Bluefield, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bluefield, Virginia had a total population of 4,979, the 201st largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $54,041, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Bluefield Quick Facts
How Bluefield 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 | 5,016 | 4,979 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $53,500 | $54,041 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $161,100 | $152,500 | -5.3% |
How Bluefield 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+)
Bluefield Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Tazewell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richlands | 5,171 | $37,154 | 30.2% | $111,000 |
| Tazewell | 4,390 | $34,618 | 25.1% | $111,700 |
| Claypool Hill | 1,610 | $45,446 | 15.5% | $166,400 |
| Raven | 1,345 | $52,619 | 12.8% | $88,800 |
| Cedar Bluff | 1,167 | $37,170 | 17.4% | $111,800 |
| Gratton | 841 | $113,412 | 4.9% | $113,500 |
| Springville | 841 | $70,117 | 16.9% | N/A |
| Boissevain | 830 | $27,516 | 35.8% | $32,100 |
| Pocahontas | 234 | $42,344 | 15.4% | $38,800 |
| Pounding Mill | 222 | N/A | 4.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bluefield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | $163,000 | 15.8% | 26.2% |
| Luray | 4,827 | $50,150 | $253,900 | 18.5% | 12.3% |
| Rocky Mount | 4,950 | $63,280 | $207,000 | 21.7% | 18.6% |
| Emporia | 5,547 | $51,899 | $148,500 | 16.0% | 15.8% |
| South Hill | 4,786 | $66,023 | $242,700 | 27.6% | 15.3% |
Population Overview
Bluefield is a small community located in Virginia, within Tazewell County. The total population is 4,979. It ranks as the 201st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bluefield is 42.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bluefield is $54,041. This is 42% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $152,500. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Bluefield is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bluefield has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.5% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bluefield, 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 Bluefield, Virginia?
Bluefield, Virginia has a population of 4,979 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bluefield, VA?
The median household income in Bluefield is $54,041, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bluefield, VA?
The poverty rate in Bluefield is 15.6%. This means approximately 723 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bluefield, Virginia?
Bluefield's population is 88.5% White, 5.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bluefield, VA?
The median home value in Bluefield is $152,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Bluefield, Virginia?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Bluefield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.