Chilhowie, VA

Virginia

Chilhowie is a small town in Virginia with a population of 2,462. Residents earn $53,250 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
2,462 Population 973/sq mi density
$53,250 Median Income $27,545 per capita
$158,600 Home Value $186,955 Zillow
$799 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
114 Violent Crime/100K 1,029 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$53,250 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$158,600 home value, $799/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
114 violent crimes/100K (70% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,250
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,600
44% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 114/100K
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.4%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $799
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.9%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,462
Median Age47.4 yrs
Density973/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,250
Per Capita$27,545
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$1,349M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$158,600
Rent$799
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$186,955

Crime

F
Violent114/100K
Property1,029/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault114/100K
Burglary343/100K

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation1,975 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.4%
High School+88.2%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute21 min
Libraries3

Is Chilhowie a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chilhowie receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Chilhowie offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chilhowie is $53,250, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chilhowie is $158,600, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $799 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Chilhowie is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 114 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,029 per 100,000, 47% below the national average.

Education

26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Chilhowie experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Chilhowie has a population of 2,462 with a density of 973 people per square mile. The median age is 47.4 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.7%), with 4.2% Black.

Population

2,462
Total Population
973
People / sq mi
47.4yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.4%
Female 54.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Chilhowie vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chilhowie vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chilhowie is $53,250, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Chilhowie vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,250
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,545
Avg Weekly Wage$928
IRS Avg AGI$51,317

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.9%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)816
County GDP$1,349M

Business (County)

Restaurants54
Healthcare57
Retail105
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,212
37% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Work from Home2.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Chilhowie is $158,600, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $799 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $186,955.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,600
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$186,955

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$799
31% 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-Occupied60.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,212
37% below US avg
Effective Rate1.39%
In Chilhowie, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 26.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity26.7%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death14,259/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities57
Chilhowie has a violent crime rate of 114 per 100,000 residents, 70% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,029 per 100,000 (47% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent114.4/100K
70% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault114.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,029.2/100K
47% below US avg
Burglary343.1/100K
Theft686.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Chilhowie has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.9°F
0% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,975 ft (602 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density973/sq mi
Coordinates36.8002°N, 81.6829°W
County FIPS51173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 26.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.9%
D 19.5%

Winner: Republican by 60.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.4%
22% below US avg
High School+88.2%
School Test Score5.58
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density973/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities57
Restaurants54
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Work from Home2.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Chilhowie with another city: