City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Melfa, VA

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

447
Residents
$28,250
Median income
$159,700
Median home
$1,054
Median rent (state)

Melfa - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Melfa lands in the 2nd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

2nd
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
25th
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: Melfa, VA

Melfa is a small town in Virginia, home to 447 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Melfa brings in $28,250 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.7%. Typical homes in Melfa are valued around $159,700, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. 22.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 51.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,054 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 81.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

447 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$28,250 /yr

Poverty 16.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Melfa compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 2% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 25% 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 Melfa against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Melfa toward the top of Virginia's cities

Among the 616 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Melfa ranks #92 - the 85th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Melfa only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#545 of 558
2nd percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#384 of 619
32nd percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#426 of 567
25th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#92 of 616
85th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#360 of 618
42nd 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.

2ndIncome percentile

2nd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Melfa's home value compares nationally

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

$159,700 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. Melfa $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 - Melfa, VA Melfa, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Melfa, 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 Melfa, VA median $28,250/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%
Melfa, 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 Melfa, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.7%

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

Population
447
Median Income
$28,250
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Labor force participation
51.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.3%

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 →
395 residents400 residents405 residents410 residents 202020212022202320242025 398 residents 405 residents ▲ +1.8%
Melfa's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.5%
Carpool
4.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
11.3%

Based on 168 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 Melfa sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,054/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Chase Crossing
450 people
Troutville
451 people
Ewing
441 people
Atlantic
436 people
Draper
458 people
Montross
436 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Melfa's 447 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Point, AL
447 people
Nances Creek, AL
447 people
Empire, GA
447 people
Sidell, IL
447 people
Altona, IN
447 people
Thayer, IN
447 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Melfa's $28,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Jonesville, NC
$28,257 median income
Charlotte, TX
$28,242 median income
Springhill, LA
$28,223 median income
Liberty, KY
$28,281 median income
Neelyville, MO
$28,281 median income
Bennington, OK
$28,281 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Melfa, 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 Melfa, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 59.7% 24.6% 8.3% 7.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.6% White 59.7% Black or African American 24.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.3% Two or more races 7.4% 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 Melfa 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
Melfa (this city) 447 $28,250
Chase Crossing 450 N/A
Troutville 451 $54,708
Ewing 441 $72,591
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Melfa, VA?

What is the population of Melfa, VA? +

447 people live in Melfa, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Melfa households earn a median of $28,250 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Melfa? +

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

A typical home in Melfa is worth $159,700, 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.