County · Virginia
Buchanan County, Virginia
Buchanan County, Virginia. Buchanan County had 18,492 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 9.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 4 places (1 city, village or borough and 3 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 51027.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,492
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,355 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,415
Median household income
$42,886
±$3,670 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$94,900
±$10,570 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$743
±$62 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Buchanan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,355 residents in Buchanan County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,492 for July 1, 2025, down 9.1% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,415 over 503 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,415 | 8,705,170 | −2,373 |
| Households | 7,530±396 | 3,365,732 | −1,039 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.13 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,321±31 | 3,684,756 | −1,258 |
Buchanan County's population since 2000
From 26,978 in 2000 to 18,492 in 2025: down 31.5%. 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 Buchanan County?
Buchanan County holds 4 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Grundy with 815 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Grundy | 875 | $40,804 |
|---|---|---|
| VansantGEOID 5180608 | 442 | $31,595 |
| Big RockGEOID 5107448 | 199 | $55,049 |
| BreaksGEOID 5109400 | 144 | $125,938 |
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 Buchanan County?
The median resident of Buchanan County is 47.8 years old; 16.7% are under 18 and 23.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 3.8%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.8±0.8 | 39.0 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 16.7%±0.5 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.9%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1% | 11.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.2%±0.1 pts | 58.4% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.8 pts | 18.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 6.9% | – |
| 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 | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | −1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±1.4 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9%±1.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 37.7%±2.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±1.1 pts | 6.9% | −7.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 78.6%±2.8 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.5%±2.5 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.4 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 Buchanan County earn?
Half of Buchanan County's 7,530 households earn less than $42,886 a year (±$3,670), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $39,328 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,886±$3,670 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $56,349±$4,303 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,508±$1,995 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.2%±4.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.8%±9.3 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.3%±4.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.2%±3.9 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 Buchanan County?
Owners occupy 83.1% of Buchanan County's occupied homes and renters 16.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $94,900 by its owner (±$10,570). The median renter pays $743 a month including utilities, and 65.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $94,900±$10,570 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $743±$62 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 65.5%±12.5 pts | 39.4% | +35.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,152±$125 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.1%±3.1 pts | 67.3% | +5.8 pts |
| Housing units | 10,321±31 | 3,684,756 | −1,258 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±3.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.1%±3.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 35.8%±2.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.7%±1.7 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 Buchanan County building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units across Buchanan County in 2025 (12 single-family), 0.6 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 Buchanan County get to work?
81.2% of Buchanan County's workers drive alone and 6.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 33.7%±4.1 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±2.3 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.2%±5.4 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.6%±4.2 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.5%±2.7 pts | 18.3% | +5.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.1 min±2.2 | 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 are Buchanan County's census tracts?
Buchanan County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,313 (Tract 105) to $51,595 (Tract 106).
| Tract 10151027010100 | 3,873±504 | $41,789 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10251027010200 | 2,491±520 | $39,483 |
| Tract 10351027010300 | 2,725±394 | $46,845 |
| Tract 10451027010400 | 1,916±352 | $34,545 |
| Tract 10551027010500 | 1,034±310 | $30,313 |
| Tract 10651027010600 | 3,804±692 | $51,595 |
| Tract 10751027010700 | 3,572±422 | $46,277 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buchanan County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 81st of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 133rd of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 110th of 133 |
| Median household income | 129th of 133 |
| Median home value | 132nd of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 118th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 131st of 133 |
| Median age | 26th 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 Buchanan 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.