Galax city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Galax city, Virginia has a total population of 6,698, the 176th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $41,438, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Galax city Quick Facts
How Galax 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+)
Galax city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Galax city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford town | 6,703 | $47,697 | $192,600 | 19.5% | 20.4% |
| Farmville town | 7,613 | $40,282 | $223,700 | 28.5% | 22.1% |
| Buena Vista city | 6,612 | $54,458 | $153,500 | 24.7% | 22.0% |
| South Boston town | 7,896 | $41,102 | $157,300 | 19.5% | 26.3% |
| Covington city | 5,671 | $42,724 | $80,200 | 9.6% | 23.6% |
Population Overview
Galax city is a small city located in Virginia, within Galax city. The total population is 6,698. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Galax city is 41.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Galax city is $41,438. This is 54% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.4%. This is 136% 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 5.5%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $126,800. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Galax city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.8%. The Black or African American population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 83.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Galax 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 Galax city, Virginia?
Galax city, Virginia has a population of 6,698 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Galax city, VA?
The median household income in Galax city is $41,438, which is 47% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Galax city, VA?
The poverty rate in Galax city is 23.4%. This means approximately 1,503 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Galax city, Virginia?
Galax city's population is 75.8% White, 4.9% Black, 15.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Galax city, VA?
The median home value in Galax city is $126,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Galax city, Virginia?
18.3% of adults (25+) in Galax city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.