County · Virginia
Russell County, Virginia
Russell County, Virginia. Russell County had 25,332 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 7 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 51167.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,332
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,781 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,538
Median household income
$50,012
±$7,432 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$120,600
±$12,143 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$653
±$50 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Russell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,781 residents in Russell County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,332 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,538 over 474 square miles of land.
| Measure | Russell County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,538 | 8,705,170 | −1,603 |
| Households | 10,669±284 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.06 | 2.52 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 12,761±33 | 3,684,756 | −786 |
Russell County's population since 2000
From 30,308 in 2000 to 25,332 in 2025: down 16.4%. 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 Russell County?
Russell County holds 7 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Lebanon with 3,075 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Russell County?
The median resident of Russell County is 46.7 years old; 18.9% are under 18 and 23.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 1.1%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Russell County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7±0.5 | 39.0 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 18.9%±0.3 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.6%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% | 11.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.6%±0.3 pts | 58.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1%±1.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 31.6%±2.0 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±1.1 pts | 6.9% | −5.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.8%±2.1 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.1%±1.8 pts | 42.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.3%±1.0 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±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 Russell County earn?
Half of Russell County's 10,669 households earn less than $50,012 a year (±$7,432), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $48,930 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Russell County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,012±$7,432 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $69,488±$5,836 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,997±$2,408 | $50,666 | +$3,408 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.7%±2.3 pts | 9.9% | −4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.5%±4.9 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.8%±2.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 72.7%±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 Russell County?
Owners occupy 76.3% of Russell County's occupied homes and renters 23.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $120,600 by its owner (±$12,143). The median renter pays $653 a month including utilities, and 28.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Russell County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $120,600±$12,143 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $653±$50 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.8%±7.0 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,065±$113 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.3%±3.0 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,761±33 | 3,684,756 | −786 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±3.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.3%±3.0 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.4%±2.3 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.8%±1.8 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 Russell County building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units across Russell County in 2025 (11 single-family), 0.4 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 Russell County get to work?
79.5% of Russell County's workers drive alone and 4.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Russell County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.1%±2.7 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.3 pts | 4.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±3.7 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.1%±3.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.9%±1.4 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.0 min±2.9 | 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 Russell County's census tracts?
Russell County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,527 (Tract 302.01) to $69,861 (Tract 302.02).
| Tract 30151167030100 | 3,720±503 | $42,092 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 302.0151167030201 | 2,376±391 | $27,527 |
| Tract 302.0251167030202 | 2,523±419 | $69,861 |
| Tract 30351167030300 | 3,690±502 | $50,333 |
| Tract 304.0251167030402 | 3,048±480 | $69,449 |
| Tract 304.0351167030403 | 2,967±281 | $48,267 |
| Tract 304.0451167030404 | 1,898±283 | $57,447 |
| Tract 30551167030500 | 1,866±299 | $52,250 |
| Tract 30651167030600 | 3,450±430 | $49,844 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Russell County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 70th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 111th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 98th of 133 |
| Median household income | 121st of 133 |
| Median home value | 124th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 132nd of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 129th of 133 |
| Median age | 37th 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 Russell 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.