City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Gretna, VA

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

1,275
Residents
$36,023
Median income
$140,900
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Gretna - the verdict

Gretna ranks in the 5th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

5th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Gretna, VA

1,275 people live in Gretna, Virginia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $36,023 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 23.1%. Home values in Gretna run a median of $140,900, and the median resident age is 53.6 years. 12.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 38.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 4 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $914 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). Workers in Gretna report an average commute of 15.0 minutes, with 80.0% driving alone and 17.5% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 63.8 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

1,275 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$36,023 /yr

Poverty 23.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Gretna compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Gretna 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 Gretna near the bottom of Virginia's cities

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

Median Household Income
#522 of 558
6th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#502 of 619
0th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#460 of 567
19th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#52 of 616
91st percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#496 of 618
19th 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.

5thIncome percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Gretna's home value compares nationally

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

$140,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Gretna $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 - Gretna, VA Gretna, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA median $36,023/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%
Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 38.4%

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

Population
1,275
Median Income
$36,023
Median Home Value
$140,900
Median Age
53.6
Poverty Rate
23.1%
Labor force participation
38.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.9%

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,270 residents1,280 residents1,290 residents1,300 residents1,310 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,306 residents 1,280 residents ▼ -2.0%
Gretna's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.0 minutes
Drive Alone
80.0%
Carpool
2.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
17.5%

Based on 424 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 Gretna 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
63.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Brookneal
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 Gretna'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 Gretna's $36,023 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Everton, MO
$36,023 median income
Williamsburg, NM
$36,023 median income
Lakeside-Beebe Run, NJ
$36,029 median income
Fulton, KY
$36,037 median income
East Bakersfield, CA
$36,039 median income
Mattawamkeag, ME
$36,042 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gretna, 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 Gretna, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 59.5% 30.7% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 59.5% Black or African American 30.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.8% Two or more races 2.1% 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 Gretna 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
Gretna (this city) 1,275 $36,023
Brookneal 1,275 $45,909
Rustburg 1,276 $70,771
Cape Charles 1,278 $51,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gretna, VA?

What is the population of Gretna, VA? +

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

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

The median household income in Gretna is $36,023 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gretna? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Gretna; 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.

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

A typical home in Gretna is worth $140,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.