Bluefield, VA

Town in Tazewell County, VA, US

By Neilsberg Research

Last updated May 1, 2026

Key Indicators

A quick look at key numbers

Population

4,979

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

42.2

years ∙ half population younger than 42.2, half older

Diversity Index

21.3%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

3.9%

foreign-born population

96.1%Native

3.9% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Bluefield is a town within Tazewell County, Virginia, United States.

Location

Town in Tazewell County, VA, US

Co-ordinates

DEC37.235225° N, 81.274659° W

DMS37° 14′ 06.81″ N, 81° 16′ 28.77″ W

Population Density & area

524.7/sq mi (202.5/km²)

Total Area

9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²)

Land Area

9.49 sq mi (24.59 km²) · 99.95%

Water Area

0.01 sq mi (0.01 km²) · 0.05%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

50.2% male

Male 50.2%

Female 49.8%

males per 100 females

Bluefield 100.6

Tazewell County 101.6

Virginia 97.6

Nativity

3.9%

foreign-born population

96.1%Native

3.9% Foreign-born

% Foreign-born

Bluefield 3.9%

Tazewell County 1.3%

Virginia 13.1%

Age Distribution

How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

42.2

years ∙ half population younger than 42.2, half older

Bluefield

42.2

Tazewell County

Virginia

Dependency ratio

85.2

dependents per 100 working-age adults

Bluefield 85.2

Tazewell County 77.7

Virginia 62.4

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group

Median age

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Age Group
Children (Under 18)	20.8%	20%	21.7%
Working age (18-64)	54%	56.2%	61.6%
Senior (65+)	25.2%	23.8%	16.7%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio	85.2	77.7	62.4
Child dependency ratio	38.5	35.5	35.3
Old-age dependency ratio	46.8	42.2	27.1

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White

88.5%

Black

5.5%

Asian

1.6%

Hispanic

2.5%

Other

1.9%

Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

21.3%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Bluefield 21.3%

Tazewell County 13.9%

Virginia 60.6%

Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity

Percentage of Bluefield population

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Hispanic or Latino	2.5%	1.4%	11%
Mexican	0.8%	0.8%	2.4%
Puerto Rican	0.1%	0.1%	1.4%
Cuban	0.1%	0%	0.3%
Other Hispanic / Latino	1.5%	0.5%	6.9%
Not Hispanic or Latino	97.5%	98.6%	89%
One race	95.6%	96.5%	84.3%
White	88.5%	92.7%	58.4%
Black or African American	5.5%	3%	18.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native	0%	0%	0.1%
Asian	1.6%	0.6%	6.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0%	0%	0.1%
Some Other Race	0%	0.1%	0.6%
Two or more races (Multiracial)	1.9%	2.1%	4.7%

Household & Families Composition

Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

68.3% family

Family 68.3%

Non family 31.7%

% family households

Bluefield 68.3%

Tazewell County 65.6%

Virginia 64.8%

Average household size

2.29

persons per household

Bluefield

2.29

Tazewell County

2.33

Virginia

2.52

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households

Percentage of Bluefield population

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Total households	2,037	16,290	3,365,732
Average houshold size	2.29	2.33	2.52
Family households	1,392	10,687	2,181,475
Average family size	2.82	2.9	3.11
Married couple family	874	7,965	1,638,116
Other families	518	2,722	543,359
Male householder	102	682	154,457
Female householder	416	2,040	388,902
Non-family households	645	5,603	1,184,257
One-person households	607	5,079	958,467
Male householder	297	2,185	417,934
Senior (65+) living alone	134	906	127,348
Female householder	310	2,894	540,533
Senior (65+) living alone	183	1,746	258,856
Other living arrangements	38	524	225,790

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

2,197

housing units

Bluefield 2,197

Tazewell County 19,768

Virginia 3,684,756

Occupancy status

92.7% occupied

Occupied 92.7%

Vacant 7.3%

vacancy rate

Bluefield 7.3%

Tazewell County 17.6%

Virginia 8.7%

Housing Characteristics

How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

83.9%

Single family houses

83.9%

Apartments in multi-unit structures

9.7%

Mobile homes

6.5%

Boat, RV, van, etc

Median Year Built

1964

Half of houses were built before 1964, and half after.

Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier

18.8%

Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969

39.1%

Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999

33.9%

Modern ∙ 2000 or later

8.1%

Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms

Physical characteristics of housing units

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Rooms per unit
Median rooms	6.4	5.7	6
1–3 rooms	2.5%	11.2%	11.6%
4–6 rooms	50.9%	55%	46.2%
7+ rooms	46.6%	33.8%	42.3%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio	0%	1.2%	1.9%
1 bedroom	1.7%	3.1%	8.7%
2 bedrooms	32.6%	29.4%	22.3%
3 bedrooms	37.6%	49%	38.4%
4+ bedrooms	28.1%	17.2%	28.7%
At a glance
Median year built	1964	1975	1985
Total housing units	2,197	19,768	3,684,756

