
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Blackstone is a small-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 3,429 residents. Individuals of White (42%) and Black or African American (57%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. An important consideration when living in Blackstone is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 34 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Blackstone could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Virginia if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Blackstone, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, health & safety, education, employment and more.
Blackstone has a livability score of 71 out of 100 and is ranked #208 in Virginia and #6,538 in the USA. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Blackstone ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Blackstone does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The Blackstone unemployment rate of 0.9% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Blackstone have an average test score of 72%, which is well above the US average.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Blackstone apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Blackstone is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Blackstone come in at $275,628, which is 36.6% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Blackstone, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 15.6% lower than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Blackstone | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 34min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.0% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 16.1% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.8% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.4% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.8% | 4.7% | 4.6% |