Clifton Forge Commercial Historic District is a national historic district located at Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Virginia. The district encompasses 77 contributing buildings in the central business district of Clifton Forge.

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4 on the National Register · #85 in VAHistoric places →

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About Clifton Forge

Town in Virginia, United States

3,555Population

3.1 sq miArea

1,083 ftElevation

Clifton Forge is a town in Alleghany County, Virginia, United States which is part of the greater Roanoke Region. The population was 3,555 at the 2020 census. The Jackson River flows through the town, which as a result was once known as Jackson's River Station. Clifton Forge was an independent city during the 2000 census. However, in 2001, Clifton Forge gave up its city status and reverted to a town. In previous decades, the railroad was a major employer. Clifton Forge is known for its mountain views and clear streams.

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From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Clifton Forge ranks

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#1Cheapest rent in VA #1Highest graduation rate in VA #3Most affordable in VA All VA rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code24422

Area code540

Living in Clifton Forge

Housing in Clifton Forge

$148K▼ 0.7% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Clifton Forge home is worth about $148,000, down 0.7% in a year, 64% below the Virginia typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Clifton Forge

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Clifton Forge reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 58% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Clifton Forge 1.8

Virginia 2.1

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Clifton Forge 12.5

Virginia 13.9

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Clifton Forge

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Most working residents leave Clifton Forge for work: only 9% work in town. The top destinations are Covington (12%), Roanoke (4%) and Selma (3%). Half commute less than 27 miles.

Covington

12%

Roanoke

Selma

Low Moor

9%Work in townlive and work in Clifton Forge 27 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 592Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Clifton Forge →

Health in Clifton Forge

Health Grade D

Healthier than 9% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 44% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Virginia

1better than VA·18worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 13 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 3▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

82.2%More adults treating high blood pressureVA 76.8% · better 12%More adults with COPDVA 6.2% · worse

Care nearby

Lewisgale Hospital AlleghanyLow Moor · 7.7 mi · ER

Rockbridge Area Health CenterLexington · 23 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Clifton Forge · CMS · HRSAHealth in Clifton Forge →

Natural hazards in Clifton Forge

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 64% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding💨 Strong wind🥶 Cold waves

8Does Clifton Forge flood?paid flood claims since 1978 2Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Clifton Forge

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Clifton Forge →

Climate in Clifton Forge

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Clifton Forge has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 10 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

47° / 27°Winter

68° / 42°Spring

85° / 62°Summer

68° / 45°Fall