Saltville, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Saltville, Virginia had a total population of 2,198, the 277th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $48,658, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Saltville Quick Facts
How Saltville 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 | 2,056 | 2,198 | +6.9% |
| Median household income | $46,098 | $48,658 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $92,000 | $96,600 | +5.0% |
How Saltville 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+)
Saltville Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 8,330 | $54,544 | 15.9% | $228,000 |
| Glade Spring | 2,135 | $81,298 | 5.4% | $174,300 |
| Emory | 1,419 | $111,667 | 3.4% | $231,400 |
| Meadowview | 871 | $74,318 | 7.5% | $171,300 |
| Damascus | 772 | $29,006 | 19.7% | $173,500 |
| Mendota | 262 | $46,012 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Saltville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 2,324 | $50,156 | $145,700 | 17.2% | 7.8% |
| Horse Pasture | 2,236 | $54,216 | $123,600 | 10.8% | 22.7% |
| Appomattox | 2,084 | $51,875 | $162,300 | 12.7% | 12.2% |
| New Market | 2,342 | $51,410 | $272,900 | 19.7% | 11.1% |
| Chilhowie | 2,428 | $51,429 | $153,600 | 24.3% | 13.1% |
Population Overview
Saltville is a small community located in Virginia, within Washington County. The total population is 2,198. It ranks as the 277th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saltville is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saltville is $48,658. This is 48% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 155% 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 5.9%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $96,600. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Saltville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Saltville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.5% vs 58.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 80.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saltville, 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 Saltville, Virginia?
Saltville, Virginia has a population of 2,198 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saltville, VA?
The median household income in Saltville is $48,658, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Saltville, VA?
The poverty rate in Saltville is 25.2%. This means approximately 554 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saltville, Virginia?
Saltville's population is 98.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saltville, VA?
The median home value in Saltville is $96,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Saltville, Virginia?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Saltville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.