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Independence, VA

Full City Profile · Virginia · Grayson County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,144 Population 489/sq mi density
$36,250 Median Income $32,747 per capita
$115,700 Home Value $213,254 Zillow
$762 Median Rent 31.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 318 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$36,250 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$115,700 home value, $762/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Independence experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days318 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,086 ft (941 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density489/sq mi
Coordinates36.6275°N, 81.1492°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyGrayson County County
Nearest AirportStatesville Regional (SVH)
61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (May) 4.61"
Driest Month (Jan) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score24.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability80.0 / 100
Community Resilience18.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

39 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.4. Most recent: M2.6 on Jul 8, 2023.

Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 78 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 33 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 124 km
Sep 13, 2017 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia M3.2 102 km
Dec 4, 2001 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia M3.1 127 km
May 16, 2009 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia M3.0 123 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 118 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 63 km
Jan 22, 1995 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia M2.9 57 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 109 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 69 km
Feb 15, 2005 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia M2.8 93 km
Jul 4, 2009 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 85 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 133 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 135 km
Jul 15, 2021 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 74 km
May 12, 2017 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 77 km
Jul 6, 2023 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia M2.7 39 km
Aug 30, 2010 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee M2.7 54 km
Jul 12, 1993 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina M2.7 136 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1. Most recent: Fran (1996, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
1996 Fran Category 2 272 km
1989 Hugo Category 1 214 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

145 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 166 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 87 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 72 km 3
May 8, 2008 EF3 100 km 0
May 7, 1998 EF3 97 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF3 100 km 0
May 22, 1985 EF3 98 km 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 73 km 1
May 26, 2022 EF2 77 km 0
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 51 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 82 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 75 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 98 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 80 km 2
Apr 8, 2011 EF2 56 km 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 79 km 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 12 km 0
May 8, 2008 EF2 97 km 0
Jul 7, 2005 EF2 89 km 0
Jul 7, 2005 EF2 78 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF2 100 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: SAMS BRANCH (5,872 ac, 1987).

Year Name Acres Distance
1987 SAMS BRANCH 5,872 78 km
1991 BRADSHAW 5,029 96 km
1987 KIWIS CREEK 4,879 84 km
2001 CROCKETT BRANCH 4,702 92 km
2001 MOUNTAIN FORK 4,393 90 km
1987 SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER 3,490 82 km
2006 BULL MOUNTAIN 3,300 85 km
1995 JIM BRANCH 3,019 97 km
1991 JOHNSON HOLLOW 2,987 77 km
1987 RAYSAL 2,658 95 km
2001 PUCKETT RIDGE 2,291 94 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,242 62 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,194 18 km
1987 WOLFPEN BRANCH 1,887 98 km
2016 RAILROAD GRADE 2016 1,790 97 km
2001 COALWOOD 1,586 96 km
2010 HUFF HOLLOW 1,566 50 km
1987 SLATE CREEK 1,566 90 km
1987 HAMPTON 1,536 98 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,504 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (-0°C) 3.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 35°F (2°C) 3.4 in
March 43°F (6°C) 4.1 in
April 51°F (11°C) 3.7 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.6 in Wettest
June 66°F (19°C) 3.9 in
July 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 3.8 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.9 in
October 53°F (12°C) 4.3 in
November 44°F (7°C) 3.7 in
December 36°F (2°C) 3.2 in

Independence has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (3.0").

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