The Town FilesClifton Forge, Virginia
Town in Alleghany County · population 3,555 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $109,500
- Household income
- $40,000
- Jan low / Jul high
- 23° / 84°
- Snow a year
- 10 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 1
- Median age
- 45.2
Clifton Forge is a town of 3,555 people in Alleghany County, Virginia. The median home is worth $109,500, below the typical Virginia town ($298,050). It ranks hipper than 97% of Virginia towns, easier by car than 91% of Virginia towns, more walkable than 90% of Virginia towns.
How Clifton Forge ranks
Percentile among Virginia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Virginia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Clifton Forge is worth $109,500, below the typical Virginia town ($298,050). Homes cost about 2.7 times the median household income of $40,000, which is more affordable than 87% of Virginia towns. Median rent is $592 a month. 63.5% of households own their home.
| Housing | Clifton Forge | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $109,500 | $298,050 |
| Median rent | $592 | $1,254 |
| Median household income | $40,000 | $78,595 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.7× | 3.8× |
| Homeownership | 63.5% | 69.2% |
| Median year built | 1938 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.5% | — |
Who lives in Clifton Forge
| People | Clifton Forge | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2 | 39.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 25.0% | 17.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.2% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.0% | 31.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 15.1% | 8.8% |
| Veterans | 6.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.5% | — |
| Work from home | 5.7% | 12.8% |
| Average commute | 22.8 min | 26.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 78.5% | 91.8% |
Weather in Clifton Forge
July highs average 84.0°F and January lows 22.5°F. About 39.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 10.1 inches of snow (typical Virginia town: 13.4 in). Expect about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 120 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Clifton Forge since 1950, compared with 11 for the typical Virginia town. The strongest, an EF0, struck on April 28, 2011 about 6.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on April 28, 2011.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 26 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on July 28, 2005.
Severe weather in Alleghany County since 1996
Alleghany County has been included in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3631: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2, 2020 | Biological | DR-4512: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3448: Covid-19 |
| September 11, 2018 | Hurricane | EM-3403: Hurricane Florence |
| October 29, 2012 | Hurricane | EM-3359: Hurricane Sandy |
Jobs and pay in Alleghany County
Alleghany County had 3,293 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $45,643 a year. Unemployment was 3.5% in 2023; in Clifton Forge itself the ACS puts it at 2%.
Public schools in Clifton Forge
2 public schools with 188 students, about 11.1 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Elementary | PK-5 | 188 | 11.1 |
| Jackson River Governor's School | Other | — | — |
Towns near Clifton Forge
- Covington, VA9.2 mi · 5,737 people · home $83,500
- Lexington, VA21.0 mi · 7,320 people · home $275,200
- Buena Vista, VA26.3 mi · 6,641 people · home $156,200
- Daleville, VA28.7 mi · 3,070 people · home $370,100
Clifton Forge questions
Is Clifton Forge, Virginia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Clifton Forge scores better for retirees than 54% of Virginia towns and quieter than 46%. 25.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 45.2).
How much does a house cost in Clifton Forge?
The median owner-occupied home in Clifton Forge is valued at $109,500 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $40,000, so homes cost about 2.7 times income. Median rent is $592 a month.
What is the weather like in Clifton Forge?
July highs average 84.0°F and January lows 22.5°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 39.5 inches of precipitation a year and 10.1 inches of snow.
Does Clifton Forge get tornadoes?
1 tornado has passed within 10 miles of Clifton Forge since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF0 on April 28, 2011. The typical Virginia town has had 11.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)