Big Island ZIP Codes — Bedford County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Big Island, Virginia and it is 24526. Area code: 434.
1
ZIP codes
70.91
sq mi land
0.91
sq mi water
434
area code
Big Island, VA ZIP code map

About Big Island, VA

Big Island is a small, charming community located in Bedford County, Virginia. Known for its scenic beauty and friendly atmosphere, it offers a glimpse into rural life in the heart of Virginia. This quaint town serves as a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike, showcasing the natural beauty of the area alongside a tight-knit community spirit.

Location & geography

Geographically, Big Island is situated in the central region of Virginia. It is located approximately 25 miles south of the city of Lynchburg, which is the nearest major urban center. The town encompasses a land area of 70.91 square miles, with an additional 0.91 square miles dedicated to water, providing a balance of landscapes with rolling hills and serene water bodies.

Community & economy

The character of Big Island is rooted in its community-oriented lifestyle, where residents often know one another by name. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small businesses, which contribute to its quaint, rural charm. Daily life in Big Island typically includes outdoor activities, local events, and a pace that reflects the tranquility of the surrounding nature.

Transportation

Accessibility in Big Island is primarily facilitated by Route 122, which connects the town to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is Lynchburg Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away, offering regional flights and services. Public transportation options are limited due to the town's rural nature, making personal vehicles the primary means of transit for residents.

History

Big Island was founded in the early 19th century and has a rich history that reflects the development of agriculture in Bedford County. Key industries in the area historically included farming and timber, which shaped the community's growth and economy. Notable events include its designation as a trading post and the establishment of local churches that have served the community for decades.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Big Island is that it was named for its location near the confluence of the Roanoke River, giving it a unique landscape. Additionally, the town has a small but vibrant annual festival that celebrates local culture and brings the community together.

ZIP codes for Big Island, VA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
24526 Big Island Bedford View map

Demographics & statistics

1,498
Population
42.6
Median age
$68,585
Median household income
$31,302
Per capita income
$219,000
Median home value
$832
Median monthly rent
82.2%
Home ownership
3.3%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
603
Housing units
21.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
29
Under 5
32
89
5–9
100
11
10–14
13
46
15–19
51
4
20–24
5
114
25–34
128
90
35–44
100
130
45–54
146
14
55–59
16
17
60–64
19
134
65–74
149
22
75–84
24
7
85+
8
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1834222.8%
18 and over1,15677.2%
65 and over34423.0%
Median age42.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.4%
Black or African American 5.7%
Two or more races 1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%
GroupCount%
White1,38492.4%
Black or African American855.7%
Two or more races161.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native130.9%

Household income

Under $10k 2.4%
$10k–$15k 1.4%
$15k–$25k 9.4%
$25k–$35k 4.8%
$35k–$50k 20.0%
$50k–$75k 23.7%
$75k–$100k 12.2%
$100k–$150k 17.5%
$150k–$200k 7.6%
$200k+ 1.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.4%
$10k–$15k1.4%
$15k–$25k9.4%
$25k–$35k4.8%
$35k–$50k20.0%
$50k–$75k23.7%
$75k–$100k12.2%
$100k–$150k17.5%
$150k–$200k7.6%
$200k+1.0%
Median income$68,585

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.7%
$50k–$100k 5.6%
$100k–$150k 17.4%
$150k–$200k 18.8%
$200k–$300k 35.8%
$300k–$500k 12.2%
$500k–$1M 4.4%
$1M+ 3.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$219,000
Median rent / month$832
Owner occupied82.2%
Renter occupied17.8%
Vacant12.0%
Single-family detached93.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes6.3%
Median rooms5.4
Avg household size (owned)2.21

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.7%
2010–20193.2%
2000–200914.0%
1990–19999.1%
1980–19893.1%
1970–197922.1%
1960–19698.7%
1950–195913.6%
1940–19499.7%
1939 or earlier15.9%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)4.6%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms35.7%
3 bedrooms51.5%
4 bedrooms8.3%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.3%
1 vehicle7.5%
2 vehicles34.7%
3 or more54.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity67.7%
Propane / LP gas7.2%
Fuel oil8.4%
Wood16.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family37759.9%
Cohabiting couple7211.4%
Male householder, no spouse9214.6%
Female householder, no spouse8814.0%
Households with children under 1820532.6%
Households with seniors (65+)26942.8%
Average household size2.37

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married18.7%24.2%
Married67.6%64.9%
Separated0.0%2.3%
Widowed3.7%5.2%
Divorced10.0%3.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.2%
Some HS, no diploma 3.0%
HS graduate 29.5%
Some college, no degree 25.5%
Associate's degree 17.4%
Bachelor's degree 15.4%
Graduate / professional 5.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher93.7%
Bachelor's or higher21.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool266.8%
Kindergarten4010.4%
Elementary school13334.5%
High school10527.3%
College / grad school8121.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 29.8%
Education & healthcare 23.3%
Retail trade 16.5%
Professional & management 9.9%
Other services 5.9%
Construction 4.2%
Information 3.5%
Public administration 3.5%
Transportation & utilities 2.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 0.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts29.2%
Service13.4%
Sales & office25.8%
Natural resources & construction8.6%
Production & transportation23.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector88.1%
Government10.0%
Self-employed1.9%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone97.6%
Carpool2.0%
Public transit0.2%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)27.9

Poverty

All people 3.3%
Under 18 years 0.3%
18 and over 4.2%
Married-couple families 6.4%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security43.4%
Retirement income29.9%
Supplemental Security5.2%
Cash public assistance2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP3.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.8%
High cholesterol35.1%
Heart disease6.8%
Stroke3.3%
Asthma9.2%
Arthritis30.0%
Kidney disease3.0%
Pulmonary disease7.4%
Cancer7.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.2%
No physical activity20.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep34.2%
Fair or poor health14.0%
Poor mental health13.3%
Poor physical health10.1%
No health insurance11.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.4%
Visited dentist69.1%
Cholesterol screening92.3%
Teeth loss11.3%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans14712.7%
Disability%
Any disability7.3%
Under 186.4%
18–64 years5.8%
65 and over11.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance62.7%
Public insurance39.3%
Uninsured under 190.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,43795.9%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,47498.4%
Born in same state1,47498.4%
Born in different state1,14076.1%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen241.6%
Not a US citizen24100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French30920.6%
Arab22114.8%
AncestryCount%
Italian1288.5%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access42.0%
Internet access86.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Big Island, VA have?
Big Island, VA has one ZIP code: 24526. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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