Altavista, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Altavista is a small town in Virginia with a population of 3,356. Residents earn $45,962 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,356 Population 626/sq mi density
$45,962 Median Income $32,099 per capita
$135,000 Home Value $196,219 Zillow
$878 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
200 Violent Crime/100K 1,829 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$45,962 median income, 6.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$135,000 home value, $878/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
200 violent crimes/100K (47% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,962
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $135,000
52% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 200/100K
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.0%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $878
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.6%
83% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.4%
8% higher than US avg

How Altavista Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,356
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density626/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 63%

Economy

C+
Median Income$45,962
Per Capita$32,099
Unemployment6.6%
Poverty13.4%
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$135,000
Rent$878
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$196,219

Crime

F
Violent200/100K
Property1,829/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault171/100K
Burglary200/100K

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain42.8 in/yr
Elevation659 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.0%
High School+91.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Altavista a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Altavista receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Altavista offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Altavista is $45,962, 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Altavista is $135,000, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $878 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Altavista is below the national average at 200 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,829 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Altavista enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.8 inches, including 11.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Altavista has a population of 3,356 with a density of 626 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.5%), with 34.5% Black.

Population

3,356
Total Population
626
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Altavista vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Altavista vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Altavista is $45,962, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Altavista vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,962
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,099
Avg Weekly Wage$1,108
IRS Avg AGI$62,526

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.6%
83% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.4%
8% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,798

Business (County)

Restaurants77
Healthcare93
Retail190
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,022
42% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Altavista is $135,000, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $878 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $196,219.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$135,000
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$196,219
Median List Price$194,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$194,950
$/Sq Ft$151
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio107.9%
Price Drops37.5%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$878
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,137
1 Bedroom$1,181
2 Bedrooms$1,369
3 Bedrooms$1,787
4 Bedrooms$2,126

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,022
42% below US avg
Effective Rate1.50%
In Altavista, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.7% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Altavista vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes13.5%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure37.3%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death8,566/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access49.1%
Healthcare Facilities93
Altavista has a violent crime rate of 200 per 100,000 residents, 47% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,829 per 100,000 (7% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Altavista vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent200.1/100K
47% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery28.6/100K
Assault171.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,829.1/100K
7% below US avg
Burglary200.1/100K
Theft1,457.6/100K
Vehicle Theft171.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Altavista has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.2°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.8 inches
13% above US avg
Snowfall11.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation659 ft (201 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (13.9 km²)
Population Density626/sq mi
Coordinates37.1234°N, 79.2834°W
County FIPS51031
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.9%
D 25.3%

Winner: Republican by 48.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.0%
17% below US avg
High School+91.7%
School Test Score5.58
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density626/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities93
Restaurants77
Retail Stores190

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Work from Home10.1%

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