Drakes Branch town, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Drakes Branch town is a small community located in Virginia. The total population is 475. It ranks as the 481st most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Drakes Branch town is 50.5 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 16.0% 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 Drakes Branch town is $19,620. This is 78% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 75% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.8%. This is 191% 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 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $119,100. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Drakes Branch town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 44.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (44.2% vs 18.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 10.7%.

Education

14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 76.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Drakes Branch town, 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.