1st Advantage MortgageThe median Pulaski County household earns $62,028, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Pulaski County, VA: the basics
- Renting and owning in Pulaski County
- What Pulaski County households earn
- How Pulaski County residents earn a living
- The communities that make up Pulaski County
- Pulaski County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Pulaski County
- Before borrowing in Pulaski County
- Pulaski County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Steps before you apply in Pulaski County
- Checking a lender's license in Virginia
- More guides for Pulaski County
- Frequently asked questions
Pulaski County, VA: the basics
With an estimated 33,687 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pulaski County ranks 51st of 133 in Virginia for population. Packed into 320 square miles, that is close to 105 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 10 Census places inside Pulaski County, Pulaski leads by population with about 8,893; 2 of the 10 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Pulaski County
A typical Pulaski County rental runs $813 a month including utilities, which is 49% below Virginia. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Home values center on $191,700, or 3.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. The median home was built in 1975, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Pulaski County | Virginia figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $813/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $191,700 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.5% | 4.3% | n/a |
Because most Pulaski County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
What Pulaski County households earn
Pulaski County households have a median income of $62,028 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 88th of 133 in Virginia.
| Household income | Pulaski County | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.6% | +9.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +9.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -6.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -11.9 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.4% of Pulaski 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.
How Pulaski County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 23%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 7% for Virginia. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.2% in Pulaski County. About 84% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.6% of the total (6.1% statewide).
| Top industries | Pulaski County share | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.6% | +15.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +2.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -10.1 pts |
| Public administration | 6.2% | -2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.9% | -2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Pulaski County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Pulaski County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Pulaski County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 15,410 residents, leaving about 54% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Fairlawn has the highest median household income on the list ($66,918) and Pulaski the lowest ($49,491), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 10 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski | town | 8,893 | $49,491 | $736 | 3 mi |
| Dublin | town | 2,671 | $62,426 | $756 | 3 mi |
| Fairlawn | CDP | 2,488 | $66,918 | $1,621 | 11 mi |
| Parrott | CDP | 401 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Draper | CDP | 348 | $58,963 | n/a | 4 mi |
| New River | CDP | 268 | $41,628 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Belspring | CDP | 152 | $61,053 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Snowville | CDP | 77 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Hiwassee | CDP | 72 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Allisonia | CDP | 40 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Pulaski County next to its neighbors
Radford city is closest, 9 miles from center to center; the sixth, Bland County, is 23 miles off. Income ranges from $54,484 in Carroll County to $72,715 in Montgomery County; 3 of these neighbors top Pulaski County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | - | $62,028 | $813/mo | 73% |
| Radford city, VA | 9 mi | $57,348 | $1,033/mo | 42% |
| Giles County, VA | 18 mi | $65,691 | $789/mo | 79% |
| Montgomery County, VA | 20 mi | $72,715 | $1,240/mo | 55% |
| Floyd County, VA | 22 mi | $62,191 | $878/mo | 84% |
| Carroll County, VA | 23 mi | $54,484 | $738/mo | 77% |
| Bland County, VA | 23 mi | $61,216 | $644/mo | 86% |
Room for a loan payment in Pulaski County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pulaski County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,169 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $813, takes 16% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,255 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Pulaski County's.
Before borrowing in Pulaski County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pulaski County borrowers.
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 46.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Pulaski County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Pulaski County | All of Virginia | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.8% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Steps before you apply in Pulaski County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Pulaski County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Virginia license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Virginia
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Pulaski County borrowers answers to the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Virginia guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Pulaski County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Pulaski County household make?
About $62,028 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 33% below the Virginia median.
How does Pulaski County rent compare with Virginia?
$813 locally versus $1,579 for the state, 49% below.
Should Pulaski County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Pulaski County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Pulaski County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Pulaski, Dublin, Fairlawn, Parrott, Draper.
Can Pulaski 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.