RANK #565 / 996 · POP 79,166 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Lynchburg, Virginia, known as the "City of Seven Hills," is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the James River. This location offers scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and biking on trails like the Blackwater Creek Trail and access to the James River for kayaking and fishing. The city is approximately an hour from Roanoke and 1.5 hours from Charlottesville, with commute times across the city averaging around 17.5 minutes. Its downtown area is walkable, featuring historic districts and a revitalized riverfront.
Life in Lynchburg is characterized by a blend of historic charm and modern conveniences, appealing to families, young professionals, and retirees. The Lynchburg City Public Schools system serves nearly 8,000 students and offers diverse programs. The local economy is driven by sectors such as nuclear technology, advanced energy, and manufacturing, with ongoing investments in these areas. The city also benefits from a lower cost of living compared to many other Virginia cities.
Above national median (4.7x)
No data
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
James Energy Center & Quarry Energy Center (Battery Energy Storage Systems)
East Point Energy
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Plant
Applied Materials Inc.
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lynchburg city has a Boom Town Index score of 43/100, ranking #565 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.7% and a median household income of $56,243, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Lynchburg city is $196,000 with median rent at $972/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.287, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.7%. Home values changed -0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 8.77% of Lynchburg city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.