Gate City, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gate City, Virginia had a total population of 1,928, the 287th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $42,857, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Gate City Quick Facts
How Gate City 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 | 1,939 | 1,928 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $37,188 | $42,857 | +15.2% |
| Median home value | $158,400 | $163,000 | +2.9% |
How Gate City 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+)
Gate City Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber City | 1,504 | $47,778 | 20.3% | $155,900 |
| Nickelsville | 368 | $46,250 | 16.3% | $175,000 |
| Dungannon | 316 | $19,688 | 48.0% | $79,200 |
| Hiltons | 217 | $42,866 | 10.1% | N/A |
| Duffield | 78 | $86,875 | 1.3% | N/A |
| Clinchport | 44 | $32,500 | 40.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Gate City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart | 1,952 | $45,625 | $182,500 | 22.7% | 20.1% |
| Tappahannock | 1,908 | $46,816 | $218,800 | 14.9% | 25.2% |
| Ferrum | 1,774 | $40,435 | $188,900 | 29.1% | 37.1% |
| Mount Jackson | 2,000 | $52,297 | $193,000 | 10.8% | 16.3% |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
Population Overview
Gate City is a small community located in Virginia, within Scott County. The total population is 1,928. It ranks as the 287th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gate City is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gate City is $42,857. This is 54% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $163,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gate City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.5% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
29.3% 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 97.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gate City, 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 Gate City, Virginia?
Gate City, Virginia has a population of 1,928 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gate City, VA?
The median household income in Gate City is $42,857, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gate City, VA?
The poverty rate in Gate City is 16.7%. This means approximately 319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gate City, Virginia?
Gate City's population is 91.5% White, 2.8% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gate City, VA?
The median home value in Gate City is $163,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Gate City, Virginia?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Gate City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.