Pearisburg: Demographics & People
Pearisburg is home to 2,860 people, in 1,267 households. Population shrank 0.1% from 2,864 (2022) to 2,860 (2024). Median age 48.1 years. (2.7y older than Giles County; 10.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 88% White (non-Hispanic) and 11% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.17). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 608 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.1% from 2,864 (2022) to 2,860 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~2,855 (extrapolated at -0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 16,787 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,864 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 2,860 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 2,860 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 2,850 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 48.1y is 9.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 48.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 2,860 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 524 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 568.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,088.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 680 |
| Population under 18 | 524 |
| Median age | 48.1 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 2,860 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.17 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 2,594 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 253 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 12 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 16.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 90.7% |
| Black population | 10.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.4% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 88.5% (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 (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,118 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 663 |
| Share born in this state | 74.1% |
| Share born in another state | 25.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 23.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 69 |
| From Africa | 25 |
Households & Family Composition
1,267 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 738 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 471 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 738 |
| Married couples with children | 199 |
| Average household size | 2.30 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 8.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 87 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 39 |
| Family households | 769 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 60.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 1,267 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. 5.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 608 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 15,040 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,432 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 608 |
| 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 | 233 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.1% |
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. 15 residents live in group quarters (0.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 15 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 071 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Giles |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 25.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 19.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 32.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Giles County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 721 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51071 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Giles County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 46.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 35.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 16,720 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 4.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 2,860, stable, established, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 2,860 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Giles County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade