Chilhowie, VA demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
2,428
-1.4% year-over-year change
Median household income
$51,429/yr
-3.4% year-over-year change
Housing units
931
-2.1% year-over-year change

Chilhowie population

How many people live in Chilhowie

Chilhowie is home to 2,428 residents, according to the most recent Census data. Gender-wise, 46.4% of Chilhowie locals are male, and 53.6% are female.

Total population
2,428
-1.4% year-over-year change
Gender ratio
Male
46.4%
1,126
Female
53.6%
1,302
Value Percent YoY change
Male 1,126 46.4% 0.8%
Female 1,302 53.6% -3.2%
A higher population often means more rental variety and livelier areas. The gender balance—how many men live here compared to women—can reveal a lot about the community and the lifestyles of its residents. Use this info to get a sense of the area's pace and personality.

Age demographics

The median age in Chilhowie is 42, with the population distributed as follows: about 19.4% are children under 15, then 11.4% are in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 21.4% of the population, while another 25.7% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket. Finally, around 22.2% are 65 or older.

Median age
42.5
Age breakdown
Under 15
19.4%
15 to 24
11.4%
25 to 44
21.4%
45 to 64
25.7%
Over 65
22.2%
Value Percent YoY change
Under 15 471 19.4% 27.6%
15 to 24 276 11.4% -5.5%
25 to 44 520 21.4% 0.2%
45 to 64 623 25.7% -15.1%
Over 65 538 22.2% -1.8%
The age composition helps you get insight into who lives in the area. A younger population might mean a more active, fast-paced vibe, while an older one could suggest a quieter, slower lifestyle. If there's a balanced makeup, you’re likely to find a variety of services, housing types, and community spaces that cater to different life stages.

Racial makeup

In Chilhowie, 95.2% of the population are US-born citizens, while 0.9% have gained naturalized citizenship. At the same time, 4% of residents are non-citizens. As for race, 85.3% of locals are Caucasian, 4.4% are African American and 1% have Asian roots. There’s also a share of 6.9% that includes residents with two or more races.

Citizenship
U.S.-born citizens
95.2%
Non-U.S.-born citizens
0.9%
Non-citizens
4%
Value Percent YoY change
U.S.-born citizens 2,311 95.2% -2.8%
Non-U.S.-born citizens 21 0.9% 40.0%
Non-citizens 96 4% 39.1%
Racial breakdown
White
85.3%
Black or African American
4.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0%
Asian
1%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
6.9%
Other
2.4%
Value Percent
White 2,070 85.3%
Black or African American 108 4.4%
Asian 23 1%
Two or more races 168 6.9%
Other 59 2.4%

Households in Chilhowie

A peek inside Chilhowie households

Chilhowie has 880 households, with an average of 3 members in each. Of these, 70.2% are families, while the remaining 29.8% are made up of individuals living alone or with non-relatives, such as roommates.

Households stats

Total households
880
-1.2% year-over-year change
Average people per household
3
Non-family households
262
Family households
618
Value Percent YoY change
Non-family households 262 29.8% -1.1%
Family households 618 70.2% -1.3%
The mix between family and non-family households gives a glimpse into daily life. A higher percentage of families might mean more parks and schools, while more non-family setups can mean flexible housing and diverse living styles. For renters, this can signal what kinds of homes are common and can help you figure out if the area matches your lifestyle.

Housing in Chilhowie

The housing landscape of Chilhowie

Chilhowie's housing consists of 931 units, with 69% being detached single-family homes ideal for those wanting space. Attached options, including duplexes and townhouses, make up 2% and offer a more compact, shared living style. Then there are the multifamily buildings in the area, and for those seeking flexibility, non-traditional options like mobile homes account for 10.2% of the housing landscape.

Housing units
931
-2.1% year-over-year change
Housing types
Value Percent
1 unit, detached 642 69%
1 unit, attached 19 2%
2 units 44 4.7%
3 or 4 units 77 8.3%
5 to 9 units 19 2%
10 to 19 units 26 2.8%
20 to 49 units 9 1%
Mobile home 95 10.2%
Homes built since 2020
6
-25.0% year-over-year change

