Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 47 min5:57 am – 8:44 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 33 min7:30 am – 5:03 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People5,334 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 47.32,222 householdsMedian household income $48,750Median home value $113,400Median rent $678 a month74% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $890 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting1.5% unemployment rate43% of adults are in the labour force, 1,870 employedMain industries: education and health care 25%, manufacturing 15%, hospitality, food and recreation 13%Average commute 23 minutes92% drive alone, 2% car-pool, 5% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages20% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher90% finished high school, 10% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 97%, Spanish 2%1% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 60°FColdest month January: highs 40°F, lows 22°F47 in of rain a year, on about 90 dayswettest month May25 in of snow a year, on about 9 days5 days above 90°F, 126 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Hot Springs station, 12 mi away
Nearby landmarksWilson Mountainpeak · 2.7 miCowpasture Riverriver · 3.6 miJackson Riverriver · 3.6 miDaisy Knobpeak · 2.8 miDabney S Lancaster Community Collegecollege · 5.7 miDouthat Lakelake · 5.7 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsDouthat State Parkstate park · 3.4 mi · 53 acresLake Robinson State Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 7.2 mi · 528 acresVOF Holdingstate recreation area · 10.1 mi · 791 acresShort Hills Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 13.5 mi · 83 acresShort Hillsstate conservation land · 13.5 mi · 83 acresGathright Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 13.6 mi · 2,558 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes4 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.6 on 30 May 197448 mi away, near Blacksburg, VirginiaMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 16 May 200943 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowCovington City, VA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsStrong wind Relatively ModerateLightning Relatively LowSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality84% of days had good air in 2025306 of 365 days measured59 moderate daysMedian index 37, worst day 80main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Roanoke County, VA, 40 mi away
Internet at home82% of households have a broadband subscription72% have cable, fibre or DSL7% rely on a mobile data plan alone15% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Clifton Forgeserves 3,884 people from surface water1 health-based violation since 2021latest Dec 2023: disinfection by-products, treatment technique1 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,283 ft391 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalLewisGale Hospital Alleghany7.7 miPost officeIron Gate Post Office3.3 miTown hallIron Gate Town Hall3.2 miPoliceClifton Forge Police Department4.2 miFire stationSharon Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders1.2 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 elementaryElementarySharon Elementary School1.6 miCollegeDabney S Lancaster Community College5.7 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportGreenbrier Valley Airport LWB36 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO120 miInterstateI-64under a mileUS highwayUS 2202.3 miAmtrakClifton Forge, VA CLF4.4 miCoachLexington (Food Lion)Virginia Breeze, Operated by Dillon's18 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24422 ZIP area.
