Clifton Forge, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton Forge, Virginia had a total population of 3,447, the 230th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $40,000, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Clifton Forge Quick Facts
How Clifton Forge 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 | 3,483 | 3,447 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $33,107 | $40,000 | +20.8% |
| Median home value | $106,900 | $109,500 | +2.4% |
How Clifton Forge 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+)
Clifton Forge Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Alleghany County
Cities Similar to Clifton Forge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton | 3,577 | $41,495 | $110,000 | 13.7% | 26.3% |
| Altavista | 3,342 | $51,349 | $142,900 | 27.7% | 11.9% |
| Blackstone | 3,341 | $54,570 | $140,900 | 17.6% | 26.6% |
| Lebanon | 3,116 | $53,050 | $162,400 | 19.1% | 17.8% |
| Chincoteague | 3,296 | $62,917 | $349,500 | 38.0% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Clifton Forge is a small community located in Virginia, within Alleghany County. The total population is 3,447. It ranks as the 230th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton Forge is 45.2 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.5% 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 Clifton Forge is $40,000. This is 57% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $109,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Clifton Forge is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clifton Forge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton Forge, 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 Clifton Forge, Virginia?
Clifton Forge, Virginia has a population of 3,447 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton Forge, VA?
The median household income in Clifton Forge is $40,000, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton Forge, VA?
The poverty rate in Clifton Forge is 15.1%. This means approximately 498 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton Forge, Virginia?
Clifton Forge's population is 80.5% White, 15.3% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton Forge, VA?
The median home value in Clifton Forge is $109,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Clifton Forge, Virginia?
21.0% of adults (25+) in Clifton Forge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.