The age of buildings in Chilhowie

In Chilhowie, the median construction year is 1973. About 7.2% of homes were built before the 1940s, with another 8.8% going up by 1949. Most development happened in the second half of the 20th century. Then, 9% of homes were added from 2000 to 2009, 3.1% between 2010 and 2019, and 0.6% are part of the newest wave of development.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent YoY change
Built in 1939 or earlier 67 7.2% -14.1%
Built between 1940 and 1949 82 8.8% 32.3%
Built between 1950 and 1959 133 14.3% -20.8%
Built between 1960 and 1969 123 13.2% 8.8%
Built between 1970 and 1979 222 23.8% -10.8%
Built between 1980 and 1989 106 11.4% 19.1%
Built between 1990 and 1999 79 8.5% 12.9%
Built between 2000 and 2009 84 9% 2.4%
Built between 2010 and 2019 29 3.1% -9.4%
Built in 2020 or later 6 0.6% -25.0%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Chilhowie occupancy rates

Out of the 880 occupied housing units in Chilhowie, 66.7% are owner-occupied, while 33.3% are lived in by tenants. Meanwhile, 5.5% of all homes on the local market sit vacant.

Occupied housing units
880
-1.2% year-over-year change
Occupancy breakdown
Renter occupied
293
Owner occupied
587
Value Percent YoY
change
Renter occupied 293 33.3% -16.1%
Owner occupied 587 66.7% 8.3%
Unoccupied housing units
5.5%
Unoccupied housing units refer to homes that are currently without residents—whether they're waiting for renters or owners, used seasonally, or simply unclaimed. A higher share of empty homes may mean more housing availability, while a low number can reflect a tighter market with more competition. This, along with the renter-vs.-owner mix, helps paint a clearer picture of what types of housing and services are likely to be available in the area.

Chilhowie housing costs

Housing costs in Chilhowie come to a median of $749 per month, while tenants specifically pay a median gross rent of $802.

Median housing costs per month
$749/month
This figure sums up typical monthly housing costs for all households in the area. If you own, it includes mortgage payments in addition to property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. If you rent, it accounts for rent plus extras like utilities. It’s useful for seeing how local living expenses stack up compared to other places.
Median gross rent in Chilhowie
$802/month
Gross rent gives a more complete look at what renters actually pay, including not just base rent, but also utilities and fees. It’s a key number for evaluating rental affordability in your area of interest and understanding how it compares to nearby locations.

Education in Chilhowie

Chilhowie education at a glance

About 42.8% of the population in Chilhowie went to high school, while 13.1% pursued college studies. Another 13.4% earned an associate degree and 12.1% hold a bachelor’s. Meanwhile, 9.6% went even further, earning a master’s or doctorate.

Education level
Value Percent YoY change
No high school 172 9% 25.6%
High school diploma 816 42.8% -10.5%
College diploma 249 13.1% -4.6%
Associate degree 255 13.4% 18.1%
Bachelor's degree 231 12.1% -27.1%
Graduate degree 184 9.6% 2.8%
A community’s education mix can offer insights into the local economy and housing market. Higher levels of education often align with more job opportunities and stable incomes, which can increase demand for homes and influence both rent prices and rental availability.

Income in Chilhowie

How much people earn in Chilhowie

The average annual household income in Chilhowie was $67,637 in 2024, the most recent annual data available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked a -1.3% change from the previous year. At the same time, the median income stood at $51,429, reflecting a -3.4% shift over the same period.

Average household income in Chilhowie
$67,637/year
-1.3% year-over-year change
Median household income in Chilhowie
$51,429/year
-3.4% year-over-year change

Chilhowie income by age

In Chilhowie, households led by residents aged 25 to 44 — usually in the early to mid stages of their careers — have a median income of $85,956. Those with someone between 45 and 64 in charge, often well established professionally, earn $44,896 overall. Younger households, where the main provider is under 25 and just starting out, report a median income of $63,816, while those led by someone over 65, many of whom may be retired, have about $47,647 in earnings. Overall, 87% of the locals in this community live above the poverty line.

Income breakdown by age
Value YoY change
Under 25 $63,816 N/A
25 - 44 $85,956 1.3%
45 - 64 $44,896 -4.9%
Over 65 $47,647 4.5%
Above poverty level
1,927
Below poverty level
288
Value Percent YoY
change
Above poverty level 1,927 87% -1.4%
Below poverty level 288 13% 6.7%

Average renter income in Chilhowie

To get a better sense of what renters earn on average in Chilhowie, their median household income was $41,786 according to 2022 Census data. In addition, the rent-to-income ratio in the area, at 23%, shows what portion of their earnings goes toward housing expenses.

Renter median household income
$41,786
Rent-to-income ratio
23%
Understanding the rent-to-income ratio can help renters gauge if local housing costs align with their earnings. A ratio under 30% usually signals affordability, while exceeding this mark means rent is taking a larger-than-recommended bite out of income. That could make it harder for you to cover other costs like transportation, healthcare, or child care.

