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Grayson County, Virginia (VA)



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County population in July 2007: 16,072 (1% urban, 99% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 5,902
Renter-occupied apartments: 1,357
% of renters here:  19%
State:  32%
Land area: 443 sq. mi.
Water area: 3.3 sq. mi.
Population density: 36 people per square mile 
 
 (low).

2008 cost of living index in Grayson County: 78.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Manufacturing (34.4%), Educational,health and social services (18.7%), Retail trade (10.3%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 79%
  • Government: 12%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 8%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%

Grayson County, Virginia business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Grayson County, Virginia:

  • White Non-Hispanic (90.9%)
  • Black (6.8%)
  • Hispanic (1.5%)
  • Other race (0.7%)
  • Two or more races (0.6%)
  • American Indian (0.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Median resident age:  40.5 years
Virginia median age:  35.7 years

Males: 9,289  (51.8%)
Females: 8,628  (48.2%)
Average wage per job in 2003: $22,123
County population in 2003: 16,571
Jobs in 2003: 2,773

Grayson County, VA forum
Recent posts about Grayson County, Virginia on our local forum with over 400,000 registered users. Grayson County is mentioned 28 times on our forum:
Grayson County Prison Info  (1 reply)
Questions about Abingdon, VA  (52 replies)
mountains  (39 replies)
Get acquainted with a small-town -- SW VA for a short-term lease  (31 replies)
Galax/Hillsville Area Photos??  (11 replies)
Lots of mountain privacy!  (12 replies)
Total labor force in 2004: 7,812
Unemployment rate in 2004: 4.9%

Average household size:
Grayson County:  2.3 people
Virginia:  2.5 people

Estimated median household income in 2007: $36,591 ($28,676 in 1999)
This county:  $36,591
Virginia:  $59,562

2007 median house/condo value: $137,227 ($65,800 in 2000)
Grayson County:  $137,227
Virginia:  $262,100

Median contract rent in 2007 for apartments: $336 (lower quartile is $232, upper quartile is $445)
This county:  $336
State:  $753


Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $127,754 (it was $62,200 in 2000)
Grayson County:  $127,754
Virginia:  $262,100
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $62,024 - $216,157

Mean price in 2007:
Detached houses: $187,666
Here:  $187,666
State:  $357,398

Townhouses or other attached units: $166,505
Here:  $166,505
State:  $371,438

In 2-unit structures: $931,320
Here:  $931,320
State:  $295,743

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $121,014
Here:  $121,014
State:  $305,320

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $134,598
Here:  $134,598
State:  $316,638

Mobile homes: $33,909
Here:  $33,909
State:  $37,843

Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $191,250
Here:  $191,250
State:  $92,978
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $981
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $186

Institutionalized population: 1,163


Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 2
  • Rapes: 2
  • Robberies: 1
  • Assaults: 12
  • Burglaries: 67
  • Thefts: 76
  • Auto thefts: 12

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 4
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 19
  • Burglaries: 62
  • Thefts: 68
  • Auto thefts: 12

Grayson County races chart


Grayson County, VA map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:
  • 2000: 122 buildings, average cost: $66,800
  • 2001: 126 buildings, average cost: $66,800
  • 2002: 137 buildings, average cost: $66,800
  • 2003: 0 buildings
  • 2004: 58 buildings, average cost: $101,100

Number of permits per 10,000 residents


Average cost (in 1000s)




2004 Presidential Election results in Grayson County Virginia:


Bush/Cheney (Republican): 65.2%
Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 34.0%




Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: $339 (0.5%)

Grayson County household income distribution in 2007 Grayson County home values distribution


Grayson County contract rent distribution in 2007

Residents with income below the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  13.6%
Whole state:  9.6%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  4.9%
Whole state:  4.3%

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Grayson County is $416 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $483 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $616 a month.

Cities in this county include: Independence, Fries.

Neighboring counties: Alleghany County, North Carolina , Ashe County, North Carolina , Carroll County , Johnson County, Tennessee , Surry County, North Carolina , Smyth County , Washington County , Wythe County , Galax city .


Grayson County close-up map

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Grayson County: Hacklers Store (A), Rectors Store (B), Haw Orchard (C), Catrons Mill (D), Park (E), Sinclair Preston Landscape for the Future (F), Cox Chapel (G), Old Orchard Shelter (H), Elk Garden (I), Fox Creek Appalachian Trail Head (J), Fox Creek Horse Camp (K). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Grayson County include: Pine Mountain Church (A), Pleasant Branch Church (B), Pleasant Grove Church (C), Galax Church (D), Pleasant Hill Church (E), Potato Creek Church (F), Providence Church (G), Razor Ridge Church (H), Redman Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Liberty Hill Cemetery (1), Jerusalem Cemetery (2), Gold Hill Cemetery (3), Reedy Cemetery (4), Dainel Cemetery (5), Pugh Cemetery (6), Providence Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map

Reservoirs: Hale Lake (A), Hampton Lake (B), Fields Reservoir (C). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Potato Creek (A), Powdermill Creek (B), Moore Creek (C), Jones Branch (D), Quebec Branch (E), Johns Creek (F), Opossum Creek (G), Hanks Branch (H), Redman Branch (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Park in Grayson County: Grayson Highlands State Park (1). Display/hide its location on the map

 
Unemployment in September 2007:
Here:  5.1%
Virginia:  2.8%


Unemployment by year (%)


County total employment by year


County average yearly wages by year ($)


Current college students: 439
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 64.1%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.0%

Number of foreign born residents: 212 (30% naturalized citizens)

Grayson County:  1.2%
Whole state:  8.1%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 1995 to March 2000: 69
  • 1990 to 1994: 58
  • 1985 to 1989: 17
  • 1980 to 1984: 18
  • 1975 to 1979: 9
  • 1970 to 1974: 2
  • 1970 to 1974: 28
  • 1965 to 1969: 11


Mean travel time to work: 29.0 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 31.9%

Grayson County marital status for males
Grayson County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 6,538
  • One, attached: 44
  • Two: 80
  • 3 or 4: 81
  • 5 to 9: 84
  • 10 to 19: 18
  • 20 or more: 38
  • Mobile homes: 1,961
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 279

Housing units in Grayson County with a mortgage: 1,474 (88 second mortgage, 123 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 1,732

Here:  46.0% with mortgage
State:  75.1% with mortgage

Agriculture in Grayson County
Average size of farms: 160 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $29636
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $264.50
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 5.63%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 75.51%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $22936
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 17.11%
Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 2.32%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $32205
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 92.65%
Average age of principal farm operators: 56 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 22.59
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 6.76%
Corn for grain: 111 harvested acres
Vegetables: 20 harvested acres

Grayson County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Virginia state average. It is 6.8 times below overall U.S. average.



Class of Workers



Most common industries for males:



  • Furniture and related products (15%)
  • Construction (12%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (6%)
  • Truck transportation (5%)
  • Health care (4%)
  • Nonmetallic mineral products (4%)
  • Educational services (4%)


Most common industries for females:



  • Health care (19%)
  • Educational services (11%)
  • Furniture and related products (9%)
  • Textile mills and textile products (6%)
  • Department and other general merchandise stores (6%)
  • Accommodation and food services (5%)
  • Apparel (4%)


Most common occupations for males



  • Other production occupations including supervisors (12%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (9%)
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations including supervisors (5%)
  • Laborers and material movers, hand (5%)
  • Woodworkers (4%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (4%)


Most common occupations for females



  • Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers (9%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (6%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (6%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Cashiers (5%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (4%)
  • Registered nurses (4%)


Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents:



  • Mexico (48%)
  • Guatemala (17%)
  • Germany (6%)
  • Egypt (6%)
  • Other South America (5%)
  • Japan (4%)
  • Canada (3%)


Most common first ancestries reported in Grayson County:



  • United States or American (37%)
  • English (18%)
  • German (9%)
  • Irish (8%)
  • Scotch-Irish (4%)
  • Scottish (2%)
  • Italian (2%)

Grayson County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

  • Drove a car alone: 5,685 (74%)
  • Carpooled: 1,505 (20%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 33 (0%)
  • Walked: 107 (1%)
  • Other means: 41 (1%)
  • Worked at home: 334 (4%)


Owners and renters by unit type in %



Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders


People in group quarters in Grayson County, Virginia
  • 1036 people in state prisons
  • 117 people in nursing homes
  • 10 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $34,377.

4.76% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($32,977 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  4.76%
Virginia average:  11.06%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.24% relocated from other counties in Virginia ($12,517 average AGI)
2.52% relocated from other states ($20,459 average AGI)
Grayson County:  2.52%
Virginia average:  4.24%



Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Carroll County, VA  0.66% ($20,528 average AGI)
from Galax city, VA  0.39% ($15,143)
from Alleghany County, NC  0.35% ($36,053)
from Wythe County, VA  0.28% ($18,467)
from Ashe County, NC  0.20% ($30,818)
from Surry County, NC  0.20% ($23,455)
from Smyth County, VA  0.20% ($33,000)


5.15% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($23,893 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  5.15%
Virginia average:  10.78%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
2.98% relocated to other counties in Virginia ($13,434 average AGI)
2.16% relocated to other states ($10,463 average AGI)
Grayson County:  2.16%
Virginia average:  4.13%



Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Carroll County, VA  0.86% ($24,298 average AGI)
to Galax city, VA  0.64% ($24,171)
to Wythe County, VA  0.42% ($23,696)
to Ashe County, NC  0.26% ($34,500)
to Alleghany County, NC  0.22% ($24,250)
to Smyth County, VA  0.18% ($15,600)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.3
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 9.9



