Dayton, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Virginia had a total population of 1,920, the 288th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $75,769, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Virginia.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 2,023 | 1,920 | -5.1% |
| Median household income | $87,763 | $75,769 | -13.7% |
| Median home value | $338,000 | $346,600 | +2.5% |
How Dayton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dayton Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Rockingham County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater | 6,708 | $75,280 | 6.3% | $384,700 |
| Massanetta Springs | 6,358 | $114,737 | 6.3% | $467,700 |
| Broadway | 4,273 | $64,669 | 13.3% | $284,300 |
| Timberville | 3,036 | $59,909 | 17.1% | $231,000 |
| Elkton | 3,006 | $62,031 | 9.9% | $246,800 |
| Grottoes | 2,961 | $100,291 | 9.0% | $275,700 |
| Massanutten | 2,261 | $108,207 | 1.9% | $396,900 |
| McGaheysville | 1,327 | $66,761 | 10.5% | $315,700 |
| Belmont Estates | 1,162 | $86,835 | 6.2% | $378,700 |
| Keezletown | 706 | N/A | 23.6% | $337,000 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | 1,865 | $70,841 | $220,700 | 25.7% | 9.2% |
| Narrows | 1,935 | $62,708 | $119,400 | 19.8% | 7.1% |
| Central Garage | 1,864 | $87,750 | $294,000 | 22.8% | 12.2% |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| Glade Spring | 2,135 | $81,298 | $174,300 | 24.9% | 5.4% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a small community located in Virginia, within Rockingham County. The total population is 1,920. It ranks as the 288th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 37.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $75,769. This is 19% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $346,600. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 66.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 11.0%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
38.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 89.3%. Notably, 15.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Virginia?
Dayton, Virginia has a population of 1,920 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, VA?
The median household income in Dayton is $75,769, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, VA?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 4.7%. This means approximately 91 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Virginia?
Dayton's population is 69.6% White, 3.0% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, VA?
The median home value in Dayton is $346,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Dayton, Virginia?
38.5% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.