Choose Country

Drakes Branch, VA

Virginia

Drakes Branch is a small town in Virginia with a population of 475. Residents earn $19,620 per year, which is 74% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
475 Population 115/sq mi density
$19,620 Median Income $21,644 per capita
$119,100 Home Value $167,623 Zillow
$498 Median Rent 32.9% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 305 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$19,620 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$119,100 home value, $498/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $19,620
74% lower than US avg
Home Value $119,100
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.6%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $498
57% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.6%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 43.1%
248% higher than US avg

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

People

Population475
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density115/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 52%
Veterans11.9%

Economy

C
Median Income$19,620
Per Capita$21,644
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty43.1%
County GDP$341M
Commute30 min

Housing

B
Home Value$119,100
Rent$498
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$167,623
Housing Units332
Rent Burden32.9%

Health

Obesity44.6%
Uninsured12.5%
Smoking20.4%
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F (15°C)
AQI35 (Good)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Sunny Days305/yr
Elevation377 ft (115 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.6%
High School+76.7%
Graduate+9.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 38%
Commute30 min
Broadband47.7%
Libraries2

Is Drakes Branch a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Drakes Branch receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Drakes Branch has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Drakes Branch is $19,620, 74% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 43.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Drakes Branch is $119,100, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $498 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

14.6% 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

Drakes Branch enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 305 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches, including 5.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Drakes Branch has a population of 475 with a density of 115 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (52%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 44.2% Black.

Population

475
Total Population
115
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.8%
Female 60.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Drakes Branch vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Drakes Branch vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Drakes Branch is $19,620, which is 74% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 43.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Drakes Branch vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$19,620
74% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,644
Avg Weekly Wage$917
IRS Avg AGI$51,936

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate43.1%
248% above US avg
Establishments (County)356
County GDP$341M

Business (County)

Restaurants6
Healthcare13
Retail29
Manufacturing6

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,762
50% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Drakes Branch is $119,100, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $498 (57% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $167,623.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,100
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$167,623

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$498
57% below US avg
Rent Burden32.9%

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-Occupied58.7%
Housing Units332
Median Year Built1965

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,762
50% below US avg
Effective Rate1.48%
In Drakes Branch, 44.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 12.5% of residents lack health insurance. 20.4% are current smokers. 25.6% report depression. 33.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Drakes Branch vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.6%
39% above US avg
Diabetes15.6%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure39.4%
Asthma13.1%
COPD9.2%
Cancer6.1%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.4%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking13.3%
Physical Inactivity33.2%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress21.9%
Physical Distress17.0%
Short Sleep44.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Uninsured12.5%
45% above US avg
Checkup Rate78.9%
Dental Visits55.6%
Premature Death11,616/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access22.5%
Healthcare Facilities13
Drakes Branch has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.4 inches. The area enjoys 305 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.4 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall5.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation377 ft (115 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density115/sq mi
Coordinates36.9933°N, 78.6009°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS51111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.8-point margin. 47.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.1%
D 38.3%

Winner: Republican by 22.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.6%
57% below US avg
High School+76.7%
Graduate Degree+9.7%
School Test Score5.58
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density115/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access47.7%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants6
Retail Stores29

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

Chase City, VA 2,530 pop · 15.4 mi Hampden-Sydney, VA 1,942 pop · 18.6 mi Brookneal, VA 1,275 pop · 19.8 mi Victoria, VA 1,844 pop · 20.8 mi Farmville, VA 7,613 pop · 23.7 mi Halifax, VA 1,348 pop · 24.2 mi Clarksville, VA 1,723 pop · 26.0 mi South Boston, VA 7,896 pop · 26.0 mi Kenbridge, VA 1,348 pop · 26.2 mi Mountain Road, VA 1,517 pop · 27.2 mi Riverdale, VA 1,129 pop · 27.3 mi Appomattox, VA 2,085 pop · 28.1 mi Crewe, VA 2,795 pop · 29.0 mi South Hill, VA 4,737 pop · 32.0 mi
Compare Drakes Branch with another city: