New River Valley, VA – Blue Ridge Country Magazine recently ran a reader poll that ranked some of Virginia’s New River Valley communities as the Top 61 Happiest Mountain Towns in the Blue Ridge. These rankings make it clearer than ever that the NRV is one of the most vibrant and livable regions in the Blue Ridge, which includes the mountain regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Just under 100 mountain towns were measured using criteria like cost of living, average commute, crime rates, unemployment, and median household income, and then narrowed down to sixty-one communities for readers to choose from.
In the 10,000–49,999 population category, three NRV towns all placed within the top twenty: Blacksburg (#6), Christiansburg (#17), and Radford (#18). The NRV’s smaller towns also held their own. For the towns under 10,000 residents, Floyd ranked #3, and Pulaski came in at #26.
When you look at the methodology and the final results together, a clear pattern emerges: the NRV wasn’t just represented; it excelled. Whether it’s the university‑driven innovation of Blacksburg, the commercial and recreational balance of Christiansburg, the river‑city charm of Radford, the artistic soul of Floyd, or the steady resurgence of Pulaski, each community offers its own version of happiness. The NRV isn’t just a collection of towns; it’s a region where quality of life is a shared value, and where every community, large or small, has created a unique sense of belonging. It’s simply A Natural Fit.
Read the full article here.
