City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Pennington Gap, VA

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

2,020
Residents
$22,857
Median income
$86,900
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Pennington Gap - the verdict

Nationally, Pennington Gap sits in the 1st percentile for household income and the 53rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

1st
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
53rd
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: Pennington Gap, VA

Pennington Gap is a small town in Virginia, home to 2,020 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $22,857 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 45.1%. Home values in Pennington Gap run a median of $86,900, and the median resident age is 32.5 years. Educational attainment runs 10.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 29.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Pennington Gap reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1276.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 54.8°F with 49.7 inches of precipitation per year and 9.3 inches of snowfall.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $914 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 57.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

2,020 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$22,857 /yr

Poverty 45.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Pennington Gap compare to other US cities?

Here's how Pennington Gap stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 1% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 53% 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: Pennington Gap ranks #38 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 Pennington Gap 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 Pennington Gap near the bottom of Virginia's cities

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

Median Household Income
#554 of 558
1st percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#502 of 619
0th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#546 of 567
4th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#11 of 616
98th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#524 of 618
15th 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.

1stIncome percentile
53rdSafety percentile

1st percentile nationally for median household income · 53rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pennington Gap's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pennington Gap'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Pennington Gap'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 Pennington Gap's home value compares nationally

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

$86,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Pennington Gap $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 - Pennington Gap, VA Pennington Gap, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pennington Gap, 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 Pennington Gap, VA median $22,857/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%
Pennington Gap, 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 Pennington Gap, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 45.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 29.8%

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

Population
2,020
Median Income
$22,857
Median Home Value
$86,900
Median Age
32.5
Poverty Rate
45.1%
Labor force participation
29.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1276.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1276.3
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
49.7"
Annual Snowfall
9.3"

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 →
1,560 residents1,580 residents1,600 residents1,620 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,609 residents 1,568 residents ▼ -2.5%
Pennington Gap's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.7%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
7.4%

Based on 393 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 Pennington Gap 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
57.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

East Lexington
2,020 people
Dayton
2,023 people
Mount Jackson
2,048 people
Saltville
2,056 people
Lake Holiday
2,059 people
Mason Neck
2,059 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pennington Gap's 2,020 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hillsboro Beach, FL
2,020 people
Schofield, WI
2,020 people
Jamestown, KY
2,021 people
Thomaston, ME
2,021 people
Bay Springs, MS
2,021 people
South Park, WY
2,021 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pennington Gap's $22,857 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Enfield, NC
$22,852 median income
Ringgold, LA
$22,833 median income
East Cleveland, OH
$22,883 median income
Ramos comunidad, PR
$22,824 median income
Glen Allan, MS
$22,813 median income
Hermitage, MO
$22,813 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pennington Gap, 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 Pennington Gap, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.1% White 94.7% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 2.6% 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 Pennington Gap 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
Pennington Gap (this city) 2,020 $22,857
East Lexington 2,020 $70,500
Dayton 2,023 $87,763
Mount Jackson 2,048 $55,521
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pennington Gap, VA?

What is the population of Pennington Gap, VA? +

The population of Pennington Gap, VA stands at 2,020 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pennington Gap, VA? +

Median annual household income in Pennington Gap runs $22,857, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pennington Gap? +

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

Pennington Gap has a total crime rate of 1276.3 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 Pennington Gap, VA? +

A typical home in Pennington Gap is worth $86,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Pennington Gap? +

Climate normals put Pennington Gap's yearly average temperature at 54.8°F, 49.7 inches of precipitation, and 9.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.