Covington city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Covington city, Virginia has a total population of 5,671, the 190th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $42,724, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Covington city Quick Facts
How Covington city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Covington city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Covington city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion town | 5,694 | $37,357 | $160,600 | 22.5% | 19.0% |
| Emporia city | 5,633 | $49,375 | $131,100 | 15.2% | 13.5% |
| Bensley CDP | 5,819 | $49,695 | $199,100 | 15.6% | 22.4% |
| Ettrick CDP | 5,760 | $54,857 | $184,400 | 26.9% | 9.2% |
| Richlands town | 5,188 | $37,382 | $107,300 | 14.8% | 28.0% |
Population Overview
Covington city is a small city located in Virginia, within Covington city. The total population is 5,671. It ranks as the 190th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Covington city is 41.5 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Covington city is $42,724. This is 53% 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 23.6%. This is 138% 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 2.4%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $80,200. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Covington city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Covington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Covington city, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Covington city, Virginia?
Covington city, Virginia has a population of 5,671 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Covington city, VA?
The median household income in Covington city is $42,724, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Covington city, VA?
The poverty rate in Covington city is 23.6%. This means approximately 1,317 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Covington city, Virginia?
Covington city's population is 79.6% White, 12.3% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Covington city, VA?
The median home value in Covington city is $80,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Covington city, Virginia?
9.6% of adults (25+) in Covington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.