Damascus, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Damascus, Virginia had a total population of 772, the 421st largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $29,006, which is 69% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 69% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Damascus Quick Facts
How Damascus 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 | 766 | 772 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $33,173 | $29,006 | -12.6% |
| Median home value | $186,300 | $173,500 | -6.9% |
How Damascus 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+)
Damascus Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 8,330 | $54,544 | 15.9% | $228,000 |
| Saltville | 2,198 | $48,658 | 25.2% | $96,600 |
| Glade Spring | 2,135 | $81,298 | 5.4% | $174,300 |
| Emory | 1,419 | $111,667 | 3.4% | $231,400 |
| Meadowview | 871 | $74,318 | 7.5% | $171,300 |
| Mendota | 262 | $46,012 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Damascus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esmont | 751 | N/A | $205,700 | 19.7% | 6.5% |
| Keezletown | 706 | N/A | $337,000 | 19.2% | 23.6% |
| Boissevain | 830 | $27,516 | $32,100 | 6.2% | 35.8% |
| Baywood | 681 | N/A | N/A | 10.4% | 20.3% |
| Arrington | 915 | N/A | $220,600 | 41.0% | 20.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 772, Damascus'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
Damascus is a small community located in Virginia, within Washington County. The total population is 772. It ranks as the 421st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Damascus is 45.7 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.7% 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 Damascus is $29,006. This is 69% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 99% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $173,500. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 48.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Damascus has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.4% vs 58.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 82.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Damascus, 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 Damascus, Virginia?
Damascus, Virginia has a population of 772 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Damascus, VA?
The median household income in Damascus is $29,006, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Damascus, VA?
The poverty rate in Damascus is 19.7%. This means approximately 152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Damascus, Virginia?
Damascus's population is 93.4% White, 0.0% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Damascus, VA?
The median home value in Damascus is $173,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Damascus, Virginia?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Damascus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.