Independence, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Independence, Virginia had a total population of 1,132, the 366th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $39,286, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.6%.
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.
Independence Quick Facts
How Independence 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 | 1,144 | 1,132 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $36,250 | $39,286 | +8.4% |
| Median home value | $115,700 | $122,400 | +5.8% |
How Independence 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+)
Independence Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Grayson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baywood | 681 | N/A | 20.3% | N/A |
| Fries | 330 | $33,056 | 17.0% | $121,600 |
| Troutdale | 178 | $35,000 | 18.5% | $109,400 |
| Stevens Creek | 148 | N/A | 48.0% | $43,500 |
Cities Similar to Independence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craigsville | 1,104 | $39,609 | $176,900 | 9.5% | 29.2% |
| Goochland | 1,182 | N/A | $485,700 | 51.4% | 3.4% |
| Cedar Bluff | 1,167 | $37,170 | $111,800 | 14.6% | 17.4% |
| Jolivue | 1,075 | $38,214 | $273,500 | 12.4% | 4.0% |
| Greenville | 1,183 | $41,691 | $199,200 | 18.8% | 2.2% |
Population Overview
Independence is a small community located in Virginia, within Grayson County. The total population is 1,132. It ranks as the 366th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Independence is 58.4 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.1% 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 Independence is $39,286. This is 58% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.6%. This is 139% 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 4.8%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $122,400. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Independence has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 5.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.5% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Independence, 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 Independence, Virginia?
Independence, Virginia has a population of 1,132 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Independence, VA?
The median household income in Independence is $39,286, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Independence, VA?
The poverty rate in Independence is 23.6%. This means approximately 235 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Independence, Virginia?
Independence's population is 87.5% White, 5.4% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Independence, VA?
The median home value in Independence is $122,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Independence, Virginia?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Independence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.