New River: Demographics & People
268 people call New River home, in 166 households. Population shrank 28.9% from 377 (2022) to 268 (2024). Median age 60.5 years. (13.7y older than Pulaski County; 22.7y older than Virginia). Population is 78% Black and 16% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.49). 22% of households are family-led. County is gaining 161 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 1.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 78% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 28.9% from 377 (2022) to 268 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~196 (extrapolated at -14.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 120.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,800 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -28.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 377 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 268 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 268 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 120 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 60.5y is 21.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 60.5 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 268 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 40.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 117.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 111 |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 14.9% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 43.7% |
| Median age | 60.5 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 268 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.49 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 103 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 246 |
| Asian residents | 28 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 49.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 65.3% |
| Asian population | 6.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 77.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 16.0% (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 (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 244 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 7 |
| Share born in this state | 91.0% |
| Share born in another state | 9.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 2.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 643 |
Households & Family Composition
166 households. Averaging 1.7 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 22% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 95 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Total families | 95 |
|---|---|
| Average household size | 1.71 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 58.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 736 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 194 |
| Family households | 37 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 22.3% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 166 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 gaining 161 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 27,654 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,493 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 161 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-09 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 155 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pulaski |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 30.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 24.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 35.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,550 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51155 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pulaski County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 29.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 34,027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 10 |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 268, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 268 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Pulaski County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade