County · Virginia
Radford city, Virginia
Radford city, Virginia. Radford city had 17,243 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.3% since 2020, faster than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 51750.
Radford city is one of the 5 counties of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Radford city is the same area as Radford: 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
17,243
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,070 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,726
Median household income
$57,348
±$6,243 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$220,700
±$21,395 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,033
±$106 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Radford city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,070 residents in Radford city. The Census Bureau estimates 17,243 for July 1, 2025, up 7.3% since 2020, faster than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,726 over 10 square miles of land.
| Measure | Radford city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,726 | 8,705,170 | −965 |
| Households | 5,540±249 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.11 | 2.52 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 6,459±35 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
Radford city's population since 2000
From 15,859 in 2000 to 17,243 in 2025: up 8.7%. 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 Radford city?
Radford city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Radford with 17,243 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Radford | 16,070 | $57,348 |
|---|
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 Radford city?
The median resident of Radford city is 23.3 years old; 12.5% are under 18 and 9.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 9.2%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Radford city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 23.3±0.4 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 12.5%±0.6 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.6%±0.7 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 11.0% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.9%±0.4 pts | 58.4% | −2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.2%±0.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | +0.8 pts |
| 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 | 2.7%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±1.1 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.3%±0.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1%±1.8 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.9%±1.2 pts | 6.9% | −3.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8%±2.0 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.9%±4.6 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.7%±3.4 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±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 Radford city earn?
Half of Radford city's 5,540 households earn less than $57,348 a year (±$6,243), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,671 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,678 after inflation. 28.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Radford city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,348±$6,243 | $93,170 | +$12,678 |
| Mean household income | $74,233±$8,142 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,815±$2,778 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.7%±4.3 pts | 9.9% | −7.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.6%±11.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.2%±3.4 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.4%±2.8 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 Radford city?
Owners occupy 42.3% of Radford city's occupied homes and renters 57.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $220,700 by its owner (±$21,395). The median renter pays $1,033 a month including utilities, and 46.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Radford city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $220,700±$21,395 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,033±$106 | $1,579 | +$137 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.6%±7.1 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,318±$110 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 42.3%±3.7 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,459±35 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7%±3.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.2%±4.3 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5%±2.4 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 Radford city building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units across Radford city in 2025 (11 single-family), 0.8 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 Radford city get to work?
78.1% of Radford city's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.1%.
| Measure | Radford city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0%±3.3 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.1%±2.9 pts | 4.3% | +3.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1%±3.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1%±2.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 9.9%±2.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3%±1.5 pts | 18.3% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.3 min±1.4 | 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 Radford city's census tracts?
Radford city is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,705 (Tract 101.01) to $80,441 (Tract 101.02).
| Tract 101.0151750010101 | 4,317±432 | $31,705 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 101.0251750010102 | 4,943±412 | $80,441 |
| Tract 102.0151750010201 | 4,042±416 | $66,394 |
| Tract 102.0251750010202 | 3,424±428 | $64,911 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Radford city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 90th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 18th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 133 |
| Median household income | 99th of 133 |
| Median home value | 85th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 71st of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28th of 133 |
| Median age | 132nd 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 Radford 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.