RANK #894 / 996 NAT · #32 / 37 VA · POP 79,166
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
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)
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Lynchburg city scores just 9/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #894 of 996 counties. Job growth at -1.7% and median household income of $56,243 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Lynchburg city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $196,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $972/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lynchburg city's job market is contracting (-1.7% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.2% change). Home values are -0.4% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
In significant numbers — 8.77% of Lynchburg city's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.