Gretna, VA

Virginia

Gretna is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,275. Residents earn $36,023 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,275 Population 763/sq mi density
$36,023 Median Income $23,758 per capita
$140,900 Home Value $164,072 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
241 Violent Crime/100K 1,044 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$36,023 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$140,900 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
241 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,023
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $140,900
50% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 241/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.9%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.4%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.1%
86% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,275
Median Age53.6 yrs
Density763/mi²
Male / Female41% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 60%

Economy

C+
Median Income$36,023
Per Capita$23,758
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty23.1%
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$140,900
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$164,072

Crime

F
Violent241/100K
Property1,044/100K
Murder80.3/100K
Assault161/100K
Burglary402/100K

Health

Obesity44.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain47.7 in/yr
Elevation836 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.9%
High School+73.1%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute18 min
Libraries6

Is Gretna a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gretna receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Gretna has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gretna is $36,023, 52% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 23.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gretna is $140,900, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Gretna is below the national average at 241 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,044 per 100,000, 47% below the national average.

Education

12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Gretna enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches, including 5.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Gretna has a population of 1,275 with a density of 763 people per square mile. The median age is 53.6 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.5%), with 30.7% Black.

Population

1,275
Total Population
763
People / sq mi
53.6yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.5%
Female 59.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Gretna vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gretna vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gretna is $36,023, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Gretna vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,023
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,758
Avg Weekly Wage$936
IRS Avg AGI$59,585

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate23.1%
86% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,428

Business (County)

Restaurants53
Healthcare69
Retail127
Manufacturing39

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,116
40% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home17.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Gretna is $140,900, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $164,072.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$140,900
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$164,072
Median List Price$214,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$214,000
$/Sq Ft$204
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio104.1%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% 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-Occupied48.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,116
40% below US avg
Effective Rate1.50%
In Gretna, 44.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 34.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.4%
38% above US avg
Diabetes14.9%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure40.4%
Asthma12.7%
COPD9.2%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.2%
Physical Inactivity34.6%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress21.0%
Physical Distress16.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.9%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death11,015/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access36.0%
Healthcare Facilities69
Gretna has a violent crime rate of 241 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,044 per 100,000 (47% below US avg). The murder rate is 80.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent241.0/100K
37% below US avg
Murder80.3/100K
1175% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault160.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,044.2/100K
47% below US avg
Burglary401.6/100K
Theft642.6/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Gretna has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average55.6°F
3% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall5.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation836 ft (255 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density763/sq mi
Coordinates36.9495°N, 79.3626°W
County FIPS51143
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 12.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.3%
D 28.2%

Winner: Republican by 43.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.9%
62% below US avg
High School+73.1%
School Test Score5.58
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density763/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities69
Restaurants53
Retail Stores127

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home17.5%

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