Signals
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
Lufkin
Growth
53 · Top 44%
vs60 · Top 34%
Climate
65 · Bottom 46%
vs75 · Top 20%
Physical resilience
71 · Top 27%
vs69 · Top 31%
Housing affordability
88 · Bottom 31%
vs93 · Bottom 45%
Access
47 · Bottom 11%
vs55 · Bottom 16%
Economic stability
22 · Bottom 12%
vs38 · Bottom 32%
Measured values
| Metric | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | Lufkin | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,664 | 87,275 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,839 | $60,960 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,750 | $29,614 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 125/sq mi | 109/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $240,900 | $163,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,104 | $1,076 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.9% | 64.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.9% | 17.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 19.7% | 15.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 696 | 176 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.8 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 60.0% | 63.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 38°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 42.1" | 50.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 78 mi | 78 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.9 min | 21.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Lufkin
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane, tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
55
Your Score
57
Area Score
Lufkin
65
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA Metro Area · Lufkin, TX Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology