Richlands, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Richlands, Virginia had a total population of 5,171, the 197th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $37,154, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Richlands Quick Facts
How Richlands 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 | 5,188 | 5,171 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $37,382 | $37,154 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $107,300 | $111,000 | +3.4% |
How Richlands 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+)
Richlands Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Tazewell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | 4,979 | $54,041 | 15.6% | $152,500 |
| Tazewell | 4,390 | $34,618 | 25.1% | $111,700 |
| Claypool Hill | 1,610 | $45,446 | 15.5% | $166,400 |
| Raven | 1,345 | $52,619 | 12.8% | $88,800 |
| Cedar Bluff | 1,167 | $37,170 | 17.4% | $111,800 |
| Gratton | 841 | $113,412 | 4.9% | $113,500 |
| Springville | 841 | $70,117 | 16.9% | N/A |
| Boissevain | 830 | $27,516 | 35.8% | $32,100 |
| Pocahontas | 234 | $42,344 | 15.4% | $38,800 |
| Pounding Mill | 222 | N/A | 4.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Richlands
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 5,670 | $40,896 | $172,500 | 21.4% | 20.7% |
| Covington | 5,680 | $41,944 | $83,500 | 9.5% | 25.7% |
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | $163,000 | 15.8% | 26.2% |
| Tazewell | 4,390 | $34,618 | $111,700 | 16.3% | 25.1% |
| Luray | 4,827 | $50,150 | $253,900 | 18.5% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Richlands is a small city located in Virginia, within Tazewell County. The total population is 5,171. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Richlands is 44.5 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.8% 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 is $37,154. This is 60% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.2%. This is 205% 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 5.5%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $111,000. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 63.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Richlands has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.6% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
13.5% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Richlands, 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 Richlands, Virginia?
Richlands, Virginia has a population of 5,171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Richlands, VA?
The median household income in Richlands is $37,154, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Richlands, VA?
The poverty rate in Richlands is 30.2%. This means approximately 1,558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Richlands, Virginia?
Richlands's population is 97.6% White, 0.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Richlands, VA?
The median home value in Richlands is $111,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Richlands, Virginia?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Richlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.