Clifton Forge, VA

Virginia

Clifton Forge is a small town in Virginia with a population of 3,483. Residents earn $33,107 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
3,483 Population 1,153/sq mi density
$33,107 Median Income $24,530 per capita
$106,900 Home Value $138,927 Zillow
$636 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$33,107 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$106,900 home value, $636/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,107
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,900
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.8%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $636
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.1%
14% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,483
Median Age46.1 yrs
Density1,153/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

B
Median Income$33,107
Per Capita$24,530
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty14.1%
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,900
Rent$636
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$138,927

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain39.5 in/yr
Elevation1,118 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+85.6%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute25 min
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Is Clifton Forge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clifton Forge receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Clifton Forge offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clifton Forge is $33,107, 56% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. 14.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clifton Forge is $106,900, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $636 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Clifton Forge experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 10.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Clifton Forge has a population of 3,483 with a density of 1,153 people per square mile. The median age is 46.1 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.8%), with 15.9% Black.

Population

3,483
Total Population
1,153
People / sq mi
46.1yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.1%
Female 44.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Clifton Forge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Clifton Forge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clifton Forge is $33,107, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Clifton Forge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,107
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,530
Avg Weekly Wage$1,114
IRS Avg AGI$46,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.1%
14% above US avg
Establishments (County)293

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare13
Retail37
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,700
51% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Clifton Forge is $106,900, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $636 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $138,927.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,900
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$138,927

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$636
45% 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-Occupied61.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,700
51% below US avg
Effective Rate1.59%
In Clifton Forge, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 29.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Clifton Forge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure36.7%
Asthma12.1%
COPD9.0%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity29.6%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.8%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death15,933/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities13

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Clifton Forge has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.7°F
2% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.5 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall10.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,118 ft (341 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²)
Population Density1,153/sq mi
Coordinates37.8233°N, 79.8252°W
County FIPS51580
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.3%
D 33.1%

Winner: Republican by 33.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.8%
44% below US avg
High School+85.6%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,153/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants19
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home2.2%

Nearby Cities

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