Emporia city, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Emporia city is located in Virginia with a total population of 5,633. It is the 129th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

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 among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. 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%.