Emporia city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Emporia city, Virginia has a total population of 5,633, the 191st largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $49,375, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Emporia city Quick Facts
How Emporia city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Emporia city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Emporia city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bensley CDP | 5,819 | $49,695 | $199,100 | 15.6% | 22.4% |
| Ettrick CDP | 5,760 | $54,857 | $184,400 | 26.9% | 9.2% |
| Covington city | 5,671 | $42,724 | $80,200 | 9.6% | 23.6% |
| Big Stone Gap town | 5,193 | $51,059 | $169,900 | 18.8% | 23.3% |
| Woodstock town | 5,851 | $61,364 | $248,300 | 24.4% | 26.7% |
Population Overview
Emporia city is a small city located in Virginia, within Emporia city. The total population is 5,633. It ranks as the 191st most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emporia city is 39.5 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emporia city is $49,375. This is 46% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $131,100. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Emporia city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 38.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emporia city is Black or African American, making up 63.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.6%) is well below the state average of 59.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.6% vs 18.4%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 75.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emporia 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 Emporia city, Virginia?
Emporia city, Virginia has a population of 5,633 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emporia city, VA?
The median household income in Emporia city is $49,375, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Emporia city, VA?
The poverty rate in Emporia city is 13.5%. This means approximately 729 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emporia city, Virginia?
Emporia city's population is 19.6% White, 63.6% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emporia city, VA?
The median home value in Emporia city is $131,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Emporia city, Virginia?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Emporia city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.