City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Chilhowie, VA

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

2,462
Residents
$53,250
Median income
$158,600
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Chilhowie - the verdict

Chilhowie ranks in the 25th percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
25th
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: Chilhowie, VA

Virginia's Chilhowie is a small town, with 2,462 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Chilhowie brings in $53,250 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Typical homes in Chilhowie are valued around $158,600, and the median resident age is 47.4 years. 26.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2363.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $914 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Virginia run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 57.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

2,462 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$53,250 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Chilhowie compare to other US cities?

Chilhowie measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% 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: Chilhowie ranks #79 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 Chilhowie against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Chilhowie near the bottom of Virginia's cities

Among the 619 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Chilhowie ranks #502 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chilhowie only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#409 of 558
27th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#502 of 619
0th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#429 of 567
24th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#292 of 616
52nd percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#327 of 618
47th 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.

25thIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chilhowie's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chilhowie'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Chilhowie'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 Chilhowie's home value compares nationally

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

$158,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Chilhowie $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 - Chilhowie, VA Chilhowie, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chilhowie, 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 Chilhowie, VA median $53,250/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%
Chilhowie, 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 Chilhowie, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.5%

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

Population
2,462
Median Income
$53,250
Median Home Value
$158,600
Median Age
47.4
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
50.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2363.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
124.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2238.8
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.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,580 residents1,600 residents1,620 residents1,640 residents1,660 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,654 residents 1,599 residents ▼ -3.3%
Chilhowie's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 2

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
15.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.0%
Other
3.0%

Based on 1,044 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 Chilhowie sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$914/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
57.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County)
2,461 people
Oak Grove
2,452 people
Matoaca
2,448 people
Piney Mountain
2,478 people
Goose Creek
2,519 people
Chase City
2,530 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chilhowie's 2,462 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Portola, CA
2,462 people
Jonestown, TX
2,462 people
Myersville, MD
2,464 people
Cabool, MO
2,460 people
Terre du Lac, MO
2,460 people
Hayti, PA
2,464 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chilhowie's $53,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mountainburg, AR
$53,250 median income
Kissee Mills, MO
$53,250 median income
Ribera, NM
$53,250 median income
Tribbey, OK
$53,250 median income
Sandy, PA
$53,250 median income
Tilton, IL
$53,246 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chilhowie, 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 Chilhowie, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.7% White 89.7% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 4.5% 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 Chilhowie 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
Chilhowie (this city) 2,462 $53,250
Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County) 2,461 $89,375
Oak Grove 2,452 $193,526
Matoaca 2,448 $57,445
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chilhowie, VA?

What is the population of Chilhowie, VA? +

The population of Chilhowie, VA stands at 2,462 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Chilhowie is $53,250 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chilhowie? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chilhowie; 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 Chilhowie, VA safe? +

Chilhowie has a total crime rate of 2363.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Chilhowie, VA? +

Chilhowie's median home value sits at $158,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.