Community Profile for Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
ADVANTAGES - DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN COMMUNITY | CENSUS ANALYSIS | CLIMATE & TOPOGRAPHY | COUNTY SEAT | CULTURAL ACTIVITIES | HOUSING | INDUSTRIAL BASE | MISC. QUESTIONS | RECREATION | RELIGION | SCHOOLS | SHOPPING & RESTAURANTS
Community Profile Description

Designated as a Metropolitan Statistical Area and strategically located along Virginia''s Technology Corridor, Montgomery County and the New River Valley are home to the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, and the City of Radford. With a cost of living at 94% of the national average, each area offers city amenities with world class dining, diverse shopping and cultural activities blended with small town charm in a beautiful setting. You will find unique aquatic activities at Claytor Lake State Park or on the U.S.''s oldest river, the New River. For hiking enthusiasts, there are endless adventures on the Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The area also offers superior educational opportunities through its 45 public schools and 11 public libraries. And, the New River Valley is home to Radford University, New River Community College and Virginia Tech, which is Virginia's largest university and one of the nation''s leading research centers.
ADVANTAGES - DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN COMMUNITY Top
1.) Advantages
>> The New River Valley is rich in educational opportunities and the region's commitment to excellence in education benefits everyone; students, parents, and employers. There is a average of 12.1 students per teacher in both the Blacksburg and Christiansburg school districts. There are 30 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 9 high schools, 2 universities, and an excellent community college. All area high schools provide vocational training in addition to basic education, as well as work-focused internships. Virginia Tech is ranked as one of the best engineering colleges in the nation and offers a great quality of education.


2.) Disadvantages
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


CENSUS ANALYSIS Top
1.) City Population
>> 97000


2.) Metro Name
>> New River Valley


3.) Metro Population
>> 178237


4.) County Name
>> Montgomery


5.) County Population
>> 131000


6.) Annual Growth/Decline Rate in Community?
>> 10


7.) Demographic age and income distribution of community?
>> Median age - 30; Median income - $57, 000


8.) What % of the community is minority?
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


8.) Nearest cities of major population centers:
>> Roanoke, VA Johnson City, TN Greensboro, NC Washington, DC


CLIMATE & TOPOGRAPHY Top
1.) Climate - Opinion
>> Four seasons, with generally mild winters and warm summers. The mean annual temperature is 56.1 degrees, with 102 clear days and 40.3 inches of rain on average each year.


2.) Topography
>> Nestled among the Jefferson National Forest and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, this area offers some of the best mountain biking terrain on the east coast.


COUNTY SEAT Top
1.) County Seat
>> Christiansburg, VA


CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Top
1.) Ballet
>> yes


2.) Off-Broadway Plays
>> yes


3.) Other (Name)
>> Va Tech and Radford University offer area residents a wide array of cultural events to choose from.


4.) Symphony
>> yes


HOUSING Top
1.) Describe available housing
>> Named a "Perfect Place" by Outside magazine; Named best place in the us to raise kids "business week";Named 4th out of 100 best places to live in Virginia "areavibe"; farmhouses to condos, subdivision developments to tree-lined streets in downtown area


2.) Beach Housing
>> no


2.) Lake Housing
>> yes


3.) Average Price $
>> 0245000.00


4.) Name of Nicest development(s)
>> Stroubles Mill, Deerfield, Deercroft, Brush Mountain Estates, Preston Forest, Auburn Hills, Diamond Pointe, Village at Tom's Creek, Wyatt Farm, Cedar Orchards, Trillium Place, Blacksburg Country Club, Laurel Ridge


INDUSTRIAL BASE Top
1.) Agriculture (what kind(s)?)
>> Christmas trees, cabbage


2.) Are any companies considering a move to the region? If so, list.
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


3.) Evaluate the economy.
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


4.) Has any industry been recently attracted?
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


5.) List the top employers
>> Virginia Tech, Volvo, Alliant Tech, Celanese, Radford University, Federal Mogul, EchoStar, Hollingsworth & Vose.


6.) Unemployment Rate (increasing / decreasing)?
>> decreasing


7.) What is being done to attract new industry?
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


MISC. QUESTIONS Top
1.) Location Name
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


2.) Describe the looks of the area / town
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


3.) Miscellaneous Comments
>> NO ANSWER GIVEN


RECREATION Top
1.) Are there any annual events sponsored by the community which stimulates local, state, or regional interest?
>> ACC college sports at Virginia Tech, Steppin' Out, Friday night concerts on Henderson Lawn in Blacksburg


2.) Country Clubs
>> yes


3.) Fishing
>> yes


4.) Golf Courses
>> yes


5.) Gymnastics / Ballet
>> yes


6.) Indoor Pools
>> yes


7.) Number of Local Theaters
>> 5


8.) Number of Recreational Parks
>> 25


9.) Other Recreation Comments
>> Public and private recreational opportunities are varied. The county and the two towns operate recreation departments providing many programs, activities, and facilities for all age groups such as swimming, golf, bowling, soccer, tennis, and softball. The community boasts 37 ball fields, 18 swimming pools, 68 outdoor and 5 indoor tennis courts, 6 public parks, 10 golf courses, 10 indoor cinemas, and a drive-in theater. Two private country clubs provide full amenities for members and guests. Over 19, 000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest are located in the county providing easy access to hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, picnicking, and breathtaking scenery. Other popular choices include the Appalachian Trail, Claytor Lake State Park, and the nearby scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Both downhill and cross-country ski resorts are also nearby.


10.) Racquetball Courts
>> yes


11.) Recreational Lakes / Beaches
>> yes


12.) Snow & Water Skiing
>> yes


13.) State Parks
>>
  • Claytor Lake State Park
  • Cascades Park (national forest area)


    14.) Tennis Courts
    >> yes


    15.) What is available for children?
    >> Organized sports; Blacksburg Aquatic Center, The Renaissance Music Academy offers private and group lessons in piano, violin, and cello for students age four to eighteen.


    16.) YMCA / YWCA
    >> yes


    • RELIGION Top
    1.) Denominations Available
    >> Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Baptist, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Judaism, Other


    SCHOOLS Top
    1.) Areas schools excel at: (ie, science, math, music, etc)
    >> Average SAT score is 1100


    2.) Elementary and High Schools
    >> yes


    3.) Gifted programs in schools
    >> Dual-enrollment; advanced placement


    4.) Junior Colleges
    >> yes


    		5.) Other
    >> Southwest Virginia Governor's School for Science & Technology


    6.) Private Schools
    >> yes


    7.) Universities (Please list)
    >>
  • Virginia Tech State University
  • Radford University


    • SHOPPING & RESTAURANTS Top
    1.) Shopping Mall(s) - Closest
    >> New River Valley Mall, Best Buy, Wal-mart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Home Depot, Lowe's


    		2.) Quality Restaurants
    >> The Farmhouse; Vincent's; Boudreaux's; Nerv's; The Summit