District B-01
RANK #827 / 996 NAT · #28 / 37 VA · POP 99,373
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
Montgomery County, Virginia, stands out for its blend of academic influence and natural beauty, particularly with Blacksburg being home to Virginia Tech, a major university and employer. The county, situated in Southwest Virginia within the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers a community feel with access to outdoor recreation. Residents and visitors can explore the Huckleberry Trail, a 14-mile paved path connecting Blacksburg and Christiansburg, or venture into the Jefferson National Forest for hiking and mountain biking. Commute options include local bus services in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, and a Smart Way Bus connecting to Roanoke.
Life in Montgomery County is shaped by its university presence, attracting young professionals and contributing to a dynamic atmosphere. The public school system is highly rated, with numerous elementary, middle, and high schools serving the area. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture, has evolved to become a hub for technology, research, and advanced manufacturing, driven by institutions like Virginia Tech and its Corporate Research Center. Recent economic developments show continued investment in various sectors, including data centers, reflecting a broader shift towards technology-driven industries.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.2x — home prices are high 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: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Montgomery Data Center Expansion
Meta
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Center Campus
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) Boost - Swann Compressor Station
Mountain Valley Pipeline
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
ESS Technologies, Inc. Expansion
ESS Technologies, Inc.
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Montgomery County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #827 of 996 counties. median household income of $65,270 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Montgomery County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $269,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,161/month on average.
Population and employment in Montgomery County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +1.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 6.62% of Montgomery County'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.