Low Moor: Demographics & People
Low Moor is home to 430 people, in 152 households. Population grew 8.6% from 396 (2022) to 430 (2024). Median age 64.1 years. (15.8y older than Alleghany County; 26.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 5% of the population. Population is 95% White (non-Hispanic) and 5% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.07). 57% of households are family-led. County is gaining 116 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.8 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 43% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 96 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 8.6% from 396 (2022) to 430 (2024) — about 14.3× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~467 (extrapolated at 4.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 521.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 15,223 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 8.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 396 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 430 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 430 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 521 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 64.1y is 25.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 5% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 64.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 5.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 430 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 22 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 40.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 179.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 189 |
| Population under 18 | 22 |
| Median age | 64.1 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 430 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.07 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 382 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 14 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 6.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.5% |
| Black population | 4.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 95.1% (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 (6)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 328 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 102 |
| Share born in this state | 76.3% |
| Share born in another state | 23.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 23.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 11 |
| From Europe | 5 |
Households & Family Composition
152 households. Averaging 2.8 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 57% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 101 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 27 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 101 |
| Average household size | 2.75 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 39.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 421 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 165 |
| Family households | 86 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 56.6% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 152 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. 4.2% 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) | 4.2% |
|---|---|
| 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
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. 86 residents live in group quarters (20.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 86 |
|---|
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 · Children Pct | 5.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 430, booming, retirement community, working-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 430 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Alleghany County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade