Demographics
Population
The most recent data show the estimated population of Montgomery County at 85,614 in 2003. There was a 12.8% increase in 2000 since the last official census in 1990. While this growth rate is less than the 16.4% of the previous decade, the county continues to enjoy a manageable rate of growth in population. The decreased rate may be attributed to stabilizing enrollments at Virginia Tech.
Population of New River Valley
| Locality |
2003 |
2002 |
1998 |
1990 |
Percent Change
1990-1998 |
Percent Change
1998-02 |
Percent Change
1990-2002 |
Montgomery County
Blacksburg
Christiansburg |
85,614
40,066
17,756 |
85,368
40,108
17,545 |
77,500
33,651
16,153 |
73,913
34,590
15,004 |
4.9%
-2.7%
7.6% |
10.2%
19.2%
8.6% |
15.5%
16.0%
16.9% |
| City of Radford |
15,100 |
15,670 |
15,800 |
15,940 |
-0.9% |
-0.8% |
-1.6% |
| Giles County |
16,956 |
17,083 |
16,500 |
16,366 |
0.8% |
3.5% |
4.4% |
| Floyd County |
14,500 |
14,248 |
13,200 |
11,965 |
10.3% |
7.9% |
19.1% |
| Pulaski County |
35,030 |
35,028 |
34,700 |
34,496 |
0.6% |
0.9% |
1.5% |
| New River Valley |
167,200 |
167,397 |
157,600 |
152,600 |
3.2% |
6.2% |
9.6% |
Source: Virginia Population Estimates: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and U.S. Bureau of Census, 2004
Population Projections 1990-2040
Source: New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, 2002
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Population by Sex and Race
| Locality |
All Persons |
Male |
Female |
White |
Black |
American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleutian |
Asian or Pacific Islander |
Other Race |
| Montgomery County |
85,614 |
44,862
52.4% |
40,753
47.6% |
77,053
90.0% |
3,168
3.7% |
172
0.2% |
3,425
4.0% |
514
0.6% |
| Blacksburg |
40,066 |
22,397
52.4% |
17,669
44.1% |
33,816
84.4% |
1,763
4.4% |
45
0.1% |
3,165
7.9% |
361
0.9% |
| Christiansburg |
17,756 |
8,541
48.1% |
9,215
51.9% |
16,531
93.1% |
852
4.8% |
36
0.2% |
71
0.4% |
89
0.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2003.
Population by Educational Attainment
| Locality |
All Persons |
High School Graduate |
Some College |
Associate’s Degree |
Bachelor’s Degree |
Graduate or Professional Degree |
| Montgomery County |
85,614 |
20,290
23.7% |
14,982
17.5% |
4,880
5.7% |
14,811
17.3% |
15,924
18.6% |
| Blacksburg |
40,066 |
4,287
10.7% |
5,329
13.3% |
1,923
4.8% |
10,137
25.3% |
15,586
38.9% |
| Christiansburg |
17,756 |
4,670
26.3% |
3,816
21.5% |
1,580
8.9% |
2,841
16.0% |
1,616
9.1% |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2000.
Population by Age
| Locality |
All Persons |
Under 5 yrs |
5-17 yrs |
18-24 yrs |
25-44 yrs |
45-64 yrs |
Over 65 |
Median Age |
| Montgomery County |
85,614 |
4,109 |
18,921 |
18,407 |
21,917 |
14,726 |
7,363 |
25.9 |
| Blacksburg |
40,066 |
1,162 |
10,017 |
15,626 |
7,452 |
3,646 |
2,003 |
21.9 |
| Christiansburg |
17,756 |
1,314 |
3,303 |
1,030 |
5,913 |
4,066 |
2,148 |
35.2 |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2000.
Age Distribution
Figure 1 provides a comparison of the age distribution in Montgomery County in 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000.
From 1970 to 1990, the age distribution has shifted significantly with the population becoming
increasingly older. By 2000, 26% percent of the population was between the ages of 25 and 44, compared
with only 23 percent in this age group in 1970. This can be attributed to the marked increase in
enrollment at Virginia Tech over the past thirty years.
Figure 1
Population Age Distribution
1970-1980-1990-2000
Percentage of Total Population
Income
The large student population in the area, which, alternatively, tends to diminish the income figures, heavily influences Montgomery County's income figures. In 2001, there were over 35,000 full and part time students at Virginia Tech in Montgomery County and Radford University in the City of Radford, with the student population representing one-third of the total population for these two localities. Median family income, per capita personal income, and disposable income figures are presented in tables below:
Median Family Income
| Locality |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
| Montgomery County |
$8,255 |
$17,084 |
$32,128 |
$47,239 |
| New River Valley |
$9,048 |
$20,423 |
$38,213 |
$43,208 |
| Virginia |
$9,048 |
$20,423 |
$38,213 |
$54,169 |
Source: Virginia Population Estimates: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and U.S. Bureau of the Census
Median Family Income
Source: New River Economic Development Alliance, 2002
Comparison of Per Capita Personal Income
| Locality |
2000 |
1990 |
Total Increase |
Average Growth over Decade |
| Montgomery County |
Amount
Percent of VA Income
Percent of US Income |
$17,077
71.2%
79.1% |
$13,243
67.2%
71.0% |
$3,834 |
29.0% |
| Virginia |
Amount
Percent of US Income |
$23,975
111.1% |
$19,701
105.4% |
$4,274 |
21.7% |
| United States |
Amount
Percent of VA Income |
$21,587
90.0% |
$18,696
95.0% |
$2,891 |
15.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2002
Comparison of Per Capita Disposable Income
| Locality |
1998 |
1990 |
Total Increase |
Average Annual Growth |
| Virginia |
Amount
Percent of US Income |
$23,105
103.0% |
$17,085
105.8% |
$6,020 |
5.7% |
| United States |
Amount
Percent of VA Income |
$22,424
97.0% |
$6,270
94.5% |
$4,173 |
5.7% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 1999, and U.S. Department of Commerce
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