Radford (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
Radford (city) is not a build-out site today. It feels the boom through the grid it shares, the utilities that serve it and the work nearby. Radford (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Next door, Montgomery County has 2 data centers. Unemployment was 4.9% in August 2026, against 3.5% in 2019. Employers here counted 6,190 jobs in 2025, up 3.8% from 2019. 17,243 people live here, up 7.0% since 2020.
Cities and towns in Radford (city)
Radford (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 Radford (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 16,117 | 17,243 | ▲ 7.0% | 87th of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 5,961 | 6,190 | ▲ 3.8% | 50th of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $44,537 | $54,600 | ▲ 22.6% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.5% | 4.9% | ▲ 1.4pts | — |
Who powers Radford (city)
No operating power plant is located in Radford (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Radford (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 6,190 | $54,600 | 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 Radford (city)
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Radford (city). Virginia has 13 local measures on record statewide.
Radford (city) and its neighbors
Of the 2 counties that border Radford (city), Pulaski 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radford (city) | 17,243 | ▲ 3.8% | — | — | — | — |
| Montgomery County | 98,434 | ▲ 4.0% | 24 MW | — | 2 | — |
| Pulaski County | 33,586 | ▼ 6.3% | 81 MW | 150 MW | — | — |
More of Virginia
Radford (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Radford (city)?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Radford (city). The nearest activity on record is next door in Montgomery County.
What county is Radford, VA in?
Radford is in Radford (city), Virginia. About 17,243 people live there (2025 Census estimate).
Is Radford (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 6,190 jobs in 2025 against 5,961 in 2019 (+3.8%, BLS QCEW).
Does Radford (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Radford (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.