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Columbia Furnace, VA

Virginia

Columbia Furnace is a small town in Virginia with a population of 266. Residents earn $39,191 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
266 Population 199/sq mi density
$39,191 Median Income $28,293 per capita
$230,000 Home Value
$670 Median Rent 17.0% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$39,191 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$230,000 home value, $670/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,191
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $230,000
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.8%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $670
42% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population266
Median Age45.9 yrs
Density199/mi²
Male / Female65% / 35%
Largest GroupWhite 69%
Veterans3.9%

Economy

B+
Median Income$39,191
Per Capita$28,293
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$2,270M
Commute34 min

Housing

B
Home Value$230,000
Rent$670
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden17.0%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI35 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation1,033 ft (315 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.8%
High School+76.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute34 min
Broadband59.6%
Libraries6

Is Columbia Furnace a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Columbia Furnace receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Columbia Furnace has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Columbia Furnace is $39,191, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Columbia Furnace is $230,000, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $670 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Columbia Furnace experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 21.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Columbia Furnace has a population of 266 with a density of 199 people per square mile. The median age is 45.9 years, 18% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.2%), with 10.2% Black.

Population

266
Total Population
199
People / sq mi
45.9yrs
Median Age
18% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 65.4%
Female 34.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Columbia Furnace vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Columbia Furnace vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Columbia Furnace is $39,191, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Columbia Furnace vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,191
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,293
Avg Weekly Wage$961
IRS Avg AGI$70,092

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,152
County GDP$2,270M

Business (County)

Restaurants101
Healthcare75
Retail134
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,985
15% below US avg
Cost of Living101.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.8 min
Drive Alone63.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Columbia Furnace is $230,000, 18% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $670 (42% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$230,000
18% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$670
42% below US avg
Rent Burden17.0%

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-Occupied42.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,985
15% below US avg
Effective Rate1.30%
Columbia Furnace has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.8°F
2% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall21.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,033 ft (315 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density199/sq mi
Coordinates38.8749°N, 78.6148°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS51171
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.3-point margin. 59.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.6%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.8%
74% below US avg
High School+76.7%
School Test Score5.58
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density199/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access59.6%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities75
Restaurants101
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.8 min
Drive Alone63.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Edinburg, VA 1,544 pop · 4.6 mi Woodstock, VA 5,851 pop · 5.3 mi Maurertown, VA 1,138 pop · 9.0 mi Basye, VA 1,416 pop · 9.5 mi Mount Jackson, VA 2,048 pop · 9.6 mi New Market, VA 2,159 pop · 16.2 mi Strasburg, VA 7,162 pop · 16.8 mi Luray, VA 4,836 pop · 16.9 mi Timberville, VA 2,998 pop · 18.8 mi Broadway, VA 4,221 pop · 21.0 mi Middletown, VA 1,634 pop · 21.0 mi Stanley, VA 1,976 pop · 21.2 mi Moorefield, WV 2,952 pop · 22.9 mi Front Royal, VA 15,152 pop · 23.5 mi
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