City · Virginia
Radford, Virginia
Radford, city, in Radford city, Virginia. Radford had 17,243 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 16,070 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 16,726 (controlled total). GEOID 5165392.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,243
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,070 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,726
Median household income
$57,348
±$6,243 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$220,700
±$21,395 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,033
±$106 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Radford and what county is it in?
Radford is a city in Radford city, Virginia. It covers 9.7 square miles of land, 1,661 residents per square mile in 2020.
Radford is in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Radford covers the same area as Radford city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Radford's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Radford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 17,243 people lived in Radford on July 1, 2025, up 7.3% since 2020, faster than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020 Census counted 16,070 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 16,726.
| Measure | Radford | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,726 | 8,705,170 | −965 |
| Households | 5,540 ±249 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46 ±0.11 | 2.52 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 6,459 ±35 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
Radford's population since 2000
From 15,859 in 2000 to 17,243 in 2025: up 8.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Radford as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Radford?
The median resident of Radford is 23.3 years old; 12.5% are under 18 and 9.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.2%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Radford | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 23.3 ±0.4 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 12.5% ±0.6 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.6% ±0.7 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 44.3% ±1.2 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 11.0% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.9% ±0.4 pts | 58.4% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.2% ±0.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±0.3 pts | 6.9% | +0.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7% ±0.8 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1% ±0.7 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7% ±1.1 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9% ±1.2 pts | 6.9% | −3.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8% ±2.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.9% ±4.6 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.7% ±3.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 72.8% ±3.5 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4% ±1.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Radford earn?
Half of Radford's 5,540 households earn less than $57,348 a year (±$6,243), against $57,348 in Radford city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,671 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,678 after inflation. 28.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Radford | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,348 ±$6,243 | $93,170 | +$12,678 |
| Mean household income | $74,233 ±$8,142 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,815 ±$2,778 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.7% ±4.3 pts | 9.9% | −7.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.6% ±11.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.2% ±3.4 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.5% ±2.1 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4% ±2.8 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Radford?
Owners occupy 42.3% of Radford's occupied homes and renters 57.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $220,700 by its owner (±$21,395). The median renter pays $1,033 a month including utilities, and 46.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Radford | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $220,700 ±$21,395 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,033 ±$106 | $1,579 | +$137 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.6% ±7.1 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,318 ±$110 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 42.3% ±3.7 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 57.7% ±3.7 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 6,459 ±35 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7% ±3.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.2% ±4.3 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.9% ±1.3 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5% ±2.4 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.3% ±1.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Radford building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units in Radford in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Radford work and get to work?
78.1% of Radford's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.1%.
| Measure | Radford | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0% ±3.3 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.1% ±2.9 pts | 4.3% | +3.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1% ±3.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1% ±2.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 9.9% ±2.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3% ±1.5 pts | 18.3% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.3 min ±1.4 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Radford?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Radford (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $31,705 (Tract 101.01) to $80,441 (Tract 101.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 101.02Radford city | 4,943 | $80,441 |
| Tract 101.01Radford city | 4,317 | $31,705 |
| Tract 102.01Radford city | 4,042 | $66,394 |
| Tract 102.02Radford city | 3,424 | $64,911 |
Every census tract in Radford: the tract table of Radford city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Radford) · Census block assignment files
How does Radford compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Radford is the 2,185th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 30th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Radford ranks 289th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 30th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 15th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 164th | 374 |
| Median household income | 289th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 338th | 374 |
| Median home value | 273rd | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 239th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 9th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 168th | 359 |
| Median age | 362nd | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 341st | 368 |
| Work from home | 283rd | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 337th | 372 |
Radford's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Radford with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Radford?
7 of the 57 figures for Radford on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Radford are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Radford.