Living in Appalachia, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Appalachia · Census data 2020–2024
Appalachia has 1,391 residents with a median age of 43.3. The median household income is $43,068 (54% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $67,100, the median rent is $766/month.
Appalachia is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Appalachia at a glance
- Population
- 1,391
- Median age
- 43.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $43,068State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $67,100State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $766/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 70.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.2%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Appalachia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 83% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 54% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 13.1%; a poverty rate of 28.3%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Appalachia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Appalachia the median home value is $67,100, 80% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $766 per month, which is 28.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,233 a month in housing costs.
Appalachia median household income
The median household income in Appalachia is $43,068 and the income per person is $23,969. 28.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Appalachia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 836
- Owner-occupied
- 70.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.2%
- Vacant
- 27.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.31
Appalachia demographics
- Population
- 1,391
- Median age
- 43.3
- Under 18
- 22.9%
- 65 and older
- 17%
- Households
- 603
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 8.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Appalachia ›
Education in Appalachia
18.2% of adults 25 and older in Appalachia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 5.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Appalachia
- Unemployment rate
- 13.1%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 12.4%
- Drive alone
- 83%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 77.8%
Appalachia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachia | 1,391 | $43,068 | $67,100 | $766 |
| Stonega | 151 | $39,712 | $63,900 | — |
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | $163,000 | $797 |
| Big Stone Gap East | 567 | $20,938 | $168,100 | $870 |
| East Stone Gap | 683 | $90,484 | $114,000 | — |
| Dunbar | 115 | $14,527 | — | — |
| Lynch | 709 | $30,114 | $58,600 | $889 |
| Benham | 725 | $44,946 | $53,000 | $769 |
| Norton | 3,577 | $41,495 | $110,000 | $692 |
More for people moving to Appalachia
Appalachia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Appalachia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Appalachia, VA?
The median household income in Appalachia is $43,068, 54% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Appalachia?
The median home value in Appalachia is $67,100, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Appalachia?
The median gross rent in Appalachia is $766 per month, about 28.7% of household income.
Is Appalachia, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 83% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 54% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 13.1%; a poverty rate of 28.3%.
What is the median age in Appalachia?
The median age in Appalachia is 43.3 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Appalachia?
The average commute to work in Appalachia is 23 minutes; 12.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Appalachia?
The unemployment rate in Appalachia is 13.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Appalachia?
18.2% of adults in Appalachia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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