Radford, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Radford, Virginia had a total population of 16,726, the 84th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $57,348, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
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.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Radford Quick Facts
How Radford 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 | 16,505 | 16,726 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $52,791 | $57,348 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $211,700 | $220,700 | +4.3% |
How Radford 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+)
Radford Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Radford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 16,849 | $50,404 | $184,100 | 24.8% | 17.9% |
| Front Royal | 15,296 | $64,838 | $314,400 | 18.8% | 14.3% |
| East Highland Park | 15,265 | $64,681 | $229,200 | 26.9% | 12.8% |
| Highland Springs | 14,296 | $57,599 | $227,300 | 23.0% | 19.0% |
| Hollins | 17,097 | $77,456 | $244,300 | 26.1% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Radford is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 16,726. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Radford is 23.3 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Radford is $57,348. This is 38% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 190% 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 8.1%. This is 90% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $220,700. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 42.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Radford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 93.8%. Notably, 18.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Radford, 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 Radford, Virginia?
Radford, Virginia has a population of 16,726 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Radford, VA?
The median household income in Radford is $57,348, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Radford, VA?
The poverty rate in Radford is 28.7%. This means approximately 3,904 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Radford, Virginia?
Radford's population is 80.9% White, 9.2% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Radford, VA?
The median home value in Radford is $220,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Radford, Virginia?
37.9% of adults (25+) in Radford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.