Difficult Run, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Difficult Run, Virginia had a total population of 9,938, the 128th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 168% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 168% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Virginia.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.5% — among the lowest in Virginia.
- 85.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Virginia.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Difficult Run Quick Facts
How Difficult Run 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 | 10,202 | 9,938 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $1,052,600 | $1,111,400 | +5.6% |
How Difficult Run 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+)
Difficult Run Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Fairfax County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centreville | 71,706 | $139,510 | 7.2% | $590,500 |
| Reston | 64,414 | $148,710 | 5.7% | $642,000 |
| McLean | 49,627 | $250,000+ | 2.9% | $1,412,700 |
| Burke | 44,029 | $185,818 | 3.2% | $747,700 |
| Annandale | 41,705 | $116,263 | 12.1% | $681,300 |
| Oakton | 36,528 | $160,663 | 4.6% | $792,100 |
| Fair Oaks | 35,545 | $123,947 | 5.7% | $608,200 |
| West Falls Church | 31,279 | $134,978 | 7.9% | $706,800 |
| Springfield | 31,154 | $125,999 | 8.9% | $640,300 |
| Tysons | 28,936 | $129,818 | 7.9% | $640,000 |
Cities Similar to Difficult Run
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 9,729 | $242,542 | $846,300 | 76.6% | 2.1% |
| Loudoun Valley Estates | 10,271 | $224,704 | $814,200 | 79.4% | 4.0% |
| Dunn Loring | 8,957 | $244,265 | $951,400 | 80.0% | 5.1% |
| Lowes Island | 11,018 | $220,833 | $793,200 | 76.1% | 1.6% |
| Independent Hill | 10,853 | $204,886 | $674,300 | 51.5% | 1.5% |
Population Overview
Difficult Run is a small city located in Virginia, within Fairfax County. The total population is 9,938. It ranks as the 128th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Difficult Run is 45.3 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Difficult Run is $250,000+. This is 168% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.5%. This is 85% 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 1.9%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $1,111,400. Housing costs are 190% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 97.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Difficult Run is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Asian residents account for 16.5%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (16.5% vs 6.9%).
Education
85.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Difficult Run in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 103% higher 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 99.5%. Notably, 48.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Difficult Run, 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 Difficult Run, Virginia?
Difficult Run, Virginia has a population of 9,938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Difficult Run, VA?
The median household income in Difficult Run is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Difficult Run, VA?
The poverty rate in Difficult Run is 1.5%. This means approximately 144 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Difficult Run, Virginia?
Difficult Run's population is 69.3% White, 1.0% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 16.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Difficult Run, VA?
The median home value in Difficult Run is $1,111,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Difficult Run, Virginia?
85.5% of adults (25+) in Difficult Run hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 48.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.