Births per 1000 population in Grayson County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.6
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 13.2



Deaths per 1000 population in Grayson County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 5.8
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 7.9



Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Grayson County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 3,080 (2,462 aged, 618 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 13%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10%

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 885.980
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1515.340

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 18.61
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 18.33

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 6.11

Crimes per 100,000 population in 1996 : 1


Household type by relationship


Households: 16,792
  • In family households: 14,386 (4,322 male householders, 780 female householders)
    4,281 spouses, 4,250 children (3,896 natural, 129 adopted, 225 stepchildren), 228 grandchildren, 126 brothers or sisters, 100 parents, 119 other relatives, 180 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 2,406 (948 male householders (805 living alone)), 1,211 female householders (1,146 living alone)), 247 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 1,125 (all institutionalized)

Size of family households: 2,646 2-persons, 1,267 3-persons, 841 4-persons, 276 5-persons, 47 6-persons, 25 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 1,951 1-person, 181 2-persons, 16 3-persons, 11 4-persons.

97.1% of residents of Grayson County speak English at home.
2.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (46% speak English very well, 33% speak English well, 16% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).
0.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (80% speak English very well, 10% speak English well, 10% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (50% speak English very well, 50% speak English well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (46% speak English very well, 54% speak English well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $87,679,000 ($5317 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $5,943,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $41,595,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $18,662,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $502,000
Federal grants: $19,571,000
Federal procurement contracts: $5,114,000 ($4,213,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $2,235,000 ($30,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $129,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,670,000
Federal Government insurance: $3,566,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 835
Here:  51 per 1000 residents
State:  70 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 1,122
Here:  69 per 1000 residents
State:  40 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +45
Here:  +3 per 1000 residents
State:  +18 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -256
Here:  -16 per 1000 residents
State:  +14 per 1000 residents



Population growth in Grayson County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.21 millions of gallons per day (67% from ground, 33% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:  5.4
State:  6.6

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:  4.4
State:  4.3



Year house built:

  • 1999 to March 2000: 202
  • 1995 to 1998: 875
  • 1990 to 1994: 747
  • 1980 to 1989: 1,545
  • 1970 to 1979: 1,709
  • 1960 to 1969: 1,108
  • 1950 to 1959: 835
  • 1940 to 1949: 737
  • 1939 or earlier: 1,365

Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Grayson County, Virginia:
  • 1 room: 14
  • 2 rooms: 2
  • 3 rooms: 209
  • 4 rooms: 848
  • 5 rooms: 2,034
  • 6 rooms: 1,412
  • 7 rooms: 696
  • 8 rooms: 399
  • 9+ rooms: 288


Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Grayson County, Virginia:
  • 1 room: 22
  • 2 rooms: 57
  • 3 rooms: 160
  • 4 rooms: 465
  • 5 rooms: 309
  • 6 rooms: 193
  • 7 rooms: 84
  • 8 rooms: 20
  • 9+ rooms: 47


Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Grayson County:
  • no bedroom: 22
  • 1 bedroom: 126
  • 2 bedrooms: 1,671
  • 3 bedrooms: 3,267
  • 4 bedrooms: 624
  • 5+ bedrooms: 192


Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Grayson County:
  • no bedroom: 31
  • 1 bedroom: 173
  • 2 bedrooms: 659
  • 3 bedrooms: 361
  • 4 bedrooms: 97
  • 5+ bedrooms: 36


Cars and other vehicles available in Grayson County in owner-occupied houses/condos:
  • no vehicle: 378
  • 1 vehicle: 1,385
  • 2 vehicles: 2,463
  • 3 vehicles: 1,255
  • 4 vehicles: 349
  • 5+ vehicles: 72


Cars and other vehicles available in Grayson County in renter-occupied apartments
  • no vehicle: 248
  • 1 vehicle: 563
  • 2 vehicles: 406
  • 3 vehicles: 113
  • 4 vehicles: 16
  • 5+ vehicles: 11


69% of Grayson County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 36% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 65% lived in Virginia.

Grayson County:  68.9%
State average:  53.8%


Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 12207
  • Northeast: 628
  • Midwest: 331
  • South: 4284
  • West: 221

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $42,500


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 5%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 4%


Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

 


Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (49.0%)
  • Electricity (31.3%)
  • Wood (13.2%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (5.9%)
  • Other fuel (0.5%)


Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (44.9%)
  • Electricity (35.0%)
  • Wood (13.7%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (4.1%)
  • No fuel used (1.3%)
  • Coal or coke (0.5%)



Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 33
Here:  2.0%
Virginia:  9.5%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 101
Here:  11.4%
Virginia:  8.2%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 64
Here:  17.5%
Virginia:  20.6%


Educational Attainment


School Enrollment by Level of School



Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients under 18


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients between 18 and 64