Motley, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Motley, Virginia had a total population of 987, the 385th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $55,529, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Motley Quick Facts
How Motley 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 | 743 | 987 | +32.8% |
| Median household income | $45,833 | $55,529 | +21.2% |
| Median home value | $120,700 | $146,900 | +21.7% |
How Motley 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+)
Motley 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 |
| Gretna | 1,452 | $33,698 | 42.2% | $138,800 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Motley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belview | 990 | $55,288 | N/A | 10.5% | 48.8% |
| Remington | 989 | $56,500 | $324,200 | 23.4% | 14.5% |
| Pembroke | 996 | $57,500 | $138,000 | 18.8% | 9.1% |
| Mathews | 941 | $55,481 | $193,400 | 17.7% | 16.1% |
| Jarratt | 989 | $61,671 | $216,700 | 36.3% | 10.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 987, Motley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Motley is a small community located in Virginia, within Pittsylvania County. The total population is 987. It ranks as the 385th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Motley is 52.6 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Motley is $55,529. This is 40% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $146,900. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Motley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Motley is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 21.6%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 72.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Motley, 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 Motley, Virginia?
Motley, Virginia has a population of 987 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Motley, VA?
The median household income in Motley is $55,529, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Motley, VA?
The poverty rate in Motley is 12.8%. This means approximately 126 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Motley, Virginia?
Motley's population is 75.3% White, 21.6% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Motley, VA?
The median home value in Motley is $146,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Motley, Virginia?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Motley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.