Brookneal, VA

Virginia

Brookneal is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,275. Residents earn $45,909 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,275 Population 364/sq mi density
$45,909 Median Income $23,177 per capita
$115,000 Home Value $155,071 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
89 Violent Crime/100K 1,158 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$45,909 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,000 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
89 violent crimes/100K (77% below avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,909
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,000
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 89/100K
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.9%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,275
Median Age47.6 yrs
Density364/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,909
Per Capita$23,177
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$376M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$155,071

Crime

F
Violent89/100K
Property1,158/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault89/100K
Burglary267/100K

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain46.0 in/yr
Elevation438 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.9%
High School+84.2%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute23 min
Libraries4

Is Brookneal a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brookneal receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Brookneal has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brookneal is $45,909, 39% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.2% 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 Brookneal is $115,000, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Brookneal is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 89 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,158 per 100,000, 41% below the national average.

Education

9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Brookneal enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.0 inches, including 7.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Brookneal has a population of 1,275 with a density of 364 people per square mile. The median age is 47.6 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.1%), with 6.2% Hispanic, 24.9% Black.

Population

1,275
Total Population
364
People / sq mi
47.6yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Brookneal vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brookneal vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brookneal is $45,909, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Brookneal vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,909
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,177
Avg Weekly Wage$886
IRS Avg AGI$55,105

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)543
County GDP$376M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare20
Retail35
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,856
18% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Brookneal is $115,000, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $155,071.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,000
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$155,071

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% 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-Occupied66.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,856
18% below US avg
Effective Rate2.48%
In Brookneal, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.7% report depression. 30.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure36.9%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.6%
Physical Inactivity30.2%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress20.9%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.9%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death13,862/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access16.4%
Healthcare Facilities20
Brookneal has a violent crime rate of 89 per 100,000 residents, 77% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,158 per 100,000 (41% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent89.1/100K
77% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault89.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,157.6/100K
41% below US avg
Burglary267.1/100K
Theft890.5/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Brookneal has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.5°F
5% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.0 inches
21% above US avg
Snowfall7.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation438 ft (134 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density364/sq mi
Coordinates37.0478°N, 78.9539°W
County FIPS51037
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 33.4%

Winner: Republican by 32.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.9%
71% below US avg
High School+84.2%
School Test Score5.58
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density364/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants13
Retail Stores35

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Work from Home5.6%

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