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Buchanan County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Buchanan County, Virginia has a population of 19,857, the 81st most populous county in Virginia. The median household income is $42,216 and the median home value is $91,400. The poverty rate is 23.9%.

Buchanan County Quick Facts

Population 19,857
Median Household Income $42,216
Median Home Value $91,400
Poverty Rate 23.9%
Unemployment Rate 3.6%
Median Age 47.3 years
Homeownership Rate 82.1%
Affordability Ratio 2.2x
Bachelor's Degree+ 10.8%
High School Graduation 77.5%
Cities/Places 0
Population 19,857 81st of 133
Median Income $42,216 54% lower state
Poverty Rate 23.9%
Unemployment 3.6%

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.6% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3% | National: 5.2%
35.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 82.1%
Renter 17.9%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.2x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

8out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 60 | National average: 60

Education

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Buchanan County is located in Virginia with a total population of 19,857. It is the 81st most populous county out of 133 in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Buchanan County is 47.3 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Buchanan County is $42,216. This is 54% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.9%. This is 141% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $91,400. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Buchanan County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Buchanan County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.7% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.5%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Buchanan County, Virginia?

Buchanan County has a population of 19,857, making it the 81st most populous county in Virginia.

What is the median income in Buchanan County?

The median household income in Buchanan County is $42,216 with a poverty rate of 23.9%.

How many cities are in Buchanan County, Virginia?

Buchanan County contains 0 Census-designated places.