County · Virginia
Alleghany County, Virginia
Alleghany County, Virginia. Alleghany County had 14,546 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.4% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 7 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 51005.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,546
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,223 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,859
Median household income
$56,188
±$4,205 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$125,800
±$12,256 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$765
±$108 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Alleghany County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,223 residents in Alleghany County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,546 for July 1, 2025, down 4.4% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,859 over 447 square miles of land.
| Measure | Alleghany County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,859 | 8,705,170 | −298 |
| Households | 6,383±220 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.08 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,913±35 | 3,684,756 | −114 |
Alleghany County's population since 2000
From 12,926 in 2000 to 14,546 in 2025: up 12.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Alleghany County?
Alleghany County holds 7 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Clifton Forge with 3,372 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Clifton Forge | 3,555 | $40,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Mallow | 671 | $50,347 |
| Low MoorGEOID 5147352 | 402 | $44,900 |
| SelmaGEOID 5171072 | 357 | not published |
| Iron Gate | 324 | $70,000 |
| Cliftondale ParkGEOID 5117424 | 266 | $53,241 |
| CallaghanGEOID 5112136 | 203 | $74,271 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Alleghany County?
The median resident of Alleghany County is 48.3 years old; 18.5% are under 18 and 26.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.2%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Alleghany County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.3±0.7 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.5%±0.5 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.3%±0.4 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% | 11.0% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.0%±0.2 pts | 58.4% | −0.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3%±1.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.9%±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±2.0 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.6%±2.2 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.6%±2.4 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.6 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.2 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 Alleghany County earn?
Half of Alleghany County's 6,383 households earn less than $56,188 a year (±$4,205), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $58,671 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Alleghany County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,188±$4,205 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,436±$6,567 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,863±$2,957 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 9.9% | −8.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.6%±4.5 pts | 12.3% | −24.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.1%±2.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.8%±3.2 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 Alleghany County?
Owners occupy 82.3% of Alleghany County's occupied homes and renters 17.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,800 by its owner (±$12,256). The median renter pays $765 a month including utilities, and 31.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Alleghany County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $125,800±$12,256 | $383,700 | −$21,514 |
| Median gross rent | $765±$108 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.2%±12.0 pts | 39.4% | −15.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,225±$94 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.3%±3.2 pts | 67.3% | +6.1 pts |
| Housing units | 7,913±35 | 3,684,756 | −114 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.2%±5.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.9%±3.4 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.5%±3.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.2%±3.7 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 Alleghany County building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units across Alleghany County in 2025 (13 single-family), 0.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Alleghany County get to work?
88.0% of Alleghany County's workers drive alone and 3.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Alleghany County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.2%±2.0 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±1.4 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 88.0%±2.9 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±2.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.8%±1.5 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.9 min±1.7 | 27.3 min | −2.7 min |
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 are Alleghany County's census tracts?
Alleghany County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,076 (Tract 701) to $63,676 (Tract 803.02).
| Tract 70151005070100 | 3,471±176 | $44,076 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 80151005080100 | 3,256±345 | $53,125 |
| Tract 802.0151005080201 | 2,863±277 | $59,732 |
| Tract 802.0251005080202 | 2,400±272 | $57,044 |
| Tract 803.0151005080301 | 1,576±208 | $62,628 |
| Tract 803.0251005080302 | 1,293±231 | $63,676 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Alleghany County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 99th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 126th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 118th of 133 |
| Median household income | 104th of 133 |
| Median home value | 123rd of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 115th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 66th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 123rd of 133 |
| Median age | 21st of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Alleghany County 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' school search.