Lynchburg, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Lynchburg is a mid-size city in Virginia with a population of 79,255. Residents earn $59,808 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
79,255 Population 1,620/sq mi density
$59,808 Median Income $30,004 per capita
$211,800 Home Value $257,824 Zillow
$1,043 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature 307 sunny days/yr
467 Violent Crime/100K 2,533 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$59,808 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$211,800 home value, $1,043/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
467 violent crimes/100K (23% above avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
38.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,808
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $211,800
25% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 467/100K
23% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.5%
14% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,043
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.6%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population79,255
Median Age28.4 yrs
Density1,620/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,808
Per Capita$30,004
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty11.7%
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$211,800
Rent$1,043
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$257,824

Crime

F
Violent467/100K
Property2,533/100K
Murder6.4/100K
Assault351/100K
Burglary512/100K

Health

Obesity40.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain32.9 in/yr
Sunny Days307/yr
Elevation682 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.5%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.04

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 45%
Commute17 min
EV Stations15
Libraries2

Is Lynchburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lynchburg receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Lynchburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lynchburg is $59,808, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lynchburg is $211,800, 25% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,043 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 467 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,533 per 100,000, 29% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Lynchburg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 307 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Lynchburg has a population of 79,255 with a density of 1,620 people per square mile. The median age is 28.4 years, 27% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.2%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 27.7% Black.

Population

79,255
Total Population
1,620
People / sq mi
28.4yrs
Median Age
27% below US avg
48.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Lynchburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lynchburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lynchburg is $59,808, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Lynchburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,808
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,004
Avg Weekly Wage$1,129
IRS Avg AGI$67,363

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,654

Business (County)

Restaurants273
Healthcare280
Retail337
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,881
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home11.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Lynchburg is $211,800, 25% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,043 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $257,824.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$211,800
25% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$257,824
Median List Price$254,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$254,950
$/Sq Ft$148
Homes Sold87
Sale-to-List Ratio98.1%
Price Drops25.1%
Inventory203

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,043
10% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,311

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,027
1 Bedroom$1,033
2 Bedrooms$1,187
3 Bedrooms$1,635
4 Bedrooms$1,750

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,881
11% above US avg
Effective Rate1.83%
In Lynchburg, 40.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 25.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.6%
26% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure36.6%
Asthma11.9%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.5%
Physical Inactivity25.6%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate78.7%
Premature Death11,251/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access98.4%
Healthcare Facilities280
Lynchburg has a violent crime rate of 467 per 100,000 residents, 23% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,533 per 100,000 (29% above US avg). The murder rate is 6.4 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent466.7/100K
23% above US avg
Murder6.4/100K
1% above US avg
Rape38.2/100K
Robbery71.2/100K
Assault351.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,533.1/100K
29% above US avg
Burglary512.5/100K
Theft1,885.8/100K
Vehicle Theft134.8/100K
Arson8.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lynchburg has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.9 inches. The area enjoys 307 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.2°F
8% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days307 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.9 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall3.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation682 ft (208 m)
Area48.9 sq mi (126.7 km²)
Population Density1,620/sq mi
Coordinates37.3990°N, 79.1955°W
County FIPS51680
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 38.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (14% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 7.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.3%
D 45.4%

Winner: Republican by 7.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.5%
14% above US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.04
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,620/sq mi
Total Area48.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations15
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities280
Restaurants273
Retail Stores337

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home11.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Lynchburg with another city: