Gate City, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Gate City is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,939. Residents earn $37,188 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,939 Population 487/sq mi density
$37,188 Median Income $32,629 per capita
$158,400 Home Value $170,638 Zillow
$600 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
50 Violent Crime/100K 2,210 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$37,188 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$158,400 home value, $600/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
50 violent crimes/100K (87% below avg)
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
32.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,188
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,400
44% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 50/100K
87% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 32.0%
5% lower than US avg
Median Rent $600
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.8%
13% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,939
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density487/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$37,188
Per Capita$32,629
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty10.8%
County GDP$610M
Commute22 min

Housing

A
Home Value$158,400
Rent$600
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$170,638

Crime

F
Violent50/100K
Property2,210/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault50/100K
Burglary251/100K

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation1,667 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+32.0%
High School+93.7%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 15%
Commute22 min
Libraries1

Is Gate City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gate City receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Gate City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gate City is $37,188, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 10.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gate City is $158,400, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $600 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Gate City is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 50 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,210 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

32.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Gate City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 5.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Gate City has a population of 1,939 with a density of 487 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.8%), with 2.5% Black.

Population

1,939
Total Population
487
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
4.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Gate City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gate City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gate City is $37,188, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Gate City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,188
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,629
Avg Weekly Wage$865
IRS Avg AGI$54,968

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.8%
13% below US avg
Establishments (County)407
County GDP$610M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare36
Retail60
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,943
16% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.0 min
Work from Home6.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Gate City is $158,400, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $600 (48% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $170,638.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,400
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$170,638

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$600
48% 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-Occupied72.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,943
16% below US avg
Effective Rate1.86%
In Gate City, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Gate City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure33.2%
Asthma11.5%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death11,806/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access50.2%
Healthcare Facilities36
Gate City has a violent crime rate of 50 per 100,000 residents, 87% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,210 per 100,000 (13% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent50.2/100K
87% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault50.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,209.9/100K
13% above US avg
Burglary251.1/100K
Theft1,858.4/100K
Vehicle Theft100.5/100K
Arson100.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Gate City has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.5°F
6% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall5.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,667 ft (508 m)
Area4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²)
Population Density487/sq mi
Coordinates36.6461°N, 82.5784°W
County FIPS51169
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 32.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (5% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 70.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.9%
D 14.5%

Winner: Republican by 70.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+32.0%
5% below US avg
High School+93.7%
School Test Score5.58
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density487/sq mi
Total Area4.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants21
Retail Stores60

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.0 min
Work from Home6.6%

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