Lynchburg, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lynchburg, Virginia had a total population of 79,497, the 12th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $57,947, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Lynchburg Quick Facts
How Lynchburg 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 | 79,255 | 79,497 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $59,808 | $57,947 | -3.1% |
| Median home value | $211,800 | $229,800 | +8.5% |
How Lynchburg 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+)
Lynchburg Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Lynchburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | 97,190 | $60,491 | $246,900 | 24.3% | 17.3% |
| Roanoke | 98,355 | $55,378 | $190,500 | 30.0% | 18.3% |
| Dale City | 71,016 | $111,994 | $425,500 | 33.6% | 7.0% |
| Suffolk | 98,796 | $92,666 | $347,400 | 33.3% | 9.4% |
| Harrisonburg | 51,392 | $62,254 | $299,100 | 37.5% | 25.7% |
Population Overview
Lynchburg is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 79,497. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lynchburg is 28.6 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lynchburg is $57,947. This is 38% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 88% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $229,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lynchburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
38.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 91.0%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lynchburg, 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 Lynchburg, Virginia?
Lynchburg, Virginia has a population of 79,497 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lynchburg, VA?
The median household income in Lynchburg is $57,947, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lynchburg, VA?
The poverty rate in Lynchburg is 18.6%. This means approximately 12,787 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lynchburg, Virginia?
Lynchburg's population is 59.9% White, 27.0% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lynchburg, VA?
The median home value in Lynchburg is $229,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Lynchburg, Virginia?
38.5% of adults (25+) in Lynchburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.