Ferrum, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ferrum, Virginia had a total population of 1,774, the 297th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $40,435, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Ferrum Quick Facts
How Ferrum 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 | 1,622 | 1,774 | +9.4% |
| Median household income | $31,750 | $40,435 | +27.4% |
| Median home value | $202,500 | $188,900 | -6.7% |
How Ferrum 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+)
Ferrum Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 4,950 | $63,280 | 18.6% | $207,000 |
| North Shore | 3,638 | $109,951 | 10.3% | $504,400 |
| Westlake Corner | 2,033 | $95,000 | 5.8% | $499,000 |
| Union Hall | 1,445 | $103,125 | 4.4% | $694,100 |
| Penhook | 1,250 | $108,750 | 0.4% | $543,000 |
| Henry Fork | 805 | $70,150 | 2.9% | N/A |
| Boones Mill | 228 | $75,972 | 4.0% | $208,300 |
Cities Similar to Ferrum
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| Gate City | 1,928 | $42,857 | $163,000 | 29.3% | 16.7% |
| Victoria | 1,595 | $41,442 | $131,800 | 16.8% | 17.9% |
| Mountain Road | 1,574 | $41,250 | $119,700 | 4.6% | 14.1% |
| Tappahannock | 1,908 | $46,816 | $218,800 | 14.9% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Ferrum is a small community located in Virginia, within Franklin County. The total population is 1,774. It ranks as the 297th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ferrum is 21.8 years. This is 44% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ferrum is $40,435. This is 57% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.1%. This is 275% 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 7.3%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $188,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ferrum is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
29.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 82.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ferrum, 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 Ferrum, Virginia?
Ferrum, Virginia has a population of 1,774 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ferrum, VA?
The median household income in Ferrum is $40,435, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ferrum, VA?
The poverty rate in Ferrum is 37.1%. This means approximately 359 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ferrum, Virginia?
Ferrum's population is 75.3% White, 18.7% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ferrum, VA?
The median home value in Ferrum is $188,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Ferrum, Virginia?
29.1% of adults (25+) in Ferrum hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.