Blacksburg: Demographics & People
Blacksburg's population stands at 45,446 people, in 13,840 households. Population grew 0.3% from 45,288 (2022) to 45,446 (2024). Median age 21.9 years. (8.3y younger than Montgomery County; 15.9y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 10% of the population. Population is 75% White (non-Hispanic) and 11% Asian. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.35). 38% of households are family-led. County is losing 1,461 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 3.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 62% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 21 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.3% from 45,288 (2022) to 45,446 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~45,605 (extrapolated at 0.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 45,818.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 99,721 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 45,288 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 45,446 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 45,446 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 45,818 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 21.9y is 17.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 10% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 21.9 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 9.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | young community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 45,446 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 4,436 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 28,893.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 8,643.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,474 |
| Population under 18 | 4,436 |
| Median age | 21.9 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 45,446 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.35 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 35,170 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2,004 |
| Asian residents | 4,962 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,033 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 34.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 79.6% |
| Asian population | 11.4% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 3.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 75.0% (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). 1.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 15% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 20,259 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 17,871 |
| Share born in this state | 44.6% |
| Share born in another state | 55.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 39.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 14.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 5,895 |
| From Europe | 901 |
| From Asia | 26 |
| From Africa | 3,875 |
| From Latin America | 11 |
Households & Family Composition
13,840 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 38% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 5,146 families, 43% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 4,389 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 5,146 |
| Married couples with children | 2,192 |
| Single-parent households | 84 |
| Average household size | 2.55 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 55 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 55 |
| Family households | 5,270 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 38.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 13,840 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. 34.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 1,461 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 34.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 71,381 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 72,842 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,461 |
| 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 | 1,339 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 3.0% |
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. 10,317 residents live in group quarters (22.7% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 10,317 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51121 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 121 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Montgomery |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 5.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 4.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 6.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51121 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Montgomery County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,137 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51121 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Montgomery County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 56.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 47.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 44.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 98,535 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 12 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 9.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 45,446, stable, young community, middle-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 45,446 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Montgomery County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade