Big Island, Virginia

Submit your own pictures of this place and show them to the world

  • OSM Map
  • Google Map
  • MSN Map
Population in 2010: 303.
Males: 160  (53.0%)
Females: 143  (47.0%)
Median resident age:

55.8 years
Virginia median age:

39.0 years

Zip codes: 24526.

Estimated median household income in 2022: $71,751
Big Island:

$71,751
VA:

$85,873

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $41,903

Big Island CDP income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $291,500
Big Island:

$291,500
VA:

$365,700

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $223,751; detached houses: $228,867
March 2022 cost of living index in Big Island: 83.8 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 0.0%

Compare current foreclosures in Big Island, VA:

Check out more offers in Big Island, VA.
Powered by Foreclosure.com
Settings
X
Data:
Loading data...
Based on 2000-2022 data
Loading data...

123
Hide US histogram



According to our research of Virginia and other state lists, there were 6 registered sex offenders living in Big Island, Virginia as of May 17, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Big Island is 42 to 1.


Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.

Ancestries: American (27.2%), Brazilian (26.1%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 720 feet

24 residents are foreign born (13.1% Latin America).

This place:

13.1%
Virginia:

12.6%

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Lynchburg, VA (13.8 miles , pop. 65,269).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Greensboro, NC (103.7 miles , pop. 223,891).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Philadelphia, PA (284.1 miles , pop. 1,517,550).

Nearest cities:

Glasgow, VA (2.9 miles ),
Forest, VA (3.5 miles ),
Buena Vista, VA (3.7 miles ),
Lynchburg, VA (3.7 miles ),
Madison Heights, VA (3.9 miles ),
Timberlake, VA (3.9 miles ),
Bedford, VA (4.1 miles ),
Amherst, VA (4.2 miles )

Latitude: 37.53 N, Longitude: 79.36 W

Area code: 434

Distribution of median household income in Big Island, VA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Big Island, VA in 2022
Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

2.7%
Virginia:

2.7%
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI Ozone
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 44.5. This is significantly better than average.

City:

44.5
U.S.:

72.6
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2022 was 24.3. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 10.6 miles away from the city center.

City:

24.3
U.S.:

33.3

Tornado activity:

Big Island-area historical tornado activity is below Virginia state average. It is 65% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/16/1966, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 32.4 miles away from the Big Island place center caused between $500 and $5000 in damages.

On 7/15/1996, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 16.4 miles away from the place center caused $140,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Big Island-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Virginia state average. It is 39% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 82.1 miles away from the city center
On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi) earthquake occurred 120.5 miles away from Big Island center
On 12/9/2003 at 20:59:18, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 ML, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 71.0 miles away from the city center
On 12/9/2003 at 20:59:14, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 80.0 miles away from Big Island center
On 8/25/2011 at 05:07:52, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 ML, Depth: 4.2 mi) earthquake occurred 81.4 miles away from Big Island center
On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK) earthquake occurred 254.5 miles away from Big Island center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Bedford County (20) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 16
Emergencies Declared: 4

Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 9, Floods: 6, Winter Storms: 4, Hurricanes: 3, Droughts: 2, Ice Storms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tornado: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Big Island:

  • WESTMINSTER-CANTERBURY -LYNCHB (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • VA BAP HOSP DIV CEN (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • FIRST DOMINION HM HLTH CARE (Home Health Center, about 12 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • GENERATION SOLUTIONS OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY (Home Health Center, about 13 miles away; FORT HILL, VA)
  • UVA LYNCHBURG DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 13 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • AVANTE AT LYNCHBURG (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • SEVEN HILLS HEALTH CARE CTR (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; LYNCHBURG, VA)

Amtrak station near Big Island:

  • 15 miles: LYNCHBURG (825 KEMPER ST.) . Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Big Island:

  • Lynchburg College (about 14 miles; Lynchburg, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,456)
  • Central Virginia Community College (about 16 miles; Lynchburg, VA; FT enrollment: 2,759)
  • Liberty University (about 17 miles; Lynchburg, VA; FT enrollment: 61,625)
  • Virginia Western Community College (about 40 miles; Roanoke, VA; FT enrollment: 4,762)
  • American National University (about 40 miles; Salem, VA; FT enrollment: 2,297)
  • Roanoke College (about 42 miles; Salem, VA; FT enrollment: 2,316)
  • Longwood University (about 56 miles; Farmville, VA; FT enrollment: 4,565)

Public elementary/middle school in Big Island:

  • BIG ISLAND ELEM (Students: 186, Location: 1114 SCHOOLDAYS RD, Grades: PK-6)
See full list of schools located in Big Island

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear place borders

Notable locations in Big Island: Big Island Life Saving Squad 2 (A), Big Island Volunteer Fire Department Company 2 (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Creek: Hunting Creek (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Bedford County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential
Average household size:
This place:

2.3 people
Virginia:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This place:

71.5%
Whole state:

67.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This place:

4.6%
Whole state:

5.7%


No gay or lesbian households reported

For population 15 years and over in Big Island:

Marital status in Big Island, VA
  • Never married: 27.2%
  • Now married: 35.0%
  • Separated: 8.7%
  • Widowed: 0.0%
  • Divorced: 29.1%

For population 25 years and over in Big Island:

  • High school or higher: 84.9%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 0.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.0%
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

4.2
Virginia average:

12.1

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Big Island, VA (based on Bedford County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Evangelical Protestant20,82264
Mainline Protestant5,05240
Catholic2,1192
Other13-
None40,670-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 7
Bedford County:

1.05 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.03 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Bedford County:

0.15 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:

0.17 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 7
Bedford County:

1.05 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:

1.43 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 18
Bedford County:

2.70 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:

4.03 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 28
This county:

4.21 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:

7.65 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Bedford County:

8.6%
State:

9.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Bedford County:

27.1%
Virginia:

26.7%

Strongest AM radio stations in Big Island:

  • WLLL (930 AM; 10 kW; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: HUBBARD'S ADVERTISING AGENCY, INC.)
  • WLVA (590 AM; 5 kW; LYNCHBURG, VA)
  • WKPA (1170 AM; 5 kW; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: SEVEN HILLS MEDIA, INC.)
  • WTRU (830 AM; 50 kW; KERNERSVILLE, NC; Owner: TRUTH BROADCASTING CORPORATION)
  • WKBA (1550 AM; daytime; 10 kW; VINTON, VA; Owner: TINKER CREEK BROADCASTERS, INC.)
  • WFTK (1030 AM; daytime; 50 kW; WAKE FOREST, NC; Owner: POSITIVE RADIO GROUP, INC.)
  • WVBE (610 AM; 5 kW; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: MEL WHEELER, INC.)
  • WPTF (680 AM; 50 kW; RALEIGH, NC; Owner: FIRST STATE COMMUNICATIONS)
  • WAMV (1420 AM; 2 kW; AMHERST, VA; Owner: COMMUNITY FIRST BROADCASTERS, INC.)
  • WOWZ (1280 AM; 5 kW; APPOMATTOX, VA; Owner: ONECOM, INC.)
  • WBRG (1050 AM; 1 kW; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: TRI-COUNTY BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WSVA (550 AM; 10 kW; HARRISONBURG, VA; Owner: M. BELMONT VERSTANDIG, INC.)
  • WFNR (710 AM; daytime; 10 kW; BLACKSBURG, VA; Owner: PERCEPTION MEDIA GROUP, INC.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Big Island:

  • WYYD (107.9 FM; AMHERST, VA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • WNRS-FM (89.9 FM; SWEET BRIAR, VA; Owner: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE)
  • WZZU (97.9 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: TRAVIS MEDIA L.L.C.)
  • WREL-FM (96.7 FM; BUENA VISTA, VA; Owner: EQUUS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WRXT (90.3 FM; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE RADIO, INC.)
  • WBWR (106.9 FM; BEDFORD, VA; Owner: BEDFORD RADIO PARTNERS, LLC)
  • WXCF-FM (103.9 FM; CLIFTON FORGE, VA; Owner: IMPACT BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WRVL (88.3 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.)
  • W229AE (93.7 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)
  • WVBE-FM (100.1 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: MEL WHEELER, INC.)
  • WTON-FM (94.3 FM; STAUNTON, VA; Owner: HIGH IMPACT COMMUNICATIONS INC)
  • W280DB (103.9 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE RADIO, INC.)
  • WWMC (90.9 FM; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.)
  • WROV-FM (96.3 FM; MARTINSVILLE, VA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • W265AS (100.9 FM; CONCORD, VA; Owner: PAUL H. PASSINK)
  • WXLK (92.3 FM; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: MEL WHEELER, INC.)
  • WSLC-FM (94.9 FM; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: MEL WHEELER, INC.)
  • WSLQ (99.1 FM; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: MEL WHEELER, INC.)
  • WVTF (89.1 FM; ROANOKE, VA; Owner: VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION INC)
  • WZZI (101.5 FM; VINTON, VA; Owner: TRAVIS MEDIA, L.L.C.)

TV broadcast stations around Big Island:

  • WSET-TV (Channel 13; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: WSET INCORPORATED)
  • WJPR (Channel 21; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: GRANT BROADCASTING SYSTEMS II, INC.)
  • W40BM (Channel 40; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)
  • WTLU-CA (Channel 19; LYNCHBURG, VA; Owner: LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, INC.)
  • W80AN (Channel 80; AMHERST, VA; Owner: BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC.)

Big Island fatal accident list:

Feb 17, 2017 08:30 PM, Us-501, Lat: 37.548897, Lon: -79.367831, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 3, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Mar 1, 2004 04:25 PM, Sr-122, Rt-600, Lat: 37.536279, Lon: -79.367245, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Jan 5, 2001 01:45 AM, Sr-122, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Apr 30, 2000 03:50 AM, Sr-122, Lat: 37.536279, Lon: -79.367245, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1
Dec 26, 1982 02:25 PM, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 1
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 41Number of bridges
  • 505ft / 154mTotal length
  • $25,357,000Total costs
  • 105,272Total average daily traffic
  • 8,228Total average daily truck traffic
New bridges in Big Island, VA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 11910-1919
  • 11920-1929
  • 81930-1939
  • 11940-1949
  • 101950-1959
  • 71960-1969
  • 51970-1979
  • 21980-1989
  • 21990-1999
  • 32000-2009
  • 12010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Big Island, VA

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

12 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Big Island)

FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers:

3 (See the full list of FCC Registered Commercial Land Mobile Towers in Big Island, VA)

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers:

5 (See the full list of FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers)

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

3
  • APPLE ORCHAR, Apple Orchard Mountain, Bedford County (Lat: 37.517194 Lon: -79.509500), Type: Mast, Structure height: 21.3 m, Call Sign: WQLG871,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6197.24 MHz, 6034.15 MHz, 6093.45 MHz, 6775.62 MHz, Grant Date: 10/24/2019, Expiration Date: 01/19/2030, Certifier: Captain John E Furlough, Registrant: Virginia State Police, 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA 23261, Phone: (804) 674-4644, Fax: (804) 674-2602, Email:

  • BIG ISLAND, 1177 Sunset Hill Rd. (Lat: 37.533500 Lon: -79.361056), Type: Mtower, Structure height: 59.4 m, Overall height: 60.6 m, Call Sign: WRJH231,
    Assigned Frequencies: 10755.0 MHz, Grant Date: 08/28/2020, Expiration Date: 08/28/2030, Certifier: Douglas W Chambers, Registrant: Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, 1800 M Street Nw, Suite 800n, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: (202) 383-3420, Fax: (202) 783-5851, Email:

  • NO BUSINESS, Top Of No Business Mountain (Lat: 37.472194 Lon: -79.374056), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 60.5 m, Overall height: 61.3 m, Call Sign: WLO331,
    Assigned Frequencies: 944.000 MHz, Grant Date: 03/09/1989, Expiration Date: 10/01/2027, Registrant: Iheartmedia, Inc., 7136 S. Yale Avenue, Suite 501, Tulsa, OK 74136, Phone: (918) 664-4581, Fax: (918) 664-3066, Email:


FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

13 (See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Big Island)

FAA Registered Aircraft:

1
  • Aircraft: PIPER PA-22-135 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 94 mph), Engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 1533P, N1533P, N-1533P, Serial Number: 22-2398, Airworthiness Date: 06/16/1975, Certificate Issue Date: 05/13/2004
    Registrant (Individual): John S Hager, 2375 Red Hill Rd, Big Island, VA 24526

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents

    Fire incident distribution by year Based on the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 26. The highest number of fires - 60 took place in 2008, and the least - 12 in 2018. The data has a decreasing trend.
    Fire incident types in Big Island, VA When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (56.1%), and Outside Fires (32.5%).

    • Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Big Island, VA
    • 25056.1%Structure Fires
    • 14532.5%Outside Fires
    • 296.5%Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires
    • 224.9%Other
See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Big Island, VA
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Big Island, VA
  • 74.2%Wood
  • 14.5%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 11.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Big Island, VA
  • 100.0%Electricity


Big Island compared to Virginia state average:

  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage below state average.
  • Renting percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • House age significantly above state average.
  • Number of college students significantly below state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.

Big Island on our top lists:

  • #38 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest percentage of college students"
  • #6 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #18 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #50 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #72 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
There is 1 pilot and 1 other airmen in this city.
Cost of Living Calculator
Top Patent Applicants
Top Patent Applicants
  • Daniel E. Ellgass (2)
  • Daniel Ellgass (2)
  • Quentin L. Wilson (1)
  • Daniel Edward Ellgass (1)

Total of 6 patent applications in 2008-2024.