Gretna, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gretna, Virginia had a total population of 1,452, the 324th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $33,698, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Gretna Quick Facts
How Gretna 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 | 1,275 | 1,452 | +13.9% |
| Median household income | $36,023 | $33,698 | -6.5% |
| Median home value | $140,900 | $138,800 | -1.5% |
How Gretna 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gretna Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Pittsylvania County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Hermon | 4,155 | $81,435 | 6.9% | $211,600 |
| Chatham | 1,448 | $58,661 | 7.8% | $174,300 |
| Hurt | 1,361 | $59,000 | 16.7% | $150,600 |
| Blairs | 1,062 | $49,818 | 8.8% | $158,700 |
| Motley | 987 | $55,529 | 12.8% | $146,900 |
Cities Similar to Gretna
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawsville | 1,411 | N/A | $101,600 | 15.3% | 17.4% |
| Stanleytown | 1,386 | $40,000 | $143,900 | 18.6% | 9.7% |
| Lawrenceville | 1,272 | $33,611 | $126,700 | 18.1% | 19.5% |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| Exmore | 1,571 | $29,028 | $152,400 | 10.1% | 28.9% |
Population Overview
Gretna is a small community located in Virginia, within Pittsylvania County. The total population is 1,452. It ranks as the 324th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gretna is 47.8 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 23.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gretna is $33,698. This is 64% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.2%. This is 327% 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 3.8%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $138,800. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 53.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gretna is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.7% vs 11.0%).
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 76.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gretna, 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 Gretna, Virginia?
Gretna, Virginia has a population of 1,452 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gretna, VA?
The median household income in Gretna is $33,698, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gretna, VA?
The poverty rate in Gretna is 42.2%. This means approximately 576 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gretna, Virginia?
Gretna's population is 53.7% White, 26.2% Black, 18.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gretna, VA?
The median home value in Gretna is $138,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Gretna, Virginia?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Gretna hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.