Galax (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
No data center or power plant project is on record in Galax (city), but the national build-out still reaches it through its utility bill, its labor market and the projects next door. Galax (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Employers here counted 5,618 jobs in 2025, down 3.4% from 2019. Unemployment was 3.5% in August 2026, against 3.3% in 2019. 6,670 people live here, down 0.7% since 2020.
Cities and towns in Galax (city)
Galax (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Galax (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 6,716 | 6,670 | ▼ 0.7% | 124th of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 5,816 | 5,618 | ▼ 3.4% | 97th of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $31,800 | $42,255 | ▲ 32.9% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.3% | 3.5% | ▲ 0.2pts | — |
Who powers Galax (city)
No operating power plant is located in Galax (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Galax (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 5,618 | $42,255 | 1.00 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Galax (city)
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Galax (city). Virginia has 13 local measures on record statewide.
Galax (city) and its neighbors
Of the 2 counties that border Galax (city), Carroll County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galax (city) | 6,670 | ▼ 3.4% | — | — | — | — |
| Carroll County | 29,299 | ▼ 6.7% | 50 MW | — | — | — |
| Grayson County | 15,230 | ▲ 1.2% | 5 MW | — | — | — |
More of Virginia
Galax (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Galax (city)?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Galax (city).
Is Galax (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 5,618 jobs in 2025 against 5,816 in 2019 (-3.4%, BLS QCEW).
Does Galax (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Galax (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.