Vansant: Demographics & People
Census counts 551 people in Vansant, in 257 households. Population grew 50.1% from 367 (2022) to 551 (2024). Median age 30.3 years. (17.5y younger than Buchanan County; 7.5y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 78% White (non-Hispanic) and 22% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.20). 59% of households are family-led. County is losing 377 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 45% adult obesity, 26% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 41% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 85 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 50.1% from 367 (2022) to 551 (2024) — about 83.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~861 (extrapolated at 25.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,422.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 20,355 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 50.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 367 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 551 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 551 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,422 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 30.3y is 8.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 30.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 551 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 101 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 212.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 86.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 152 |
| Population under 18 | 101 |
| Median age | 30.3 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 551 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.20 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 325 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 42 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 20.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 88.6% |
| Black population | 21.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 78.4% (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 (2)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 282 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 243 |
| Share born in this state | 51.2% |
| Share born in another state | 48.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 44.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 42 |
| From Africa | 32 |
Households & Family Composition
257 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 59% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 112 families, 7% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 82 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 112 |
| Married couples with children | 8 |
| Average household size | 2.27 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 6.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 31 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 31 |
| Family households | 151 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 58.8% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 257 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 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 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 | 33 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 14.4% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-09 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Buchanan |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 27.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 41.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51027 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Buchanan County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 856 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Buchanan County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 54.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 48.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 41.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 21,004 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 551, booming, young professional, lower-income, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 551 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Buchanan County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade