Galax, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Galax, Virginia had a total population of 6,726, the 175th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $38,675, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Galax Quick Facts
How Galax 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 | 6,698 | 6,726 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $41,438 | $38,675 | -6.7% |
| Median home value | $126,800 | $141,300 | +11.4% |
How Galax 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Galax Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Galax
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmville | 7,774 | $40,966 | $238,900 | 34.0% | 20.3% |
| Marion | 5,670 | $40,896 | $172,500 | 21.4% | 20.7% |
| Collinsville | 7,139 | $52,158 | $146,700 | 24.9% | 16.3% |
| Covington | 5,680 | $41,944 | $83,500 | 9.5% | 25.7% |
| South Boston | 7,853 | $44,052 | $171,200 | 21.2% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
Galax is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 6,726. It ranks as the 175th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Galax is 42.9 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Galax is $38,675. This is 58% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.1%. This is 214% 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 5.1%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $141,300. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 56.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Galax is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.1%. The Black or African American population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Galax, 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 Galax, Virginia?
Galax, Virginia has a population of 6,726 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Galax, VA?
The median household income in Galax is $38,675, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Galax, VA?
The poverty rate in Galax is 31.1%. This means approximately 2,020 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Galax, Virginia?
Galax's population is 76.8% White, 4.9% Black, 14.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Galax, VA?
The median home value in Galax is $141,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Galax, Virginia?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Galax hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.