City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Rural Retreat, VA

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

1,614
Residents
$60,114
Median income
$167,900
Median home
$914
Median rent (state)

Rural Retreat - the verdict

Nationally, Rural Retreat sits in the 35th percentile for household income and the 92nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
92nd
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: Rural Retreat, VA

Rural Retreat is a small town in Virginia, home to 1,614 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $60,114 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 21.4%. Typical homes in Rural Retreat are valued around $167,900, and the median resident age is 41.9 years. About 24.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Rural Retreat reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 328.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $914 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Virginia run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 48.7 out of 100 (Low).

Population

1,614 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$60,114 /yr

Poverty 21.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Rural Retreat compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 92% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Virginia alone, Rural Retreat ranks #3 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Rural Retreat 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 Rural Retreat near the bottom of Virginia's cities

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

Median Household Income
#354 of 558
37th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#502 of 619
0th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#409 of 567
28th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#59 of 616
90th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#341 of 618
44th 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.

35thIncome percentile
92ndSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 92nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rural Retreat's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rural Retreat'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 69 Avg. percentile National median
Rural Retreat'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 Rural Retreat's home value compares nationally

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

$167,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% 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. Rural Retreat $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 - Rural Retreat, VA Rural Retreat, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rural Retreat, 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 Rural Retreat, VA median $60,114/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%
Rural Retreat, 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 Rural Retreat, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

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

Population
1,614
Median Income
$60,114
Median Home Value
$167,900
Median Age
41.9
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
328.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
328.1
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.

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 →
1,510 residents1,520 residents1,530 residents1,540 residents1,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,543 residents 1,521 residents ▼ -1.4%
Rural Retreat's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.4%
Carpool
7.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.8%
Work from Home
6.7%

Based on 773 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 Rural Retreat 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
48.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Appalachia
1,612 people
Coeburn
1,606 people
Ferrum
1,622 people
Nellysford
1,623 people
Middletown
1,634 people
Haymarket
1,591 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rural Retreat's 1,614 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Crainville, IL
1,614 people
Van Buren, ME
1,614 people
Wilson-Conococheague, MD
1,614 people
Chatham, MA
1,614 people
Vander, NC
1,614 people
Paul, ID
1,615 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rural Retreat's $60,114 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Elgin, IA
$60,114 median income
Hebron, ND
$60,114 median income
Minco, OK
$60,114 median income
Swissvale, PA
$60,114 median income
Freeman, SD
$60,114 median income
Milmay, NJ
$60,110 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rural Retreat, 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 Rural Retreat, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.2% White 95.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 4.1% 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 Rural Retreat 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
Rural Retreat (this city) 1,614 $60,114
Appalachia 1,612 $38,942
Coeburn 1,606 $53,750
Ferrum 1,622 $31,750
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rural Retreat, VA?

What is the population of Rural Retreat, VA? +

Rural Retreat, VA has a population of 1,614 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rural Retreat, VA? +

Median annual household income in Rural Retreat runs $60,114, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rural Retreat? +

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

Rural Retreat has a total crime rate of 328.1 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 Rural Retreat, VA? +

A typical home in Rural Retreat is worth $167,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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