Merrimac, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Merrimac, Virginia had a total population of 2,733, the 255th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $53,611, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Merrimac Quick Facts
How Merrimac 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 | 2,955 | 2,733 | -7.5% |
| Median household income | $55,202 | $53,611 | -2.9% |
How Merrimac 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Merrimac Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Montgomery County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | 45,446 | $50,182 | 42.7% | $446,300 |
| Christiansburg | 22,720 | $77,147 | 11.7% | $252,600 |
| Shawsville | 1,411 | N/A | 17.4% | $101,600 |
| Plum Creek | 1,068 | $41,603 | 15.8% | N/A |
| Riner | 1,038 | $105,759 | 9.8% | $388,000 |
| Belview | 990 | $55,288 | 48.8% | N/A |
| Elliston | 952 | $47,045 | 40.6% | $255,300 |
| Prices Fork | 900 | $69,063 | 7.0% | $300,000 |
| Lafayette | 628 | $34,596 | 34.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Merrimac
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 2,916 | $53,596 | $144,700 | 25.3% | 12.5% |
| Hillsville | 2,864 | $58,000 | $159,000 | 14.8% | 22.4% |
| Dublin | 2,671 | $62,426 | $180,500 | 10.0% | 16.1% |
| Lebanon | 3,116 | $53,050 | $162,400 | 19.1% | 17.8% |
| Matoaca | 2,724 | $70,174 | $251,000 | 30.9% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Merrimac is a small community located in Virginia, within Montgomery County. The total population is 2,733. It ranks as the 255th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Merrimac is 43.7 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 7.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 20.9% 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 Merrimac is $53,611. This is 42% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. 26.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Merrimac is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 18.3%.
Education
45.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% higher 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 93.0%. Notably, 29.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Merrimac, 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 Merrimac, Virginia?
Merrimac, Virginia has a population of 2,733 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Merrimac, VA?
The median household income in Merrimac is $53,611, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Merrimac, VA?
The poverty rate in Merrimac is 12.6%. This means approximately 326 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Merrimac, Virginia?
Merrimac's population is 75.7% White, 4.5% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Merrimac, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Merrimac — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Merrimac, Virginia?
45.9% of adults (25+) in Merrimac hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.