Town · Virginia
Chilhowie, Virginia
Chilhowie, town, in Smyth County, Virginia. Chilhowie had 1,599 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,654 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,428 (±454). GEOID 5116480.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,599
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,654 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,428 ±454
Median household income
$51,429
±$13,051 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$153,600
±$16,212 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$802
±$118 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Chilhowie and what county is it in?
Chilhowie is a town in Smyth County, Virginia. It covers 2.5 square miles of land, 653 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Chilhowie, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,599 people lived in Chilhowie on July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020 Census counted 1,654 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,428 (±454).
| Measure | Chilhowie | Smyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,428 ±454 | 29,420 | no clear change |
| Households | 880 ±161 | 12,659 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.29 | 2.26 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 931 ±165 | 15,080 | no clear change |
Chilhowie's population since 2000
From 1,827 in 2000 to 1,599 in 2025: down 12.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Chilhowie as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Chilhowie?
The median resident of Chilhowie is 42.5 years old; 21.5% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.3%. 4.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Chilhowie | Smyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 ±8.3 | 46.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.5% ±4.9 pts | 19.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2% ±6.0 pts | 23.0% | – |
| Male | 46.4% ±4.3 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% ±3.3 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.9% ±4.4 pts | 93.4% | −6.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±3.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±2.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.4% ±2.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1% ±3.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9% ±2.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 21.4% ±6.1 pts | 23.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.8% ±4.1 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.6% ±6.2 pts | 86.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.3% ±7.0 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.9% ±4.1 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.9% ±6.9 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3% ±3.0 pts | 1.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Chilhowie earn?
Half of Chilhowie's 880 households earn less than $51,429 a year (±$13,051), against $49,883 in Smyth County and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $57,798 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chilhowie | Smyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,429 ±$13,051 | $49,883 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $67,637 ±$8,624 | $68,477 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,786 ±$3,833 | $30,460 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1% ±6.2 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.8% ±15.9 pts | 19.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.4% ±6.0 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.8% ±4.4 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.2% ±4.8 pts | 80.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Chilhowie?
Owners occupy 66.7% of Chilhowie's occupied homes and renters 33.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,600 by its owner (±$16,212). The median renter pays $802 a month including utilities, and 30.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Chilhowie | Smyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $153,600 ±$16,212 | $139,600 | −$27,681 |
| Median gross rent | $802 ±$118 | $731 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.1% ±14.5 pts | 34.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $965 ±$155 | $1,125 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.7% ±8.1 pts | 71.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 33.3% ±8.1 pts | 29.0% | – |
| Housing units | 931 ±165 | 15,080 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±12.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.0% ±8.8 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.2% ±4.7 pts | 16.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.1% ±2.9 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.2% ±3.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.6% ±3.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Chilhowie building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Chilhowie in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Chilhowie work and get to work?
75.4% of Chilhowie's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 18.8 minutes.
| Measure | Chilhowie | Smyth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.3% ±7.1 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.7% ±2.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4% ±6.5 pts | 82.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.6% ±6.1 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±4.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±4.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4% ±3.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.8 min ±2.2 | 22.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Chilhowie?
No census tract lies mostly in Chilhowie; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 307.01Smyth County | 4,822 | $49,242 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Chilhowie) · Census block assignment files
How does Chilhowie compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Chilhowie is the 8,523rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 107th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Chilhowie ranks 317th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 107th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 122nd | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 279th | 374 |
| Median household income | 317th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 339th | 374 |
| Median home value | 317th | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 294th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 105th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 264th | 359 |
| Median age | 116th | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 201st | 368 |
| Travel time to work | 329th | 372 |
Chilhowie's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Chilhowie with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Chilhowie?
16 of the 57 figures for Chilhowie on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chilhowie are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Chilhowie.