1st Advantage MortgageCarroll County households have a median income of $54,484 and median rent of $738 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Carroll County
- How much Carroll County households make
- Carroll County housing compared with Virginia
- The Carroll County job picture
- Carroll County towns compared
- How Carroll County compares with nearby counties
- Carroll County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Carroll County median
- Lender oversight for Carroll County
- A Carroll County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Carroll County
Roughly 29,157 residents live in Carroll County, Virginia, 60th by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 475 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 61 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Carroll County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (1 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Hillsville, with about 2,864 residents, or 10% of the county.
How much Carroll County households make
At $54,484, the typical Carroll County household income is 17% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 110 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Carroll County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.7% | +15.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -7.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -15.0 pts |
Some 34% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 15.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.441 here. None of these numbers decides a Carroll County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Carroll County housing compared with Virginia
A typical Carroll County rental runs $738 a month including utilities, which is 53% below Virginia. 35% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,500, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1981.
| Measure | Carroll County | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $738/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,500 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.5% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 25% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Carroll County job picture
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Carroll County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward manufacturing (17% against 7%). The survey's unemployment rate for Carroll County averages 5.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). About 84% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Carroll County | Gap to Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +4.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.3% | +10.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +3.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -11.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Carroll County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Carroll County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Carroll County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 6,292 people, so roughly 78% of residents live outside any named place. Woodlawn has the highest median household income on the list ($78,405) and Hillsville the lowest ($58,000), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsville | town | 2,864 | $58,000 | $747 | 2 mi |
| Woodlawn | CDP | 2,250 | $78,405 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Cana | CDP | 964 | $61,607 | $1,083 | 11 mi |
| Fancy Gap | CDP | 214 | $98,798 | n/a | 4 mi |
How Carroll County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 11 to 25 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Carroll County; Floyd County is highest at $62,191 and Galax city lowest at $38,675. The list crosses into North Carolina, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | - | $54,484 | $738/mo | 77% |
| Galax city, VA | 11 mi | $38,675 | $743/mo | 56% |
| Surry County, NC | 22 mi | $55,656 | $761/mo | 73% |
| Wythe County, VA | 23 mi | $57,745 | $764/mo | 77% |
| Pulaski County, VA | 23 mi | $62,028 | $813/mo | 73% |
| Patrick County, VA | 25 mi | $53,038 | $716/mo | 77% |
| Floyd County, VA | 25 mi | $62,191 | $878/mo | 84% |
Carroll County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Carroll County | Virginia | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.2% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Reading the Carroll County data as a borrower
Where the Carroll County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 49.4, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Carroll County median
How much room does a median Carroll County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Carroll County: $4,540
- 16% goes to median rent ($738)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $897 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Carroll County
Carroll County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Virginia state guide for the statewide picture.
A Carroll County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Carroll County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Virginia borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Carroll County earn?
The median is $54,484; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Carroll County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $738 against $1,579 statewide, and 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Hillsville?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Carroll County, such as Woodlawn, Cana, Fancy Gap.
Can Carroll County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Virginia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Carroll County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Virginia it is the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions.