Blacksburg, VA

Census Place

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2021 Population

44,385

0.0225% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

21.9

0.459% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

45.2%

2.15% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$43,804

5.02% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$335,200

8.2% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

17,724

5.68% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Blacksburg, VA had a population of 44.4k people with a median age of 21.9 and a median household income of $43,804. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Blacksburg, VA declined from 44,395 to 44,385, a −0.0225% decrease and its median household income grew from $41,711 to $43,804, a 5.02% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Blacksburg, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (76.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (11.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.85%), White (Hispanic) (2.68%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.92%).

None of the households in Blacksburg, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

90.7% of the residents in Blacksburg, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Blacksburg, VA are Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (10,192 degrees awarded in 2021) and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (442806) (475 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Blacksburg, VA was $335,200, and the homeownership rate was 33.6%.

Most people in Blacksburg, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 14.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Blacksburg, VA was 2 cars per household.

United States Virginia Montgomery County, VA Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA New River Valley Planning District Commission PUMA, VA

Population & Diversity

Blacksburg, VA is home to a population of 44.4k people, from which 90.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 13.2% of Blacksburg, VA residents were born outside of the country (5.88k people).

In 2021, there were 6.44 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (33.9k people) in Blacksburg, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.26k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 2.15k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

90.7%

2021 Citizenship

89.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 90.7% of Blacksburg, VA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Blacksburg, VA was 89.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Blacksburg, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Blacksburg, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
33.9k ± 680
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
5.26k ± 538
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.15k ± 331

3.82%

Hispanic Population

1.7k people

3.82% of the people in Blacksburg, VA are hispanic (1.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Blacksburg, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
109,039 ± 8,055 people
India
96,011 ± 7,565 people
Mexico
59,097 ± 5,948 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 109,039 Virginia residents, followed by India with 96,011 and Mexico with 59,097.

Foreign-Born Population

13.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

5.88k people

14.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.31k people

As of 2021, 13.2% of Blacksburg, VA residents (5.88k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Blacksburg, VA was 14.2%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Blacksburg, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
211 ± 128
Vietnam
206 ± 81
Gulf War (1990s)
59 ± 60

Blacksburg, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.02 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Blacksburg, VA employs 17.7k people. The largest industries in Blacksburg, VA are Educational Services (7,099 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,374 people), and Retail Trade (1,666 people), and the highest paying industries are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($102,781), Manufacturing ($59,432), and Construction ($54,750).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $63,894. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

17.7k

2021 Value

± 1,152

−5.68%

1 Year decline

± 9.45%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Blacksburg, VA declined at a rate of −5.68%, from 18.8k employees to 17.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Blacksburg, VA, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (4,371 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,906 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,626 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Blacksburg, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

17.7k

2021 Value

± 1,152

−5.68%

1 Year decline

± 9.45%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Blacksburg, VA declined at a rate of −5.68%, from 18.8k employees to 17.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Blacksburg, VA, are Educational Services (7,099 people), Accommodation & Food Services (2,374 people), and Retail Trade (1,666 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Blacksburg, VA, though some of these residents may live in Blacksburg, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$25,303

Median earning men ± $2,387

$22,042

Median earning women ± $2,713

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($103,031), Public Administration ($68,542), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($60,060).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($60,725), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($43,466), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,690).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.7B, followed by Electronics ($29B) and Machinery ($23.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$313B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

95.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $313B. This is expected to increase 95.3% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Virginia to other states, or from other states to Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $26B, followed by Maryland with $18.5B and Pennsylvania and $12.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Blacksburg, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (54.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.45%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Blacksburg, VA awarded 10,667 degrees. The student population of Blacksburg, VA in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 22,304 male students and 17,251 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Blacksburg, VA are White (6,803 and 70.4%), followed by Asian (983 and 10.2%), Hispanic or Latino (712 and 7.37%), and Black or African American (461 and 4.77%).

The largest universities in Blacksburg, VA by number of degrees awarded are Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (10,192 and 95.5%) and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (442806) (475 and 4.45%).

The most popular majors in Blacksburg, VA are General Computer & Information Sciences (488 and 4.57%), Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy. (475 and 4.45%), and Mechanical Engineering (466 and 4.37%).

The median tuition cost in Blacksburg, VA for a public four year colleges is $11,750 for in-state students and $30,829 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Blacksburg, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 56.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 28.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 39,555 (56.4% men and 43.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 39,555 students enrolled in Blacksburg, VA, 56.4% men and 43.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 23,332 records, of which 45.1% were women and 54.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Mechanical Engineering
376 degree-majors awarded
General Computer & Information Sciences
365 degree-majors awarded
Management Science
460 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Blacksburg, VA was Mechanical Engineering with 376 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Blacksburg, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
10,192 degrees awarded
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (442806)
475 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with 10,192 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 5,742 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Blacksburg, VA, which is 1.17 times more than the 4,925 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,803 degrees mean that there were 6.92 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 983 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($11,750) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,424) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Measure

In 2021, 0.836% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.859% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.68M), Bachelors Degree (1.44M), and Some college (1.41M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Blacksburg, VA was $335,200 in 2021, which is 1.37 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $309,800 to $335,200, a 8.2% increase. The homeownership rate in Blacksburg, VA is 33.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Blacksburg, VA have an average commute time of 14.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Blacksburg, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$335,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$16,764

$4,270

Median Property Taxes

±$468

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Blacksburg, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Blacksburg, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

33.6%

Homeownership

2021

65.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 33.6% of the housing units in Blacksburg, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 33.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Blacksburg, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 206
Census Tract 205

The following map shows all of the places in Blacksburg, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$43,804

Median Household Income

± $6,096

12.7k

Number of Households

± 921

In 2021, the median household income of the 12.7k households in Blacksburg, VA grew to $43,804 from the previous year's value of $41,711.

The following chart displays the households in Blacksburg, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Blacksburg, VA is from Virginia.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2021, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.381% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (56.4%)
Worked At Home (15.3%)
Walked (9.78%)

In 2021, 56.4% of workers in Blacksburg, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15.3%) and those who walked to work (9.78%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

14.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Blacksburg, VA have a shorter commute time (14.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.825% of the workforce in Blacksburg, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Blacksburg, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Blacksburg, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Blacksburg, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

45.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Blacksburg, VA (15.9k out of 35.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Blacksburg, VA is White, followed by Asian and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

95.2% of the population of Blacksburg, VA has health coverage, with 67.3% on employee plans, 3.89% on Medicaid, 5.64% on Medicare, 16.6% on non-group plans, and 1.83% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Montgomery County, VA see 1471 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.03% increase from the previous year (1456 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1929 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 367 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Montgomery County, VA.

1,471 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Montgomery County, VA

Primary care physicians in Montgomery County, VA see an average of 1,471 patients per year. This represents a 1.03% increase from the previous year (1,456 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Montgomery County, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.4% under 18 years, 55.5% between 18 and 34 years, 16.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 7.31% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 53.3% were men and 46.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

4.76%

Uninsured

67.3%

Employer Coverage

3.89%

Medicaid

5.64%

Medicare

16.6%

Non-Group

1.83%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Blacksburg, VA grew by 26.2% from 3.77% to 4.76%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Blacksburg, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.