Waverly, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waverly, Virginia had a total population of 2,324, the 269th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $50,156, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.8% is notably above the national average.
Waverly Quick Facts
How Waverly 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 | 2,629 | 2,324 | -11.6% |
| Median household income | $71,154 | $50,156 | -29.5% |
| Median home value | $135,300 | $145,700 | +7.7% |
How Waverly 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+)
Waverly Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield | 1,201 | $62,386 | 7.8% | $187,800 |
| Stony Creek | 341 | $64,811 | 24.6% | $154,800 |
| Sussex | 66 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Waverly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Market | 2,342 | $51,410 | $272,900 | 19.7% | 11.1% |
| Chilhowie | 2,428 | $51,429 | $153,600 | 24.3% | 13.1% |
| Saltville | 2,198 | $48,658 | $96,600 | 10.8% | 25.2% |
| Horse Pasture | 2,236 | $54,216 | $123,600 | 10.8% | 22.7% |
| Chase City | 2,470 | $45,843 | $112,900 | 14.4% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Waverly is a small community located in Virginia, within Sussex County. The total population is 2,324. It ranks as the 269th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waverly is 38.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.9% 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 Waverly is $50,156. This is 46% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 10.8%. This is 155% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $145,700. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $383,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Waverly is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waverly is Black or African American, making up 77.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.1%) is well below the state average of 58.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (77.9% vs 18.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waverly, 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 Waverly, Virginia?
Waverly, Virginia has a population of 2,324 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waverly, VA?
The median household income in Waverly is $50,156, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waverly, VA?
The poverty rate in Waverly is 7.8%. This means approximately 176 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waverly, Virginia?
Waverly's population is 19.1% White, 77.9% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waverly, VA?
The median home value in Waverly is $145,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Waverly, Virginia?
17.2% of adults (25+) in Waverly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.