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Clifton Forge, VA

View of Clifton Forge, VA
Image credit: WaldoJ at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
3,372
U.S. Census Population Estimates Program · 2025
Elevation
1,081 ft
Median Home Value
$109,500
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Rent
$592/mo
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Income
$40,000
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
General Quality
Overall rating out of 100

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OverallBest places in VirginiaPopulation rankingHighest population places in VirginiaNearest larger communityRoanoke, Virginia38 miles away · 99,111 residents.

About Clifton Forge

Set right along the Jackson River in western Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, Clifton Forge is a quiet, friendly town of around 3,500 residents. The community grew up around the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, serving as a bustling hub for locomotive repairs throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries. That rich rail history still shapes the town today, visible in its historic downtown architecture and walkable neighborhood streets.

Clifton Forge, Virginia

These days, the town has built a charming local arts community around spots like the historic Masonic Theatre and the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center. Main Street is home to the C&O Railway Heritage Center, and Amtrak still stops right in town a few times a week. For outdoor enthusiasts, Douthat State Park and Lake Moomaw are only a short drive away for hiking, fishing, and boating. It is an appealing spot for anyone looking for affordable mountain living, a relaxed pace, and easy access to the great outdoors.

Top Rating Signals

Highest current ratings for this town.

Lower County Wildfire Hazard Potential ClassA+100.0ratingLower Projected Late-Century County-Area Exposure to Sea-Level RiseA+100.0ratingSmall Town FitA+100.0rating

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