Atkins: Demographics & People
Atkins's population stands at 985 people, in 440 households. Population shrank 4.0% from 1,026 (2022) to 985 (2024). Median age 48.9 years. (2.5y older than Smyth County; 11.1y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 80% White (non-Hispanic) and 18% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.26). 71% of households are family-led. County is gaining 694 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 23% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 29% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 72 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 4.0% from 1,026 (2022) to 985 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~945 (extrapolated at -2.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 895.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 29,800 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -4.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,026 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 985 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 985 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 895 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 48.9y is 10.0 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 48.9 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 12.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 985 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 127 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 190.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 383.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 285 |
| Population under 18 | 127 |
| Median age | 48.9 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 985 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.26 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 1,012 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 181 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 25.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 18.5% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 79.8% (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 (6)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 792 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 88 |
| Share born in this state | 80.4% |
| Share born in another state | 19.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 8.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 10.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 133 |
Households & Family Composition
440 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 71% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 316 families, 6% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 138 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 316 |
| Married couples with children | 20 |
| Single-parent households | 55 |
| Average household size | 2.08 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 14 |
| Family households | 312 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 70.9% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 440 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. 5.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 694 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 23,811 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 23,117 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 694 |
| 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 | 79 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.7% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51173 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 173 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Smyth |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 25.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 20.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 30.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51173 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Smyth County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,384 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51173 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Smyth County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 57.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 37.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 30,104 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 1.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 12.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 985, declining, established, working-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 985 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Smyth County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade