Norton, VA

Virginia

Norton is a small town in Virginia with a population of 3,620. Residents earn $38,497 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,620 Population 484/sq mi density
$38,497 Median Income $27,033 per capita
$100,700 Home Value $113,900 Zillow
$670 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
298 Violent Crime/100K 4,913 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$38,497 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,700 home value, $670/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
298 violent crimes/100K (22% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,497
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,700
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 298/100K
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.6%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $670
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.2%
71% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,620
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density484/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

C+
Median Income$38,497
Per Capita$27,033
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty21.2%
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,700
Rent$670
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$113,900

Crime

F
Violent298/100K
Property4,913/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault199/100K
Burglary199/100K

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain51.6 in/yr
Elevation2,155 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.6%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute17 min
EV Stations3

Is Norton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Norton receives an overall livability score of 2.8 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. Norton has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Norton is $38,497, 49% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 21.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Norton is $100,700, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $670 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Norton is below the national average at 298 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,913 per 100,000, 151% above the national average.

Education

16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Norton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.6 inches, including 47.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Norton has a population of 3,620 with a density of 484 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

3,620
Total Population
484
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
7.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Norton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Norton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Norton is $38,497, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Norton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,497
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,033
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$50,964

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.2%
71% above US avg
Establishments (County)231

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare49
Retail37
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.5 min
Work from Home15.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Norton is $100,700, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $670 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $113,900.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,700
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$113,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$670
42% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$692
1 Bedroom$697
2 Bedrooms$914
3 Bedrooms$1,205
4 Bedrooms$1,429

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied52.3%

Property Tax

In Norton, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 30.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure36.6%
Asthma11.9%
COPD9.5%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity30.1%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress21.6%
Physical Distress16.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.5%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death21,701/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access92.6%
Healthcare Facilities49
Norton has a violent crime rate of 298 per 100,000 residents, 22% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,913 per 100,000 (151% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent297.8/100K
22% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape24.8/100K
Robbery74.4/100K
Assault198.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,913.2/100K
151% above US avg
Burglary198.5/100K
Theft4,665.0/100K
Vehicle Theft49.6/100K
Arson49.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Norton has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average53.4°F
1% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.6 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall47.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,155 ft (657 m)
Area7.5 sq mi (19.4 km²)
Population Density484/sq mi
Coordinates36.9315°N, 82.6260°W
County FIPS51720
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.5%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.6%
51% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.68
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density484/sq mi
Total Area7.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Healthcare Facilities49
Restaurants30
Retail Stores37

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.5 min
Work from Home15.6%

Nearby Cities

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