Buchanan: Demographics & People
Buchanan's population stands at 1,367 people, in 528 households. Population grew 7.5% from 1,271 (2022) to 1,367 (2024). Median age 43.2 years. (4.3y younger than Botetourt County; 5.4y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 93% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.09). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 393 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 65 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 7.5% from 1,271 (2022) to 1,367 (2024) — about 12.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,472 (extrapolated at 3.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,619.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,596 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 7.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,271 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,367 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 1,367 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,619 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 43.2y is 4.3 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 43.2 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,367 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 315 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 278.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 548.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 226 |
| Population under 18 | 315 |
| Median age | 43.2 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 1,367 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.09 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 1,192 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 49 |
| Asian residents | 4 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 8.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 95.4% |
| Asian population | 0.9% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 3.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 93.3% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.0% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 998 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 339 |
| Share born in this state | 73.0% |
| Share born in another state | 27.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 5 |
| From Africa | 5 |
Households & Family Composition
528 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 307 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 252 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 307 |
| Married couples with children | 53 |
| Single-parent households | 4 |
| Average household size | 2.53 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 14 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 8 |
| Family households | 338 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 64.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 528 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. 11.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 393 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 34,538 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 34,145 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 393 |
| 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 | 132 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 11.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51023 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 023 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Botetourt |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51023 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Botetourt County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 971 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51023 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Botetourt County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 58.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 29.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 33,419 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,367, booming, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,367 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Botetourt County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade