Rio, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio, Virginia had a total population of 1,252, the 351st largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $56,250, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
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.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Rio Quick Facts
How Rio 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 | 1,213 | 1,252 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $65,703 | $56,250 | -14.4% |
How Rio 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rio Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Albemarle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crozet | 9,289 | $129,417 | 7.1% | $547,200 |
| University of Virginia | 9,065 | $52,546 | 23.8% | $442,600 |
| Hollymead | 8,482 | $118,250 | 4.3% | $435,300 |
| Pantops | 4,665 | $127,552 | 3.5% | $522,900 |
| Piney Mountain | 2,288 | $138,636 | 2.7% | $296,000 |
| Rivanna | 2,211 | $146,328 | 4.6% | $852,400 |
| Earlysville | 1,222 | $142,060 | 5.6% | $478,400 |
| Ivy | 794 | $189,072 | 3.1% | $645,600 |
| Esmont | 751 | N/A | 6.5% | $205,700 |
| Scottsville | 510 | $40,417 | 21.8% | $309,600 |
Cities Similar to Rio
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boswell's Corner | 1,239 | N/A | N/A | 17.8% | 3.9% |
| Goochland | 1,182 | N/A | $485,700 | 51.4% | 3.4% |
| Bracey | 1,242 | $64,605 | $238,300 | 32.3% | 3.1% |
| Wakefield | 1,201 | $62,386 | $187,800 | 28.5% | 7.8% |
| Glasgow | 1,330 | $51,827 | $131,300 | 11.9% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Rio is a small community located in Virginia, within Albemarle County. The total population is 1,252. It ranks as the 351st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio is 28.6 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio is $56,250. This is 40% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 124% 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 8.0%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. 2.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 96% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rio is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.2% vs 11.0%).
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio, 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 Rio, Virginia?
Rio, Virginia has a population of 1,252 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio, VA?
The median household income in Rio is $56,250, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio, VA?
The poverty rate in Rio is 22.2%. This means approximately 276 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio, Virginia?
Rio's population is 43.5% White, 26.0% Black, 22.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Rio — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Rio, Virginia?
31.2% of adults (25+) in Rio hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.