Buchanan County: Demographics & People
Buchanan County is home to 19,415 people, in 7,530 households. Median age 47.8 years. (10.0y older than Virginia). Population is 4% Black and 1% Hispanic or Latino. County is losing 377 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 26% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 68 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 19,415; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 19,415 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 1,660 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 47.8y is 8.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 19,415 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 3,252 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 3,474.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 8,056.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 4,633 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 16.8% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 17.9% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 41.5% |
| Median age | 47.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 19,415 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 19,415 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 18,205 |
| Black residents | 751 |
| Asian residents | 152 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 8 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 15 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 284 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 213 |
| Diversity Index | 11.9% |
| Asian population | 0.8% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 3.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 19.4% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 19,415 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 19,255 |
| Residents born in this state | 14,054 |
| Residents born in another state | 5,120 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 3,772 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 262 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 81 |
| Foreign-born residents | 19.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
7,530 households.
| Family households | 4,931 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 7,530 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is losing 377 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,600 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,977 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -377 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
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.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 18,204 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 6,872 |
| Pct With Disability | 37.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
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. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 1,258 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 19,256 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 18,817 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 143 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 197 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 94 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 5 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 439 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 2.3% |
| Pct White | 93.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29