Big Island: Demographics & People
Census counts 91 people in Big Island, in 81 households. Population shrank 11.7% from 103 (2022) to 91 (2024). Median age 68.0 years. (20.8y older than Bedford County; 30.2y older than Virginia). Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.38). 14% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,699 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 1.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 86% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 11.7% from 103 (2022) to 91 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~80 (extrapolated at -5.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 68.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 79,462 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -11.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 103 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 91 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 91 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 68 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 68.0y is 29.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 68.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 91 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 45.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 46 |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 49.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 65 Plus | 50.5% |
| Median age | 68.0 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 91 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.38 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 77 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 26 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 37.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 74.8% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (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 | 81 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 10 |
| Share born in this state | 89.0% |
| Share born in another state | 11.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 11.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 24 |
Households & Family Composition
81 households. Averaging 1.5 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 14% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 24 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 13 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 24 |
| Average household size | 1.49 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 50.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,205 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 651 |
| Family households | 11 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 13.6% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 81 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. The surrounding county is gaining 2,699 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Lived in same home a year ago | 91.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 80,409 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 77,710 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,699 |
| 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 | 32 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 17.7% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 019 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Bedford |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Bedford County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,309 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Bedford County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 52.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 30.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 78,997 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 91, shrinking, retirement community, high crime, heritage: American/Brazilian |
| Town Summary · Population | 91 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Bedford County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade