Lee County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lee County is located in Virginia with a total population of 22,042. It is the 77th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lee County is 45.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lee County is $42,269. This is 54% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.6%. This is 178% 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 9.3%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $98,700. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Lee County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Lee County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.8% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 69% 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 82.3%.