City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Brookneal, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Brookneal - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,275
Residents
$45,909
Median income
$115,000
Median home
$1,187
Median rent (state)

Brookneal - the verdict

Brookneal ranks in the 14th percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

14th
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
74th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Brookneal, VA

1,275 people live in Brookneal, Virginia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Brookneal households earn a median of $45,909 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.2%. Typical homes in Brookneal are valued around $115,000, and the median resident age is 47.6 years. About 9.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 41.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Brookneal reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 744.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Brookneal's yearly average temperature at 56.5°F with 46.0 inches of precipitation per year and 7.4 inches of snowfall.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,187 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 32.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

1,275 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$45,909 /yr

Poverty 17.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Brookneal compare to other US cities?

Where Brookneal sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Virginia and the picture shifts: Brookneal ranks #12 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Brookneal against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Brookneal toward the bottom of Virginia's cities

Among the 567 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Brookneal ranks #501 - the 12th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Brookneal only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#464 of 558
17th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#351 of 619
41st percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#501 of 567
12th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#90 of 616
85th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#527 of 618
15th percentile in Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

14thIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Brookneal's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Brookneal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 54 Avg. percentile National median
Brookneal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Brookneal's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$115,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Brookneal $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Brookneal, VA Brookneal, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Brookneal, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Brookneal, VA median $45,909/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Brookneal, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Brookneal, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 41.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,275
Median Income
$45,909
Median Home Value
$115,000
Median Age
47.6
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Labor force participation
41.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
744.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
744.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.5°F
Annual Precipitation
46.0"
Annual Snowfall
7.4"

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,075 residents1,080 residents1,085 residents1,090 residents1,095 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,090 residents 1,083 residents ▼ -0.6%
Brookneal's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.5%
Carpool
18.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
5.6%
Other
0.7%

Based on 432 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Brookneal sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,187/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
32.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Gretna
1,275 people
Rustburg
1,276 people
Cape Charles
1,278 people
Buchanan
1,271 people
Jonesville
1,290 people
Glasgow
1,253 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Brookneal's 1,275 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winthrop, MN
1,275 people
Cloudcroft, NM
1,275 people
Milford, PA
1,275 people
Milam, TX
1,275 people
Point Roberts, WA
1,275 people
Redway, CA
1,276 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Brookneal's $45,909 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Von Ormy, TX
$45,909 median income
Lincoln, MT
$45,912 median income
Pathfork, KY
$45,913 median income
New Philadelphia, PA
$45,903 median income
Hawaiian Ocean View, HI
$45,917 median income
Fox Farm-College, WY
$45,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Brookneal, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Brookneal, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.1% 24.9% 8.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.3% White 67.1% Black or African American 24.9% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 8.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Brookneal compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Brookneal (this city) 1,275 $45,909
Gretna 1,275 $36,023
Rustburg 1,276 $70,771
Cape Charles 1,278 $51,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Brookneal, VA?

What is the population of Brookneal, VA? +

1,275 people live in Brookneal, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Brookneal, VA? +

Median annual household income in Brookneal runs $45,909, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Brookneal? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Brookneal; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Brookneal, VA safe? +

Brookneal has a total crime rate of 744.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Brookneal, VA? +

Homes in Brookneal carry a median value of $115,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Brookneal? +

The average annual temperature in Brookneal runs 56.5°F, 46.0 inches of precipitation, and 7.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.