1st Advantage MortgageThe median Russell County household earns $50,012, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. For a Russell County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Virginia license.
On this page
- Russell County, VA: the basics
- What stands out in Russell County
- What Russell County households earn
- Russell County housing compared with Virginia
- Jobs and commutes in Russell County
- Places inside Russell County
- The counties around Russell County
- Borrowing situations common in Russell County
- Budget math at the Russell County median
- Russell County households compared
- Four steps for Russell County borrowers
- Virginia rules that apply in Russell County
- More guides for Russell County
- Frequently asked questions
Russell County, VA: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Russell County's population at 25,538; only 69 of Virginia's 133 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 474 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 54 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Russell County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (4 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Lebanon, with about 3,116 residents, or 12% of the county.
What stands out in Russell County
Ranked against the other 132 county-level areas in Virginia, these are the Russell County figures furthest from the middle.
- Russell County ranks 2nd lowest of 133 Virginia counties for median gross rent: $653/mo, against $1,579/mo statewide. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 13% in Russell County. Only 4 of 133 Virginia counties are lower. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Few Virginia counties match Russell County on the share of workers who work from home: 4.9% here, 18.3% for the state, ranking 7th lowest of 133. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
- Few Virginia counties match Russell County on median home value: $120,600 here, $383,700 for the state, ranking 10th lowest of 133. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
What Russell County households earn
Median household income in Russell County: $50,012 (46% below Virginia, $93,170). In the state ranking that is 121st of 133.
| Households earning | Russell County | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.0% | +18.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +7.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.1% | -12.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -13.4 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 21% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 16.7% of Russell County residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. None of these numbers decides a Russell County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Russell County housing compared with Virginia
A typical Russell County rental runs $653 a month including utilities, which is 59% below Virginia. 37% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Home values center on $120,600, or 2.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 76% of homes.
| Cost | Russell County | Virginia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 21.4% | 4.3% | +17.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 49% | -11.9 pts |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | +9.0 pts |
| Median home value | $120,600 | $383,700 | 69% lower |
| Median gross rent | $653/mo | $1,579/mo | 59% lower |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 25% | -5.7 pts |
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).
Jobs and commutes in Russell County
Top Russell County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 24%; second, retail trade, 14%. Russell County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 7% versus 1% in Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. 554 Russell County households, 5.2%, have no vehicle.
| Sector | Russell County | Compared with Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +4.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.0% | -8.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +2.9 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Russell County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Places inside Russell County
7,584 of Russell County's 25,538 residents live in its 6 Census places (30%); the 6 largest are listed. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $27,592, Castlewood over St. Paul. Median rent ranges from $460 in St. Paul to $1,328 in Dante. No Russell County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | town | 3,116 | $53,050 | $621 | 3 mi |
| Castlewood | CDP | 1,357 | $60,592 | $684 | 12 mi |
| Honaker | town | 1,188 | $44,183 | $548 | 9 mi |
| St. Paul | town | 963 | $33,000 | $460 | 12 mi |
| Dante | CDP | 591 | $33,696 | $1,328 | 11 mi |
| Cleveland | town | 369 | $28,704 | $692 | 3 mi |
The counties around Russell County
Washington County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Norton city, is 29 miles off. Russell County's $50,012 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $41,495 (Norton city) to $64,552 (Washington County).
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell County | - | $50,012 | $653/mo | 76% |
| Washington County, VA | 15 mi | $64,552 | $854/mo | 76% |
| Dickenson County, VA | 20 mi | $47,254 | $738/mo | 76% |
| Bristol city, VA | 22 mi | $50,404 | $801/mo | 64% |
| Buchanan County, VA | 23 mi | $42,886 | $743/mo | 83% |
| Wise County, VA | 29 mi | $52,943 | $790/mo | 74% |
| Norton city, VA | 29 mi | $41,495 | $692/mo | 50% |
Borrowing situations common in Russell County
- Car trouble. For Russell County drivers (24% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 47, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Budget math at the Russell County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Russell County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,168 before taxes
- 16% goes to median rent ($653)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $847 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,139 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
A household below the $50,012 median has less room than this, often none.
Russell County households compared
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 4.7% of Russell County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Russell County | +/- Virginia | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | +7.7 yrs | +5.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.1% | -29.1 pts | -9.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | +8.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | -2.2 pts | -3.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | -0.9 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Work from home | 4.9% | -13.4 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | +6.8 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | -0.7 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Commute length | Russell County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.6% |
| 60+ min | 13.4% |
Four steps for Russell County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Russell County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Virginia.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Virginia rules that apply in Russell County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Russell County borrowers answers to the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Russell County residents can file with the CFPB. State-level detail for Russell County borrowers is in the Virginia guide.
More guides for Russell County
For statewide rules and data, see the Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Russell County rank on income in Virginia?
121st of 133, with a median of $50,012. The state median is $93,170.
What is the median rent in Russell County, VA?
$653 a month, utilities included, or $7,836 a year.
Which towns does the Russell County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Lebanon, Castlewood, Honaker, St. Paul, Dante.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Russell County or elsewhere in Virginia, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Russell County residents?
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Virginia; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.