1st Advantage MortgageMontgomery County (99,101 residents) has a $72,715 median household income and $1,240 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Montgomery County at a glance
- What stands out in Montgomery County
- The Montgomery County housing market in figures
- Household income in Montgomery County
- Where Montgomery County works
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Montgomery County
- How Montgomery County compares with nearby counties
- $6,060 a month: the Montgomery County median budget
- Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
- Reading the Montgomery County data as a borrower
- Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
- A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
- Beyond Montgomery County
- Frequently asked questions
Montgomery County at a glance
Roughly 99,101 residents live in Montgomery County, Virginia, 18th by population among the state's 133 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 387 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 256 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan area. Blacksburg is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 45,446 people (46% of the county total).
What stands out in Montgomery County
Where Montgomery County lands at the extremes of Virginia's county rankings:
- Montgomery County ranks 6th lowest of 133 Virginia counties for median age: 30.2, against 39.0 statewide. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Montgomery County ranks 9th lowest of 133 Virginia counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 7%, against 18% statewide. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Few Virginia counties match Montgomery County on the poverty rate: 23.9% here, 9.9% for the state, ranking 9th highest of 133. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
The Montgomery County housing market in figures
$1,240 a month is the median gross rent in Montgomery County, 21% below the state. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. Montgomery County homes are worth $304,600 at the median, a 4.2-to-1 ratio to income. Owners occupy 55% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986. Against the median U.S. county, Montgomery County rent is 41% above.
| Cost | Montgomery County | Virginia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,240/mo | $1,579/mo | 21% lower |
| Median home value | $304,600 | $383,700 | 21% lower |
| Owners | 55% | 67% | -12.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 49% | +3.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 25% | -6.3 pts |
| Vacant units | 14% | 9% | +5.0 pts |
52% of Montgomery County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Household income in Montgomery County
Montgomery County households have a median income of $72,715 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 58th of 133 in Virginia.
| Households earning | Montgomery County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.6% | +10.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.1% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.3% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.0% | -5.7 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 36% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 23.9% of Montgomery County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Where Montgomery County works
Top Montgomery County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 36%; second, arts, lodging and food service, 13%. Compared with Virginia, the county leans toward education and health care (36% against 22%). 2.9% of Montgomery County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 6.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Montgomery County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 36.1% | +13.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.5% | +4.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.8% | -6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Other services | 4.2% | -1.1 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Montgomery County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Montgomery County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Montgomery County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 77,886 people, so roughly 21% of residents live outside any named place. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $71,163, Riner over Lafayette. Blacksburg and every other Montgomery County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | town | 45,446 | $50,182 | $1,359 | 4 mi |
| Christiansburg | town | 22,720 | $77,147 | $1,181 | 3 mi |
| Merrimac | CDP | 2,733 | $53,611 | $1,101 | 2 mi |
| Shawsville | CDP | 1,411 | n/a | $1,087 | 7 mi |
| Plum Creek | CDP | 1,068 | $41,603 | $1,169 | 7 mi |
| Riner | CDP | 1,038 | $105,759 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Belview | CDP | 990 | $55,288 | $1,289 | 7 mi |
| Elliston | CDP | 952 | $47,045 | $920 | 10 mi |
| Prices Fork | CDP | 900 | $69,063 | $1,084 | 6 mi |
| Lafayette | CDP | 628 | $34,596 | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Montgomery County compares with nearby counties
Radford city is closest, 10 miles from center to center; the sixth, Salem city, is 20 miles off. Montgomery County's $72,715 median trails 1 of the six and beats 5; the range runs $57,348 (Radford city) to $83,709 (Roanoke County).
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $72,715 | $1,240/mo | 55% |
| Radford city, VA | 10 mi | $57,348 | $1,033/mo | 42% |
| Roanoke County, VA | 15 mi | $83,709 | $1,224/mo | 76% |
| Floyd County, VA | 17 mi | $62,191 | $878/mo | 84% |
| Pulaski County, VA | 20 mi | $62,028 | $813/mo | 73% |
| Giles County, VA | 20 mi | $65,691 | $789/mo | 79% |
| Salem city, VA | 20 mi | $66,725 | $1,133/mo | 63% |
$6,060 a month: the Montgomery County median budget
DTI math using Montgomery County medians ($72,715 income, $1,240 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,060 before taxes
- Median rent: $1,240, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,184 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Montgomery County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
Degree holders: 49% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Montgomery County: 4.8%; Virginia: 6.9%.
| People and households | Montgomery County | Compared with Virginia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.2 | -8.8 yrs | -11.3 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 48.8% | +6.7 pts | +26.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.2% | -4.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -2.1 pts | -3.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | +0.3 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Work from home | 14.0% | -4.4 pts | +5.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 23.9% | +14.1 pts | +10.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | -1.3 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.1% |
Reading the Montgomery County data as a borrower
- 24% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Licensing and complaints for Montgomery County
Montgomery County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Montgomery County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Montgomery County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Montgomery County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Virginia borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Beyond Montgomery County
Next step up from Montgomery County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $72,715 a good income in Montgomery County?
It is the county median, so half of Montgomery County households earn more and half less; 36% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Montgomery County rent compare with Virginia?
$1,240 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 21% below.
I live in a small Montgomery County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Merrimac, Shawsville, Plum Creek and 5 more.
Can Montgomery 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Montgomery County?
Start with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.