Galax County Demographics

A map of Galax County's Population by Race

Galax County, Virginia has an estimated population of 6,726, a less than 1% change from the 6,720 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.8% White, 14.1% Hispanic, 4.9% Black, 3.3% Multiracial, 0.6% Native American/Other, and 0.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Galax County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Galax has become less 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 Galax County, that probability was 42.3% in 2020 and 38.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Galax County is ranked the 122nd most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Galax County was ranked the 123rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Galax County's White Population

5,165 residents of Galax County, or 76.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Galax County is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Galax County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's White population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. White residents' share of Galax County's population has increased from 74.0% to 76.8%.

Galax County is less White than neighboring Carroll County (93.2% White), Alleghany County (83.9% White), Wythe County (92.9% White), Grayson County (87.2% White), and Surry County (81.1% White).

Galax County's Black Population

331 residents of Galax County, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Galax County is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Galax County ranks 97th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's Black population has declined by an estimated 6.5%. Black residents' share of Galax County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Galax County is more Black than neighboring Carroll County (0.2% Black), Alleghany County (1.6% Black), Wythe County (2.2% Black), and Surry County (3.6% Black). Galax County is less Black than neighboring Grayson County (5.5% Black).

Galax County's Asian Population

19 residents of Galax County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Galax County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Galax County ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 63.5%. Asian residents' share of Galax County's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.3%.

Galax County is less Asian than neighboring Alleghany County (0.5% Asian), Wythe County (0.8% Asian), Grayson County (1% Asian), and Surry County (0.7% Asian).

Galax County's Hispanic Population

950 residents of Galax County, or 14.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Galax County is slightly higher than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Galax County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 10.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Galax County's population has decreased from 15.8% to 14.1%.

Galax County is more Hispanic than neighboring Carroll County (4.1% Hispanic), Alleghany County (11.4% Hispanic), Wythe County (1.6% Hispanic), Grayson County (4.2% Hispanic), and Surry County (12.5% Hispanic).

Galax County's Native American/Other Population

37 residents of Galax County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Galax County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Galax County ranks 113th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 32.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Galax County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Galax County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Carroll County (0.2% Native American/Other), Alleghany County (0.1% Native American/Other), Grayson County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Surry County (0.4% Native American/Other).

Galax County's Multiracial Population

224 residents of Galax County, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Galax County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Galax County ranks 77th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Galax County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 10.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Galax County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.3%.

Galax County is more Multiracial than neighboring Carroll County (2.1% Multiracial), Alleghany County (2.6% Multiracial), Wythe County (1.9% Multiracial), Grayson County (1.7% Multiracial), and Surry County (1.8% 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.