Callaghan: Demographics & People
Census counts 198 people in Callaghan, in 76 households. Population shrank 28.5% from 277 (2022) to 198 (2024). Median age 58.4 years. (10.1y older than Alleghany County; 20.6y older than Virginia). Population is 77% White (non-Hispanic) and 16% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.21). 83% of households are family-led. County is gaining 116 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 17% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 28.5% from 277 (2022) to 198 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~145 (extrapolated at -14.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 90.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 15,223 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -28.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 277 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 198 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 198 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 90 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 58.4y is 19.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 58.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 198 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 35.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 119.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 44 |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 17.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 60.1% |
| Median age | 58.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 198 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.21 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 221 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 30 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 21.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 88.0% |
| Black population | 16.2% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 76.8% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 172 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 20 |
| Share born in this state | 86.9% |
| Share born in another state | 13.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 10.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 160 |
Households & Family Composition
76 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 83% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 85 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 17 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 85 |
| Married couples with children | 15 |
| Average household size | 2.20 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 421 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 165 |
| Family households | 63 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 82.9% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 76 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 3.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 116 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 3.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,116 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,000 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 116 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 58 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 18.3% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 52 residents live in group quarters (26.3% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 52 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-06 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Alleghany |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 20.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 27.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Alleghany County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 936 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Alleghany County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 48.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 39.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 8.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 14,860 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 198, shrinking, retirement community, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 198 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Alleghany County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade