City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Richlands, VA

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

5,188
Residents
$37,382
Median income
$107,300
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Richlands - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Richlands lands in the 6th percentile for household income and the 41st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
41st
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: Richlands, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 5,188 residents in Richlands, a small town within Virginia. The typical household in Richlands brings in $37,382 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.4%. Home values in Richlands run a median of $107,300, and the median resident age is 41.6 years. Educational attainment runs 14.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 36.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Richlands reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1647.8 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 53.4°F with 44.6 inches of precipitation per year and 17.6 inches of snowfall.

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). Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

5,188 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$37,382 /yr

Poverty 19.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Richlands compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 41% 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: Richlands ranks #51 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 Richlands 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 Richlands near the bottom of Virginia's cities

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

Median Household Income
#515 of 558
8th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#502 of 619
0th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#519 of 567
8th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#74 of 616
88th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#473 of 618
23rd 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.

6thIncome percentile
41stSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 41st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Richlands's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Richlands'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
Richlands'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 Richlands's home value compares nationally

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

$107,300 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. Richlands $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 - Richlands, VA Richlands, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA median $37,382/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%
Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 36.8%

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

Population
5,188
Median Income
$37,382
Median Home Value
$107,300
Median Age
41.6
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Labor force participation
36.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1647.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
397.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1250.7
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
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
44.6"
Annual Snowfall
17.6"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,000 residents5,100 residents5,200 residents5,300 residents5,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,278 residents 5,051 residents ▼ -4.3%
Richlands's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.1%
Carpool
9.2%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
4.2%

Based on 1,555 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 Richlands 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
60.2 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Bealeton
5,193 people
Big Stone Gap
5,193 people
Falmouth
5,036 people
Bluefield
5,016 people
Chamberlayne
5,000 people
Orange
5,000 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Richlands's 5,188 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Colona, IL
5,189 people
Comstock Northwest, MI
5,190 people
Duquesne, PA
5,186 people
River Ridge, FL
5,191 people
Newport, NH
5,185 people
Veneta, OR
5,191 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Richlands's $37,382 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gary, IN
$37,380 median income
Norwood, MO
$37,375 median income
Elmore City, OK
$37,375 median income
Brunson, SC
$37,391 median income
Lineville, AL
$37,396 median income
Houstonia, MO
$37,396 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 97.6% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.4% 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 Richlands 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
Richlands (this city) 5,188 $37,382
Bealeton 5,193 $103,365
Big Stone Gap 5,193 $51,059
Falmouth 5,036 $125,305
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Richlands, VA?

What is the population of Richlands, VA? +

The population of Richlands, VA stands at 5,188 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Richlands, the typical household earns $37,382 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Richlands? +

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

Richlands has a total crime rate of 1647.8 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 Richlands, VA? +

A typical home in Richlands is worth $107,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Richlands? +

Climate normals put Richlands's yearly average temperature at 53.4°F, 44.6 inches of precipitation, and 17.6 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.