Employment in Chilhowie

Workforce and job types in Chilhowie

The job market in Chilhowie is powered by 946 working residents, spread across a range of industries and roles. 67.9% of the working population are employed in professional or administrative positions, while 32.1% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. Also, 6.4% run their own businesses, 72.1% are employed by private companies, and 12.7% work in the public sector.

Workforce demographics

Working population
946
-9.4% year-over-year change
White collar
642
Blue collar
304
Value Percent YoY change
White collar 642 67.9% -15.1%
Blue collar 304 32.1% 5.6%
Employer type
Self employees
6.4%
Private companies
72.1%
Governmental workers
12.7%
Not for profit companies
8.8%
Value Percent YoY change
Self employees 61 6.4% 8.9%
Private companies 682 72.1% -11.4%
Governmental workers 120 12.7% -31.0%
Not for profit companies 83 8.8% 88.6%
Unemployment rate
1.7%
-20.0% year-over-year change

Available workforce

The unemployment rate in Chilhowie stands at 1.7%, representing the share of the workforce currently without a job and actively looking for one.

For renters, the unemployment rate helps paint a picture of job security and financial stability in the area. Rates around 4% to 5% are considered typical. A lower-than-average rate might suggest strong job prospects and a thriving local economy, while a higher rate could hint at fewer opportunities—both useful to consider when planning a move.

Transportation in Chilhowie

How people get around in Chilhowie

In Chilhowie, the average commute time is 19 minutes.

Commute time
19 min
Means of transportation
Value Percent YoY change
Car 870 92% -12.3%
Bicycle 19 2% 0.0%
Understanding how locals get to work can help you plan your own routine. High car usage might mean you’ll need a vehicle, while strong public transit or walkability could save you the hassle. Commute times also play a big role in quality of life—shorter trips can give you more time for the things you enjoy.

What is the median and average household income in Chilhowie by zipcode?

Zipcode Population Number of households Median income Average income
24319 6,997 2,801 $52,721 $61,752

Explore more communities

FAQs about Chilhowie demographics 

What is the total population of Chilhowie?

Chilhowie has a total population of 2,428 residents, according to the latest release from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This figure changed by -1.4% compared to a year ago.

What is the gender ratio in Chilhowie?

The gender ratio in Chilhowie is as follows:
  • 46.4% males (1,126 residents)
  • 53.6% females (1,302 residents)

What is the median age in Chilhowie?

The median age in Chilhowie is 42.5.

What is the age distribution of the population in Chilhowie?

The age distribution in Chilhowie is as follows:
  • Under 15: 19.4% (471 residents)
  • Ages 15-24: 11.4% (276 residents)
  • Ages 25-44: 21.4% (520 residents)
  • Ages 45-64: 25.7% (623 residents)
  • Over 65: 22.2% (538 residents)

What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Chilhowie?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Chilhowie is as follows:
  • White: 85.3% (2,070 residents)
  • Black or African American: 4.4% (108 residents)
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0% (0 residents)
  • Asian: 1% (23 residents)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0% (0 residents)
  • Two or More Races: 6.9% (168 residents)
  • Other: 2.4% (59 residents)

What percentage of the population in Chilhowie are U.S.-born citizens?

U.S.-born citizens represent 95.2% of the population in Chilhowie.

How many housing units are there in Chilhowie?

There are 931 housing units in Chilhowie, reflecting a -2.1% change compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many households are in Chilhowie and what is the average household size?

Chilhowie has a total of 880 households, with an average of 3 people in each.

What is the median household income in Chilhowie?

Chilhowie has a median household income of $51,429, representing a -3.4% shift from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the employment rate and job market overview for Chilhowie?

The employment rate is 98.3% in Chilhowie, with a workforce of 946 residents. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the local job market:

Job types:
  • White-collar workers: 67.9% (642 residents)
  • Blue-collar workers: 32.1% (304 residents)

Places of employment:
  • Self-employed: 6.4% (61 residents)
  • Private companies: 72.1% (682 residents)
  • Governmental workers: 12.7% (120 residents)
  • Not-for-profit companies: 8.8% (83 residents)

Data source & methodology

The demographic data on this page was sourced from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release—the 2019–2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

The information, issued annually, is compiled and published by the Point2Homes Research Team as soon as new data becomes available.

No representation, guarantee, or warranty is made concerning the accuracy or completeness of modified or aggregated information for particular areas.

Page last updated: September 2025