Lynchburg, VA Local Data & Statistics

State: VA

Total population: 79,497 Household income: $57,947 Rent: $1,073

Overview

Total population

79,497

Rent

$1,073

Year built

1971

Household income

$57,947

Per capita income

$29,937

Poverty rate

18.6%

Unemployment rate

3.1%

Household size

2.4 persons

Rent over 30% of income

49%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Virginia

Total population

79,497

Adults over 25

44,667

Total households

28,701

Household size

2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$57,947

Per capita income

$29,937

Poverty rate

18.6%

Unemployment rate

3.1%

Rent over 30% of income

49%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,073

Year built

1971

Households that rent

51.1%

Households that own

48.9%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.4

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

61.3%

Black

27.2%

Asian

2.3%

Two or more races

6.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

5.1%

Not Hispanic or Latino

94.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

86.1%

Commute time to work

17 mins

Work from home

13.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

27.2%

High school graduate or GED

24.8%

Some college or associate degree

9.5%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

38.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Lynchburg, VA with: Virginia United States

Lynchburg, VA

Total population79,497

Rent$1,073

Year built1971

Household income$57,947

Per capita income$29,937

Poverty rate18.6%

Unemployment rate3.1%

Virginia State

Total population8,705,170

Rent$1,579

Year built1984

Household income$93,170

Per capita income$50,666

Poverty rate9.9%

Unemployment rate2.8%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityLynchburg, VA	StateVirginia	CountryUnited States
Total population	79,497	8,705,170	334,922,499
Rent	$1,073	$1,579	$1,413
Year built	1971	1984	1980
Household income	$57,947	$93,170	$80,734
Per capita income	$29,937	$50,666	$44,673
Poverty rate	18.6%	9.9%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.1%	2.8%	4%

View the complete comparison of Lynchburg, VA, Virginia and United States →

Summary for Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg is located in Virginia.

Rent & Income

In Lynchburg, the typical monthly rent is $1,073 and the typical household income is $57,947. Rent here is lower than in both Virginia and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 18.6%, which is higher than in both Virginia and national.

Housing & Affordability

Renters make up about 51.1% of households, indicating a relatively balanced mix of renters and owners. About 49% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 38.5% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is higher than Virginia and lower than the national rate.

Lynchburg, VA — Rent vs Household Income

Lynchburg, VA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Lynchburg, VA compares in Virginia (24 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$1,073	3 / 24	from lower rent	$996 – $2,089
Household income	$57,947	21 / 24	from higher income	$55,378 – $119,681
Poverty rate	18.6%	21 / 24	from lower poverty	7.9% – 25.7%
Unemployment rate	3.1%	15 / 24	from lower unemployment	2.2% – 3.7%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Virginia with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Lynchburg, VA

Rent

Rent prices put Lynchburg in 3rd place among 24 large communities in Virginia. Across Virginia, rents range from $996 in Roanoke, VA up to $2,089 in Alexandria, VA.

Household income

Looking at household income, Lynchburg places 21st out of 24 significant areas. Incomes across Virginia range between $55,378 in Roanoke, VA and $119,681 in Alexandria, VA.

Poverty rate

Poverty levels put Lynchburg in 21st place among 24 significant areas. Across Virginia, poverty ranges between 7.9% and 25.7%.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Lynchburg is ranked 15th out of 24 major areas. Across Virginia, rates go from 2.2% in Alexandria, VA up to 3.7% in Portsmouth, VA.

💰 Rent in Lynchburg, VA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,073 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Lynchburg, VA

Annual Household Income: $57,947

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Lynchburg, VA

Estimated Rate: 18.6%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Lynchburg, VA

In Lynchburg, VA, households that rent: 14,674 (51.1%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	14,674	51.1%
Owner-Occupied	14,027	48.9%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Lynchburg, VA

In Lynchburg, VA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 7,194 (49%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	7,194	49%
Other renter households	7,480	51%
Total renter households	14,674	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Lynchburg, VA

Less than High School: 12,158 people (27.2%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 11,068 people (24.8%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,250 people (9.5%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 17,191 people (38.5%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 44,667

📊 Unemployment Rate in Lynchburg, VA

Estimated Rate: 3.1%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Kissimmee, FL79,504 Plymouth, MN79,526 Perris, CA79,349 Jonesboro, AR79,187 Pharr, TX79,809 Tustin, CA79,035 Upland, CA78,940 Parma, OH80,131 Napa, CA78,816 Georgetown, TX78,803

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.