South Hill, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Hill, Virginia had a total population of 4,786, the 205th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $66,023, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South Hill Quick Facts
How South Hill 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 | 4,737 | 4,786 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $58,633 | $66,023 | +12.6% |
| Median home value | $182,100 | $242,700 | +33.3% |
How South Hill 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+)
South Hill Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mecklenburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase City | 2,470 | $45,843 | 17.1% | $112,900 |
| Bracey | 1,242 | $64,605 | 3.1% | $238,300 |
| La Crosse | 550 | $33,750 | 35.2% | $105,400 |
| Brodnax | 414 | $82,396 | 2.4% | $127,500 |
| Boydton | 269 | $53,250 | 14.9% | $159,100 |
| Fairview | 240 | N/A | 33.6% | N/A |
| Baskerville | 178 | $46,042 | 55.1% | N/A |
| Union Level | 143 | N/A | 19.6% | $153,900 |
| Thynedale | 86 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to South Hill
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 4,950 | $63,280 | $207,000 | 21.7% | 18.6% |
| Broadway | 4,273 | $64,669 | $284,300 | 28.3% | 13.3% |
| Orange | 5,066 | $76,370 | $273,300 | 21.0% | 14.1% |
| Bluefield | 4,979 | $54,041 | $152,500 | 29.8% | 15.6% |
| Luray | 4,827 | $50,150 | $253,900 | 18.5% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
South Hill is a small community located in Virginia, within Mecklenburg County. The total population is 4,786. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Hill is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 15.0% 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 South Hill is $66,023. This is 29% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $242,700. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 54.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Hill is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.1% vs 18.3%).
Education
27.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Hill, 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 South Hill, Virginia?
South Hill, Virginia has a population of 4,786 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Hill, VA?
The median household income in South Hill is $66,023, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Hill, VA?
The poverty rate in South Hill is 15.3%. This means approximately 716 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Hill, Virginia?
South Hill's population is 47.8% White, 38.1% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Hill, VA?
The median home value in South Hill is $242,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is South Hill, Virginia?
27.6% of adults (25+) in South Hill hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.