County · Virginia
Lee County, Virginia
Lee County, Virginia. Lee County had 21,642 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.4% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 8 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 51105.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,642
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,173 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,900
Median household income
$41,827
±$3,806 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$98,900
±$10,129 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$738
±$49 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Lee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,173 residents in Lee County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,642 for July 1, 2025, down 2.4% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 21,900 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lee County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,900 | 8,705,170 | −2,048 |
| Households | 8,527±282 | 3,365,732 | −622 |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.08 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,851±29 | 3,684,756 | −947 |
Lee County's population since 2000
From 23,589 in 2000 to 21,642 in 2025: down 8.3%. 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 Lee County?
Lee County holds 8 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Pennington Gap with 1,568 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Pennington Gap | 1,624 | $21,633 |
|---|---|---|
| DrydenGEOID 5123584 | 986 | $55,156 |
| Jonesville | 872 | $18,421 |
| Rose Hill (Lee County)GEOID 5168885 | 729 | not published |
| EwingGEOID 5126384 | 381 | $60,792 |
| KeokeeGEOID 5142104 | 330 | not published |
| StickleyvilleGEOID 5175536 | 279 | not published |
| St. CharlesGEOID 5169792 | 73 | $24,338 |
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 Lee County?
The median resident of Lee County is 45.5 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 4.2%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lee County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5±0.4 | 39.0 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 18.2%±0.3 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% | 11.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±0.1 pts | 58.4% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.2 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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 | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3%±1.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 28.9%±2.4 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0%±1.8 pts | 6.9% | −5.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.8%±1.9 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.1%±1.7 pts | 42.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±1.2 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±0.7 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 Lee County earn?
Half of Lee County's 8,527 households earn less than $41,827 a year (±$3,806), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $40,475 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lee County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,827±$3,806 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $59,845±$4,502 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,828±$1,582 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.8%±4.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 42.9%±9.7 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 28.2%±4.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.8%±3.5 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 Lee County?
Owners occupy 73.0% of Lee County's occupied homes and renters 27.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $98,900 by its owner (±$10,129). The median renter pays $738 a month including utilities, and 47.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lee County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $98,900±$10,129 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $738±$49 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.1%±9.1 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,019±$78 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.0%±4.4 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,851±29 | 3,684,756 | −947 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.1%±4.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.4%±3.3 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.7%±2.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.1%±1.9 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 Lee County building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units across Lee County in 2025 (16 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 Lee County get to work?
81.8% of Lee County's workers drive alone and 9.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.5%.
| Measure | Lee County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 40.5%±2.3 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.5%±3.1 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8%±4.4 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±2.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.9%±3.5 pts | 18.3% | +6.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.2 min±2.0 | 27.3 min | −5.3 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 Lee County's census tracts?
Lee County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $17,917 (Tract 9503.01) to $71,979 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950151105950100 | 2,993±802 | $32,175 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950251105950200 | 3,753±472 | $47,647 |
| Tract 9503.0151105950301 | 1,498±271 | $17,917 |
| Tract 9503.0251105950302 | 3,255±403 | $40,245 |
| Tract 950451105950400 | 3,235±534 | $71,979 |
| Tract 950551105950500 | 4,081±604 | $31,830 |
| Tract 950651105950600 | 3,085±438 | $53,701 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lee County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 78th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 118th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 99th of 133 |
| Median household income | 131st of 133 |
| Median home value | 130th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 121st of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 125th of 133 |
| Median age | 45th 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 Lee 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.