Atkins, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atkins, Virginia had a total population of 985, the 386th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $48,500, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Atkins Quick Facts
How Atkins Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,026 | 985 | -4.0% |
| Median household income | $46,432 | $48,500 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $77,700 | $86,200 | +10.9% |
How Atkins Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atkins Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Smyth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 5,670 | $40,896 | 20.7% | $172,500 |
| Chilhowie | 2,428 | $51,429 | 13.1% | $153,600 |
| Adwolf | 1,046 | $44,464 | 15.0% | $143,500 |
| Seven Mile Ford | 644 | $38,003 | 21.4% | $173,300 |
| Sugar Grove | 563 | $45,676 | 17.8% | $56,400 |
| Allison Gap | 526 | $36,635 | 25.5% | $69,900 |
| McMullin | 324 | $68,750 | 10.5% | $144,400 |
Cities Similar to Atkins
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elliston | 952 | $47,045 | $255,300 | 20.0% | 40.6% |
| Accomac | 948 | $45,986 | $251,500 | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Motley | 987 | $55,529 | $146,900 | 11.2% | 12.8% |
| Belview | 990 | $55,288 | N/A | 10.5% | 48.8% |
| Arrington | 915 | N/A | $220,600 | 41.0% | 20.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 985, Atkins's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Atkins is a small community located in Virginia, within Smyth County. The total population is 985. It ranks as the 386th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atkins is 48.9 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 12.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atkins is $48,500. This is 48% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $86,200. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Atkins is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Atkins is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.5% vs 11.0%).
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atkins, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atkins, Virginia?
Atkins, Virginia has a population of 985 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atkins, VA?
The median household income in Atkins is $48,500, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atkins, VA?
The poverty rate in Atkins is 8.2%. This means approximately 81 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atkins, Virginia?
Atkins's population is 79.8% White, 0.0% Black, 18.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atkins, VA?
The median home value in Atkins is $86,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Atkins, Virginia?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Atkins hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.