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Richlands town, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 28.0% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Richlands town, Virginia has a total population of 5,188, the 198th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $37,382, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.

Key Takeaways

Richlands town Quick Facts

Population 5,188
Median Household Income $37,382
Median Home Value $107,300
Poverty Rate 28.0%
Unemployment Rate 7.7%
Median Age 41.6 years
Homeownership Rate 65.6%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 14.8%
High School Graduation Rate 86.6%
Diversity Index 5/100
Population 5,188 198th of 681
Median Income $37,382 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 28.0% 125% higher national
Median Home Value $107,300 bottom 10%

How Richlands town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3% | National: 5.2%
40.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.6%
Renter 34.4%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

5out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 60 | National average: 60

Education

Richlands town Rankings in Virginia

#198 Population of 681
#532 Median Income of 681
#502 Education of 681
#533 Home Value of 681

Cities Similar to Richlands town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Marion town5,694$37,357$160,60022.5%19.0%
Covington city5,671$42,724$80,2009.6%23.6%
Big Stone Gap town5,193$51,059$169,90018.8%23.3%
Tazewell town4,419$35,392$110,40017.6%23.2%
Bluefield town5,016$53,500$161,10031.7%14.9%

Population Overview

Richlands town is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 5,188. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Richlands town is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 11.8% 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 Richlands town is $37,382. This is 59% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 182% 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 7.7%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $107,300. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Richlands town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Richlands town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.6% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Richlands town, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Richlands town, Virginia?

Richlands town, Virginia has a population of 5,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Richlands town, VA?

The median household income in Richlands town is $37,382, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Richlands town, VA?

The poverty rate in Richlands town is 28.0%. This means approximately 1,445 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Richlands town, Virginia?

Richlands town's population is 97.6% White, 0.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Richlands town, VA?

The median home value in Richlands town is $107,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Richlands town, Virginia?

14.8% of adults (25+) in Richlands town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.