South Hill, VA

Virginia

South Hill is a small town in Virginia with a population of 4,737. Residents earn $58,633 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,737 Population 480/sq mi density
$58,633 Median Income $42,017 per capita
$182,100 Home Value $197,623 Zillow
$1,121 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
372 Violent Crime/100K 3,389 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$58,633 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$182,100 home value, $1,121/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
372 violent crimes/100K (2% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,633
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $182,100
35% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 372/100K
2% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,121
4% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.9%
20% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,737
Median Age43.1 yrs
Density480/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,633
Per Capita$42,017
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty14.9%
County GDP$1,602M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$182,100
Rent$1,121
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$197,623

Crime

F
Violent372/100K
Property3,389/100K
Murder21.9/100K
Assault175/100K
Burglary525/100K

Health

Obesity43.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain43.5 in/yr
Elevation440 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+86.8%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is South Hill a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Hill receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. South Hill offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Hill is $58,633, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 14.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Hill is $182,100, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,121 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in South Hill is below the national average at 372 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,389 per 100,000, 73% above the national average.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

South Hill enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

South Hill has a population of 4,737 with a density of 480 people per square mile. The median age is 43.1 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (46.9%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 41.9% Black.

Population

4,737
Total Population
480
People / sq mi
43.1yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
9.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

South Hill vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.8%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.2%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

South Hill vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Hill is $58,633, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: South Hill vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,633
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,017
Avg Weekly Wage$976
IRS Avg AGI$62,111

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.9%
20% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,062
County GDP$1,602M

Business (County)

Restaurants76
Healthcare76
Retail153
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,507
28% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.38%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.3 min
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in South Hill is $182,100, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,121 (4% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $197,623.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$182,100
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$197,623

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,121
4% 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-Occupied54.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,507
28% below US avg
Effective Rate1.38%
In South Hill, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.5% report depression. 30.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Hill vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes14.7%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure39.3%
Asthma12.6%
COPD7.9%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.0%
Physical Inactivity30.8%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.9%
Checkup Rate79.4%
Premature Death12,700/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access55.7%
Healthcare Facilities76
South Hill has a violent crime rate of 372 per 100,000 residents, 2% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,389 per 100,000 (73% above US avg). The murder rate is 21.9 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent371.8/100K
2% below US avg
Murder21.9/100K
247% above US avg
Rape65.6/100K
Robbery109.3/100K
Assault174.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,389.5/100K
73% above US avg
Burglary524.8/100K
Theft2,733.4/100K
Vehicle Theft131.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Hill has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.3°F
12% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.5 inches
15% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation440 ft (134 m)
Area9.9 sq mi (25.5 km²)
Population Density480/sq mi
Coordinates36.7257°N, 78.1289°W
County FIPS51117
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.2%
D 39.4%

Winner: Republican by 20.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+86.8%
School Test Score5.58
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density480/sq mi
Total Area9.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities76
Restaurants76
Retail Stores153

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.3 min
Work from Home5.5%

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