Occupancy Profile

Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

64.2% owners

Renter-occupied 35.8%

Owner-occupied 64.2%

homeownership rate

Bluefield 64.2%

Tazewell County 74.4%

Virginia 67.3%

Average household size

2.34

Owner-occupied

2.18

Renter-occupied

owner-occupied average size

Bluefield 2.34

Tazewell County 2.36

Virginia 2.62

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Total occupied units	2,037	16,290	3,365,732
Year moved in
2020 or later	30.3%	16.9%	25.7%
2010 to 2019	35.8%	33.4%	38.5%
2000 to 2009	9.6%	17.1%	16.6%
1999 or earlier	24.4%	32.7%	19.1%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer	100%	99.2%	97.9%
1.01 to 1.50	0%	0.7%	1.4%
1.51 or more	0%	0.1%	0.7%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles	11.6%	6.6%	6.1%
1 vehicle	30.6%	29.7%	31.1%
2 vehicles	40.3%	38.6%	37.3%
3 or more vehicles	17.5%	25.2%	25.5%
House heating fuel used
Gas	39.9%	12.8%	36.6%
Electricity	57.7%	80.3%	57.5%
Solar	0%	0%	0.2%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc	1.8%	3.4%	3.2%
All other fuels	0.6%	2.9%	1.9%
No fuel used	0%	0.5%	0.6%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing	0%	0.5%	0.3%
Lacking complete kitchen	0%	0.2%	0.6%
No telephone service available	0%	2%	0.8%

Housing Value

What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$152,500

owner-occupied units

Median value(USD)

Bluefield

$152,500

Tazewell County

$118,300

Virginia

$383,700

Housing Cost Burden

17.6%

of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened

% Cost-Burdened Households

Owners with a mortgage

17.6%

Owners without a mortgage

9.6%

Renters

52.6%

Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Property value
Median Value	$152,500	$118,300	$383,700
Under $100,000	37%	40.4%	7.6%
$100,000 - $200,000	27.1%	33.2%	11.5%
$200,000 - $300,000	19.5%	15.7%	17.2%
$300,000 - $500,000	12.5%	7.7%	29.6%
$500,000 - $1,000,000	4%	2.3%	26.8%
$1,000,000 and more	0%	0.7%	7.2%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage	46.4%	35.4%	66.9%
Without a mortgage	53.6%	64.6%	33.1%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage	$1,230	$1,159	$2,127
Without a mortgage	$432	$395	$589
Gross rent
Median rent	$870	$795	$1,579

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

29.8%

of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

Bluefield 29.8%

Tazewell County 16.6%

Virginia 42.2%

Adults without a high school diploma

11.8%

of adults (25+) without a high school diploma

Bluefield 11.8%

Tazewell County 12.7%

Virginia 8.4%

School Enrollment

Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

1,192

population (age 3+) enrolled in school

Nursery / Preschool

4.2%

K–12

59.4%

College / Undergraduate

29.5%

Graduate / Professional

6.9%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

54.9%

of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school

Bluefield

54.9%

Tazewell County

30.1%

Virginia

42.7%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split

Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Total enrolled (age 3+)	1,192	7,378	2,095,439
Nursery / preschool	4.2%	2.5%	5.3%
K–12	59.4%	74%	65.9%
Kindergarten	6.1%	6.8%	5%
Elementary: Grades 1–4	19%	22.9%	19.4%
Elementary: Grades 5–8	17.7%	18.4%	20.3%
High School: Grades 9–12	16.5%	25.9%	21.2%
College or graduate school	36.4%	23.5%	28.8%
College, undergraduate	29.5%	18.2%	21.9%
Graduate, professional school	6.9%	5.3%	6.9%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds	54.9%	30.1%	42.7%
School type
Public school	74.3%	85.1%	81%
Private school	25.7%	14.9%	19%

Education Attainment by Level & Gender

What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

3,318

population 25 years and over

Total adults (25+)

Less than 9th grade

2.4%

9th-12th, no diploma

9.4%

HS graduate

28.5%

Some college no degree

16.2%

Associates degree

13.6%

Bachelors degree

18.3%

Graduate or professional degree

11.6%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female

Adults (25+) · Share within each education level

% male · % female

Less than 9th grade

35.8% · 64.2%

9th-12th, no diploma

54% · 46%

HS graduate

59.2% · 40.8%

Some college no degree

46.8% · 53.2%

Associates degree

22% · 78%

Bachelors degree

52.8% · 47.2%

Graduate or professional degree

49.2% · 50.8%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)

Highest credential completed · adults 25+

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Population (25+)	3,318	28,710	6,007,678
Less than 9th grade	2.4%	5%	3.6%
9th–12th, no diploma	9.4%	7.7%	4.8%
High school diploma or GED	28.5%	39%	23.9%
Some college, no degree	16.2%	21.1%	17.7%
Associate's degree	13.6%	10.7%	7.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	29.8%	16.6%	42.2%
Bachelor's degree	18.3%	10.8%	23.7%
Graduate or professional	11.6%	5.7%	18.5%
High School or higher	88.1%	87.3%	91.6%

Earnings by education level

percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$46,732

Median earnings for adults 25+, by level

Less than HS graduate

$—

HS graduate

$43,625

Some college or associates

$40,089

Bachelors degree

$63,730

Graduate or professional degree

$63,467

Poverty Rate

6.5%

for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher

Less than HS graduate

17.6%

HS graduate

22.4%

Some college or associates

4.3%

Bachelors degree or higher

6.5%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)

Adults 25+

	Bluefield	Tazewell County	Virginia
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings	$46,732	$42,725	$59,471
Less than high school graduate	$—	$32,337	$33,905
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	$43,625	$38,191	$41,243
Some college or associate's degree	$40,089	$39,111	$49,185
Bachelor's degree	$63,730	$57,581	$76,425
Graduate or professional degree	$63,467	$81,389	$102,924
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate	17.6%	23%	21.8%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	22.4%	18.4%	12.6%
Some college or associate's degree	4.3%	12.9%	8.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher	6.5%	5.4%	3.4%

Insights for Bluefield, by topic

Income By year By race By age By gender

Population By year By race By age By gender

About Neilsberg Research

Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.

Cite this page

Citation style

Url to be used as reference

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal or tax advice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified professional such as a lawyer or accountant before making a decision. Many of the products and services featured here are from our affiliate partners. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Read advertiser disclosure.