Norton, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norton, Virginia had a total population of 3,577, the 227th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $41,495, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Norton Quick Facts
How Norton 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 | 3,620 | 3,577 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $38,497 | $41,495 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $100,700 | $110,000 | +9.2% |
How Norton 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+)
Norton Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Norton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Forge | 3,447 | $40,000 | $109,500 | 21.0% | 15.1% |
| Altavista | 3,342 | $51,349 | $142,900 | 27.7% | 11.9% |
| Blackstone | 3,341 | $54,570 | $140,900 | 17.6% | 26.6% |
| Lebanon | 3,116 | $53,050 | $162,400 | 19.1% | 17.8% |
| Chincoteague | 3,296 | $62,917 | $349,500 | 38.0% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Norton is a small community located in Virginia. The total population is 3,577. It ranks as the 227th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norton is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Norton is $41,495. This is 55% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 166% 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 3.8%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $110,000. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Norton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Norton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.6% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norton, 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 Norton, Virginia?
Norton, Virginia has a population of 3,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norton, VA?
The median household income in Norton is $41,495, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norton, VA?
The poverty rate in Norton is 26.3%. This means approximately 931 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norton, Virginia?
Norton's population is 91.6% White, 2.2% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norton, VA?
The median home value in Norton is $110,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Norton, Virginia?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Norton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.