County · Virginia
Emporia city, Virginia
Emporia city, Virginia. Emporia city had 5,447 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.3% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 51595.
Emporia city is the same area as Emporia: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,447
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,766 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,547
Median household income
$51,899
±$7,831 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$148,500
±$21,557 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,037
±$98 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Emporia city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,766 residents in Emporia city. The Census Bureau estimates 5,447 for July 1, 2025, down 5.3% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,547 over 7 square miles of land.
| Measure | Emporia city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,547 | 8,705,170 | +105 |
| Households | 2,157±226 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.26 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,726±245 | 3,684,756 | +341 |
Emporia city's population since 2000
From 5,665 in 2000 to 5,447 in 2025: down 3.8%. 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 Emporia city?
Emporia city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Emporia with 5,447 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Emporia | 5,766 | $51,899 |
|---|
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 Emporia city?
The median resident of Emporia city is 36.6 years old; 27.6% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 64.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 18.3%.
| Measure | Emporia city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6±4.3 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.6%±3.7 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±2.8 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.9%±4.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 18.3%±4.9 pts | 58.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 64.3%±6.6 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.9%±4.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5%±2.2 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.1%±4.3 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±3.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.5%±5.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±3.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.6%±5.1 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.0%±4.5 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±2.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±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 Emporia city earn?
Half of Emporia city's 2,157 households earn less than $51,899 a year (±$7,831), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $33,306 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $18,593 after inflation. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Emporia city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,899±$7,831 | $93,170 | +$18,593 |
| Mean household income | $71,067±$8,220 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,969±$3,633 | $50,666 | +$6,209 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.8%±4.5 pts | 9.9% | −11.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.4%±11.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 34.1%±7.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4%±3.8 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 Emporia city?
Owners occupy 38.1% of Emporia city's occupied homes and renters 61.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $148,500 by its owner (±$21,557). The median renter pays $1,037 a month including utilities, and 41.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Emporia city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $148,500±$21,557 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,037±$98 | $1,579 | +$183 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.4%±11.2 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,699±$155 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 38.1%±6.9 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,726±245 | 3,684,756 | +341 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 8.1%±7.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.3%±3.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.3%±6.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8%±2.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.6%±5.8 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 Emporia city building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units across Emporia city in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.7 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 Emporia city get to work?
71.0% of Emporia city's workers drive alone and 9.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes.
| Measure | Emporia city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.5%±4.8 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±2.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 71.0%±9.4 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.2%±7.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 4.4%±3.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.9%±4.4 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min±3.1 | 27.3 min | +4.8 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 Emporia city's census tracts?
Emporia city is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,719 (Tract 8901) to $52,008 (Tract 8902).
| Tract 890151595890100 | 2,878±376 | $51,719 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 890251595890200 | 2,669±377 | $52,008 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Emporia city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 129th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 130th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 133 |
| Median household income | 117th of 133 |
| Median home value | 116th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 69th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 115th of 133 |
| Median age | 111th 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 Emporia city 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.