Emporia, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emporia, Virginia had a total population of 5,547, the 194th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $51,899, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Emporia Quick Facts
How Emporia 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 | 5,633 | 5,547 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $49,375 | $51,899 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $131,100 | $148,500 | +13.3% |
How Emporia 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+)
Emporia Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Emporia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bensley | 5,949 | $50,547 | $218,500 | 17.6% | 22.0% |
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | $163,000 | 15.8% | 26.2% |
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | $211,200 | 26.0% | 12.9% |
| Bluefield | 4,979 | $54,041 | $152,500 | 29.8% | 15.6% |
| Covington | 5,680 | $41,944 | $83,500 | 9.5% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Emporia is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 5,547. It ranks as the 194th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emporia is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emporia is $51,899. This is 44% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $148,500. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Emporia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 38.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emporia is Black or African American, making up 64.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.3%) is well below the state average of 58.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (64.3% vs 18.3%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 80.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emporia, 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 Emporia, Virginia?
Emporia, Virginia has a population of 5,547 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emporia, VA?
The median household income in Emporia is $51,899, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emporia, VA?
The poverty rate in Emporia is 15.8%. This means approximately 842 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emporia, Virginia?
Emporia's population is 18.3% White, 64.3% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emporia, VA?
The median home value in Emporia is $148,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Emporia, Virginia?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Emporia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.