Luray, VA

Virginia

Luray is a small town in Virginia with a population of 4,836. Residents earn $55,802 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,836 Population 995/sq mi density
$55,802 Median Income $33,419 per capita
$243,500 Home Value $307,504 Zillow
$830 Median Rent 28.7% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature
186 Violent Crime/100K 2,247 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$55,802 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$243,500 home value, $830/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
186 violent crimes/100K (51% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,802
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $243,500
14% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 186/100K
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $830
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.6%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.5%
56% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,836
Median Age54.9 yrs
Density995/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

A
Median Income$55,802
Per Capita$33,419
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty5.5%
County GDP$892M
Commute22 min

Housing

A
Home Value$243,500
Rent$830
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$307,504
Rent Burden28.7%

Crime

F
Violent186/100K
Property2,247/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault82/100K
Burglary186/100K

Health

Obesity33.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain44.2 in/yr
Elevation865 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+85.9%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 23%
Commute22 min
Broadband72.9%
EV Stations8
Libraries2

Is Luray a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Luray receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Luray has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Luray is $55,802, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. Only 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Luray is $243,500, 14% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $830 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Luray is below the national average at 186 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,247 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Luray experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.2 inches, including 18.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Luray has a population of 4,836 with a density of 995 people per square mile. The median age is 54.9 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.6%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 6% Black.

Population

4,836
Total Population
995
People / sq mi
54.9yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Luray vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Luray vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Luray is $55,802, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Luray vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,802
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,419
Avg Weekly Wage$830
IRS Avg AGI$58,561

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.5%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)613
County GDP$892M

Business (County)

Restaurants55
Healthcare22
Retail67
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,844
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Drive Alone77.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Luray is $243,500, 14% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $830 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $307,504.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$243,500
14% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$307,504

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$830
29% below US avg
Rent Burden28.7%

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-Occupied67.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,844
19% below US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Luray, 33.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 25.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.6%
5% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity25.0%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.3%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death11,041/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities22
Luray has a violent crime rate of 186 per 100,000 residents, 51% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,247 per 100,000 (15% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent185.5/100K
51% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape61.8/100K
Robbery41.2/100K
Assault82.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,247.0/100K
15% above US avg
Burglary185.5/100K
Theft2,040.8/100K
Vehicle Theft20.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Luray has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.0°F
0% below US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.2 inches
16% above US avg
Snowfall18.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation865 ft (264 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²)
Population Density995/sq mi
Coordinates38.6642°N, 78.4545°W
County FIPS51139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.1-point margin. 72.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.5%

Winner: Republican by 54.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+85.9%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density995/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access72.9%
EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities22
Restaurants55
Retail Stores67

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Drive Alone77.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Luray with another city: