Bluefield, VA

Virginia

Bluefield is a small city in Virginia with a population of 5,016. Residents earn $53,500 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
5,016 Population 528/sq mi density
$53,500 Median Income $38,772 per capita
$161,100 Home Value $125,474 Zillow
$818 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$53,500 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$161,100 home value, $818/mo rent
B+
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,500
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $161,100
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.7%
6% lower than US avg
Median Rent $818
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.2%
55% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,016
Median Age38.5 yrs
Density528/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,500
Per Capita$38,772
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty19.2%
County GDP$283M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$161,100
Rent$818
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$125,474

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain45.4 in/yr
Elevation2,487 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+31.7%
High School+90.6%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 15%
Commute22 min
Libraries1

Is Bluefield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bluefield receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bluefield stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bluefield is $53,500, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. The poverty rate of 19.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bluefield is $161,100, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $818 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

31.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bluefield experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.4 inches, including 39.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Bluefield has a population of 5,016 with a density of 528 people per square mile. The median age is 38.5 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.3%), with 10.9% Black.

Population

5,016
Total Population
528
People / sq mi
38.5yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
9.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bluefield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bluefield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bluefield is $53,500, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Bluefield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,500
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,772
Avg Weekly Wage$1,131
IRS Avg AGI$60,637

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.2%
55% above US avg
Establishments (County)152
County GDP$283M

Business (County)

Restaurants7
Healthcare6
Retail15
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,200
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home9.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Bluefield is $161,100, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $818 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $125,474.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$161,100
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$125,474
Median List Price$137,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$137,450
$/Sq Ft$77
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.5%
Price Drops27.8%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$818
30% 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-Occupied66.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,200
37% below US avg
Effective Rate1.37%
In Bluefield, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.3% report depression. 27.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure35.4%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.7%
Physical Inactivity27.6%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death9,532/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access90.0%
Healthcare Facilities6

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Bluefield has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.4 inches
20% above US avg
Snowfall39.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,487 ft (758 m)
Area9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²)
Population Density528/sq mi
Coordinates37.2352°N, 81.2747°W
County FIPS51021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 31.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (6% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.5%
D 14.8%

Winner: Republican by 69.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.7%
6% below US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score5.58
B+ Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density528/sq mi
Total Area9.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities6
Restaurants7
Retail Stores15

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home9.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Bluefield with another city: