Emporia, VA

Virginia

Emporia is a small city in Virginia with a population of 5,633. Residents earn $49,375 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
5,633 Population 850/sq mi density
$49,375 Median Income $25,570 per capita
$131,100 Home Value $152,678 Zillow
$1,060 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
526 Violent Crime/100K 4,972 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$49,375 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$131,100 home value, $1,060/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
526 violent crimes/100K (38% above avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,375
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,100
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 526/100K
38% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,060
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.0%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.0%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,633
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density850/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 21%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,375
Per Capita$25,570
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty9.0%
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$131,100
Rent$1,060
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$152,678

Crime

F
Violent526/100K
Property4,972/100K
Murder36.3/100K
Assault345/100K
Burglary544/100K

Health

Obesity45.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation100 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+75.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 65%
Commute24 min
EV Stations3
Libraries1

Is Emporia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Emporia receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Emporia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Emporia is $49,375, 34% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. 9.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Emporia is $131,100, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,060 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 526 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,972 per 100,000, 154% above the national average.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Emporia enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Emporia has a population of 5,633 with a density of 850 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (64%), with 20.6% White.

Population

5,633
Total Population
850
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Emporia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Emporia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Emporia is $49,375, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Emporia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,375
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,570
Avg Weekly Wage$794
IRS Avg AGI$42,247

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.0%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)270

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare45
Retail47
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,089
40% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Emporia is $131,100, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,060 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $152,678.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,100
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$152,678

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,060
9% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$764
1 Bedroom$769
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,392
4 Bedrooms$1,679

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied38.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,089
40% below US avg
Effective Rate1.59%
In Emporia, 45.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 34.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.0%
40% above US avg
Diabetes16.6%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure42.2%
Asthma13.1%
COPD8.4%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.2%
Physical Inactivity34.8%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate79.9%
Premature Death21,098/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access95.6%
Healthcare Facilities45
Emporia has a violent crime rate of 526 per 100,000 residents, 38% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,972 per 100,000 (154% above US avg). The murder rate is 36.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent526.2/100K
38% above US avg
Murder36.3/100K
476% above US avg
Rape54.4/100K
Robbery90.7/100K
Assault344.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,971.9/100K
154% above US avg
Burglary544.4/100K
Theft4,336.8/100K
Vehicle Theft90.7/100K
Arson36.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Emporia has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.7°F
11% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall1.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation100 ft (30 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.2 km²)
Population Density850/sq mi
Coordinates36.6962°N, 77.5360°W
County FIPS51595
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 31-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.2%
D 65.2%

Winner: Democrat by 31 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+75.7%
School Test Score5.58
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density850/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants29
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

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