At a Glance
Median Income
$52,474
$29,588 per capita
Home Value
$201,900
Zillow: $219,134
Median Rent
$929/mo
26.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
31.7%
92.2% high school+
Unemployment
6.3%
14.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.3%
15.2% smoking rate
How Buchanan Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Buchanan's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Buchanan a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Buchanan residents earn a median household income of $52,474 , which is 30% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $29,588. The unemployment rate stands at 6.3% (75% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 982 business establishments, including 55 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Buchanan is $201,900 , 28% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $219,134. Median rent is $929/month, with 26.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 101.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1962.
Education
31.7% of adults in Buchanan hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(6% below the national average).
92.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.2/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Buchanan 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 totals 43.6 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population1,271
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density586/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Foreign Born0.3%
Veterans4.6%
Economy
B
Median Income$52,474
Per Capita$29,588
Unemployment6.3%
Poverty14.3%
County GDP$1,882M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,122
Housing
A+
Home Value$201,900
Rent$929
Ownership76.7%
Zillow$219,134
Housing Units563
Rent Burden26.7%
Health
Obesity36.3%
Diabetes10.1%
Smoking15.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
Premature Death7,861/100K
Climate
Avg Temp57°F
Rain43.6 in/yr
Elevation830 ft
Education
B+
Bachelor's+31.7%
High School+92.2%
Graduate+14.0%
School Score5.2/10
Community
2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute33 min
Broadband91.8%
Internet Speed64 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Buchanan was built in 1962.
The nearest airport is Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (21 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.430 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
13.9% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 8 fatal vehicle crashes.