Rural Retreat, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rural Retreat, Virginia had a total population of 1,644, the 303rd largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $61,979, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Rural Retreat Quick Facts
How Rural Retreat 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 | 1,614 | 1,644 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $60,114 | $61,979 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $167,900 | $185,800 | +10.7% |
How Rural Retreat 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+)
Rural Retreat Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Wythe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wytheville | 8,202 | $47,270 | 21.2% | $196,800 |
| Fort Chiswell | 821 | $88,719 | 3.9% | $163,300 |
| Max Meadows | 599 | $58,781 | 16.0% | $94,500 |
| Ivanhoe | 540 | $51,406 | 31.3% | $95,500 |
Cities Similar to Rural Retreat
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| East Lexington | 1,652 | $64,241 | $275,700 | 27.7% | 3.9% |
| Courtland | 1,579 | $60,673 | $235,600 | 28.3% | 13.5% |
| Edinburg | 1,671 | $56,686 | $231,500 | 18.7% | 21.1% |
| Coeburn | 1,639 | $55,104 | $112,600 | 15.1% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Rural Retreat is a small community located in Virginia, within Wythe County. The total population is 1,644. It ranks as the 303rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rural Retreat is 41.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rural Retreat is $61,979. This is 33% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.3%. This is 126% 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 2.0%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $185,800. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 82.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rural Retreat has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.6% vs 58.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rural Retreat, 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 Rural Retreat, Virginia?
Rural Retreat, Virginia has a population of 1,644 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rural Retreat, VA?
The median household income in Rural Retreat is $61,979, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rural Retreat, VA?
The poverty rate in Rural Retreat is 22.3%. This means approximately 361 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rural Retreat, Virginia?
Rural Retreat's population is 94.6% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rural Retreat, VA?
The median home value in Rural Retreat is $185,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Rural Retreat, Virginia?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Rural Retreat hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.