Buchanan County Demographics

A map of Buchanan County's Population by Race

Buchanan County, Virginia has an estimated population of 19,415, a decrease from the 20,355 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.2% White, 3.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic, 1.0% Multiracial, 0.8% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buchanan County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buchanan has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Buchanan County, that probability was 10.8% in 2020 and 13.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buchanan County is ranked the 81st most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Buchanan County was ranked the 81st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Buchanan County's White Population

18,095 residents of Buchanan County, or 93.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buchanan County is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Buchanan County ranks 6th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's White population has declined by an estimated 5.8%. White residents' share of Buchanan County's population has decreased from 94.4% to 93.2%.

Buchanan County is more White than neighboring McDowell County (86.5% White). Buchanan County is less White than neighboring Russell County (96.6% White), Dickenson County (97.4% White), Pike County (93.9% White), and Mingo County (95% White).

Buchanan County's Black Population

739 residents of Buchanan County, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buchanan County is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Buchanan County ranks 112th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's Black population has grown by an estimated 20.6%. Black residents' share of Buchanan County's population has increased from 3.0% to 3.8%.

Buchanan County is more Black than neighboring Russell County (1.1% Black), Dickenson County (1% Black), Pike County (0.6% Black), and Mingo County (2% Black). Buchanan County is less Black than neighboring McDowell County (8.8% Black).

Buchanan County's Asian Population

152 residents of Buchanan County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buchanan County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Buchanan County ranks 122nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 210.2%. Asian residents' share of Buchanan County's population has increased from 0.2% to 0.8%.

Buchanan County is more Asian than neighboring Russell County (0.1% Asian), Dickenson County (0.1% Asian), McDowell County (0.1% Asian), Pike County (0.6% Asian), and Mingo County (0% Asian).

Buchanan County's Hispanic Population

213 residents of Buchanan County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buchanan County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Buchanan County ranks 131st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 20.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Buchanan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Buchanan County is more Hispanic than neighboring Russell County (0.7% Hispanic), Dickenson County (0.7% Hispanic), and Mingo County (0.8% Hispanic). Buchanan County is less Hispanic than neighboring McDowell County (2.1% Hispanic), and Pike County (1.3% Hispanic).

Buchanan County's Native American/Other Population

19 residents of Buchanan County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buchanan County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Buchanan County ranks 132nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buchanan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Buchanan County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Russell County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Dickenson County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Buchanan County's Multiracial Population

197 residents of Buchanan County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buchanan County is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Buchanan County ranks 133rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buchanan County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 29.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Buchanan County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Buchanan County is more Multiracial than neighboring Dickenson County (0.5% Multiracial). Buchanan County is less Multiracial than neighboring McDowell County (2.5% Multiracial), Pike County (3.6% Multiracial), and Mingo County (2.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.