Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 41 min6:06 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 39 min7:33 am – 5:12 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People858 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 59.1392 householdsMedian household income $42,400Median home value $150,90094% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $906 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting2.4% unemployment rate40% of adults are in the labour force, 285 employedMain industries: construction 22%, manufacturing 22%, other services 13%Average commute 35 minutes73% drive alone, 16% car-pool, 4% walk or cycle, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages18% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher91% finished high school, 5% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 79°F, lows 63°FColdest month January: highs 41°F, lows 22°F49 in of rain a yearwettest month July9 in of snow a year, on about 4 days0 days above 90°F, 89 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Elk Creek 4ssw station, 4 mi away; rain from Fries 6.9 Wsw; snow from Trout Dale 3 Sse
Parks and public landsThe Big Survey Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.9 miJefferson National Forestnational forest · 14.7 mi · 711,977 acresNew River Trail State Parkstate park · 15.1 miGrayson Highlands State Parkstate park · 16.6 mi · 4,476 acresSouth Fork of the New River State Natural and Scenic Riverstate park · 17.3 mi · 611 acresNew River State Parkstate park · 19.2 mi · 3,194 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202018 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202018 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowGrayson County, VA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsLandslide Relatively ModerateCold wave Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality94% of days had good air in 2025337 of 357 days measured20 moderate daysMedian index 37, worst day 80main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Giles County, VA, 49 mi away
Internet at home89% of households have a broadband subscription56% have cable, fibre or DSL16% rely on a mobile data plan alone11% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Independenceserves 971 people from purchased ground water under influence of surface water sourNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation2,591 ft790 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalTwin County Regional Hospital15.2 miPost officeElk Creek Post Office1.2 miTown hallIndependence Town Hall7.3 miPoliceGrayson County Sheriff's Office7.2 miFire stationElk Creek Volunteer Fire Departmentunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeWilkes Community College - Alleghany Center15.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI70 miMajor airportPiedmont Triad International Airport GSO82 miInterstateI-8114 miUS highwayUS 211.5 miAmtrakHinton, WV HIN68 miCoachWytheville (Elizabeth Brown Park)Virginia Breeze, Operated by Dillon's17 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 24326 ZIP area.
