Ferrum: Demographics & People
About 1,774 people live in Ferrum, in 406 households. Population grew 9.4% from 1,622 (2022) to 1,774 (2024). Median age 21.8 years. (26.6y younger than Franklin County; 16.0y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 16% of the population. Population is 75% White (non-Hispanic) and 19% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.43). 60% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,640 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 34% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 4.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 40% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 30 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 9.4% from 1,622 (2022) to 1,774 (2024) — about 15.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,944 (extrapolated at 4.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,186.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 54,477 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 9.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,622 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,774 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 1,774 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 2,186 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 21.8y is 17.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 16% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 21.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 15.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,774 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 280 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 978.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 389.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 127 |
| Population under 18 | 280 |
| Median age | 21.8 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 1,774 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.43 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 1,090 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 412 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 46 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 43.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 70.4% |
| Asian population | 0.1% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 18.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 75.3% (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). 0.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,247 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 502 |
| Share born in this state | 70.3% |
| Share born in another state | 29.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 28.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 14 |
| From Africa | 9 |
Households & Family Composition
406 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 60% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 200 families, 61% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 176 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 200 |
| Married couples with children | 122 |
| Average household size | 2.16 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 6.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,181 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 466 |
| Family households | 245 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 60.3% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 406 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. 14.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,640 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 14.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 50,128 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 48,488 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,640 |
| 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 | 120 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.0% |
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. 807 residents live in group quarters (45.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 807 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51067 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 067 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Franklin |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 18.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 21.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51067 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,953 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51067 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 38.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 56,042 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 15.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,774, booming, young community, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,774 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Franklin County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade