Appalachia, VA

Virginia

Appalachia is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,612. Residents earn $38,942 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,612 Population 469/sq mi density
$38,942 Median Income $18,944 per capita
$65,500 Home Value $49,483 Zillow
$665 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
291 Violent Crime/100K 3,779 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$38,942 median income, 7.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,500 home value, $665/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
291 violent crimes/100K (24% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,942
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,500
77% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 291/100K
24% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.6%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $665
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.2%
47% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.0%
94% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.2%
95% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,612
Median Age40.0 yrs
Density469/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

C
Median Income$38,942
Per Capita$18,944
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty24.2%
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,500
Rent$665
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$49,483

Crime

F
Violent291/100K
Property3,779/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault291/100K
Burglary1,279/100K

Health

Obesity47.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.7%
Heart Disease8.6%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain56.0 in/yr
Elevation2,082 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.6%
High School+86.1%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute23 min

Is Appalachia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Appalachia receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Appalachia has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Appalachia is $38,942, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 24.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Appalachia is $65,500, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $665 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Appalachia is below the national average at 291 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,779 per 100,000, 93% above the national average.

Education

15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Appalachia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.0 inches, including 9.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Appalachia has a population of 1,612 with a density of 469 people per square mile. The median age is 40.0 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.7%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 6.9% Black.

Population

1,612
Total Population
469
People / sq mi
40.0yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
3.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Appalachia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Appalachia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Appalachia is $38,942, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 24.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Appalachia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,942
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,944
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$50,964

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.0%
94% above US avg
Poverty Rate24.2%
95% above US avg
Establishments (County)231

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare49
Retail37
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Appalachia is $65,500, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $665 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $49,483.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,500
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$49,483

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$665
43% 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-Occupied60.3%

Property Tax

In Appalachia, 47.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.7% report depression. 36.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.2%
47% above US avg
Diabetes15.5%
Heart Disease8.6%
High Blood Pressure40.5%
Asthma12.8%
COPD12.7%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity36.5%
Depression30.7%
Mental Distress24.2%
Physical Distress19.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.3%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death21,701/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access92.6%
Healthcare Facilities49
Appalachia has a violent crime rate of 291 per 100,000 residents, 24% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,779 per 100,000 (93% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent290.7/100K
24% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault290.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,779.1/100K
93% above US avg
Burglary1,279.1/100K
Theft2,267.4/100K
Vehicle Theft232.6/100K
Arson174.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Appalachia has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.0 inches
47% above US avg
Snowfall9.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,082 ft (635 m)
Area3.4 sq mi (8.9 km²)
Population Density469/sq mi
Coordinates36.9127°N, 82.7950°W
County FIPS51720
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.5%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.6%
54% below US avg
High School+86.1%
School Test Score5.58
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density469/sq mi
Total Area3.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants30
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.7 min
Work from Home8.1%

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