City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Clifton Forge, VA

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

3,483
Residents
$33,107
Median income
$106,900
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Clifton Forge - the verdict

Nationally, Clifton Forge sits in the 4th percentile for household income and the 38th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

4th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
38th
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: Clifton Forge, VA

Clifton Forge is a small town in Virginia, home to 3,483 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Clifton Forge brings in $33,107 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.1%. Typical homes in Clifton Forge are valued around $106,900, and the median resident age is 46.1 years. 18.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 36.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Clifton Forge (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Clifton Forge reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1767.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Virginia scores 101.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $914 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). Commute times here average 24.3 minutes, with 95.2% driving alone and 2.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 9.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

3,483 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$33,107 /yr

Poverty 14.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Clifton Forge compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 38% 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: Clifton Forge ranks #58 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Clifton Forge's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

4thIncome percentile
38thSafety percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income · 38th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Clifton Forge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Clifton Forge'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Clifton Forge'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 Clifton Forge's home value compares nationally

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

$106,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% 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. Clifton Forge $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 - Clifton Forge, VA Clifton Forge, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Clifton Forge, 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 Clifton Forge, VA median $33,107/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%
Clifton Forge, 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 Clifton Forge, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 36.7%

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

Population
3,483
Median Income
$33,107
Median Home Value
$106,900
Median Age
46.1
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Labor force participation
36.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1767.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
209.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1557.4
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 →
3,300 residents3,400 residents3,500 residents3,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,539 residents 3,372 residents ▼ -4.7%
Clifton Forge's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.3 minutes
Drive Alone
95.2%
Carpool
2.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.2%

Based on 1,003 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 Clifton Forge 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
9.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Gloucester Courthouse
3,509 people
West Point
3,439 people
Dahlgren
3,417 people
Lake Land'Or
3,581 people
Altavista
3,356 people
Norton
3,620 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Clifton Forge's 3,483 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hillsboro, MO
3,483 people
French Camp, CA
3,482 people
Vineyards, FL
3,484 people
Nicholls, GA
3,484 people
Kekaha, HI
3,482 people
Durand, MI
3,485 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Clifton Forge's $33,107 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Atmore, AL
$33,104 median income
San Antonio comunidad (Quebradillas Municipio), PR
$33,103 median income
Denmark, SC
$33,100 median income
Aliceville, AL
$33,125 median income
Waldo, AL
$33,125 median income
Storrs, CT
$33,125 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Clifton Forge, 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 Clifton Forge, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.8% 15.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.1% White 79.8% Black or African American 15.9% Asian 0.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 2.2% 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 Clifton Forge 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
Clifton Forge (this city) 3,483 $33,107
Gloucester Courthouse 3,509 $88,493
West Point 3,439 $83,475
Dahlgren 3,417 $106,071
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Clifton Forge, VA?

What is the population of Clifton Forge, VA? +

The population of Clifton Forge, VA stands at 3,483 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Clifton Forge, VA? +

Clifton Forge households earn a median of $33,107 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Clifton Forge? +

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

Clifton Forge has a total crime rate of 1767.0 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 Clifton Forge, VA? +

Homes in Clifton Forge carry a median value of $106,900, 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 Editorial

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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.