A bustling downtown, suburban homes and Virginia Tech campus
Blacksburg was founded in the 1790s by William Black, who inherited 600 acres from his father Samuel and split them with his brother John. William donated 32 acres to form the small town of Blacksburg, which he hoped would be a stopping point for pioneers. “People have always come and gone through Blacksburg," says Richard Baldwin, a resident and museum assistant with the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Center. "In the past, it was a frontier town where people could stop on their way through the Appalachian Mountains, but today the university makes the population ever-changing. In summer, it’s a quiet, small town, but come August it’s a pretty bustling downtown."
Blacksburg is a hub for Virginia Tech students and families, with big Hokies football game days, downtown events and dozens of restaurants and bars. The university is a top employer in town, along with Montgomery Regional Hospital, Allied Universal and retailers like Food Lion and Kroger. Historic sites such as St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, along with art and cultural exhibits at the Blacksburg Museum in Downtown Blacksburg , give modern residents a glimpse into the past. “We’re really excited to do work at the St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall," Baldwin says. "We’re excited to create new exhibits next year to really display some of the faces of people who actually live there. We're lucky to still have people living here who grew up in New Town in the 1950s and 1960s." Still, modern development projects and city-wide initiatives continue to propel Blacksburg into the future.
Downtown Blacksburg is full of life, community and culture.
Downtown Eastside relies on a free bus service that operates within Blacksburg.
The tranquil surroundings of Northside Park make it an attractive choice in Blacksburg..
The proximity to VT makes Northside Park a convenient location for students in Blacksburg.
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A thousand acres of parks and trails to explore
The town of Blacksburg has dozens of parks, ballfields and places to bike, hike and walk pets. “Blacksburg has over 1,000 acres of parkland for the public to enjoy,” says Dean Crane, the town's director of Parks and Recreation. “Our largest park is 200-plus acres, but many of the parks are connected by trails so one can explore for miles from one park to another.” The multi-use Brush Mountain trail system connects Blacksburg to the National Forest, where there are over 35 miles of additional trails.
The popular Huckleberry Trail was once a rail line, which stopped so frequently that passengers could get off the train to pick huckleberries. “The paved Huckleberry Trail is our greenway network that connects Christiansburg to Blacksburg to the National Forest,” Crane says. In Apperson-Dickerson , Blacksburg has a community center with two gyms and many multi-purpose rooms, as well as a fitness center and an art space. “We run our programs at the site as well as rent space to the public," Crane says. "Our Aquatic Center is a 25-yard pool with a zero-depth entry where we offer lessons, free swim and lap times."
The town also runs youth basketball programs with around 350 children and hosts several different week-long summer camp programs. In 2023 the town hosted over 185 different opportunities for children to try on summer break.
Pandapas Pond in Blacksburg is especially beautiful in the fall.
Blacksburg has access to nature reserves and hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
Enjoy a day of fishing near McBryde neighborhood in Blacksburg..
Coal Mining Heritage Park loop trails have amazing natural views all around in Blacksburg.
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Historic and modern colonial-inspired homes and townhouses
Because of its early American roots and modern affiliation with Virginia Tech, Blacksburg has a wide variety of housing. Only a few Cape Cod and colonial-style houses from the 1700s and 1800s still exist today. More common are midcentury brick ranch-style homes and bungalows built into the hillsides or tucked between tall trees. The 1990s and early 2000s brought back colonial styles but with a modern twist, and new homes from the past 10 years include modern farmhouses and oversized Cape Cods.
Homes in the neighborhoods surrounding Virginia Tech, such as Kabrich Crescent , Farmview-Ramble , McBryde and Hethwood-Prices Fork , have an average home value that ranges between $350,000 and $500,000. However, Miller Southside , directly southeast of Downtown Blacksburg, has an average around $650,000. Neighborhoods further north and in more rural areas, like Tom's Creek and Northside Park , have an average home value of around $550,000.
Condos or townhouses near downtown can cost between $200,000 and $1.2 million, while units near Shenandoah , Main-Patrick Henry and Kabrich Crescent can run from $150,000 to $500,000.
Colonial Revival homes are a popular choice in Blacksburg.
Many houses in Blacksburg offer spacious interiors with open floor plans.
Streets in Blacksburg are lined with Colonial style homes.
Some colonial-style homes are within the Hethwood-Prices Fork neighborhood of Blacksburg..
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Montgomery County Public Schools and Virginia Tech
Blacksburg is part of the Montgomery County Public Schools system, which has 11 elementary, four middle and four high schools. The district, graded an overall A-minus on Niche, serves other nearby towns like Christiansburg, Auburn and Belview. Blacksburg students can attend one of several nearby early schools for preschool through fifth grade but often attend Blacksburg Middle School and Blacksburg High School, which have a B-plus and an A on Niche, respectively.
Virginia Tech earns an overall A-plus on Niche, with high scores for its athletics, academics, party scene downtown and its sprawling green campus. “The Duck Pond is a great place to walk and study for students. It has a gazebo and a huge group of ducks that hang out there. It’s a nice place to relax and take in the scenery,” Baldwin says.
Gilbert Linkous Elementary School offers a quality education to children living Blackburg,VA.
Students of Blacksburg enjoy the quality education offered by Blacksburg Middle School.
Blacksburg High School serves as a cornerstone of education and development in the region.
Virginia Tech is a leading public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia.
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Students and residents flock to downtown or head south on Route 460 to shop
Main Street is also Route 460, which means there’s a lot of traffic that goes through the area, especially around the shops and restaurants. Downtown Main Street has dozens of locally owned spots that are frequented by residents and Virginia Tech students, such as Benny Marzano’s for a giant slice of pizza, and Square 5 Public House for a beer after work or class. Unique cuisine around town includes Yeah Siam Thai, Gillie’s vegetarian restaurant and Souvlaki’s menu of authentic Greek dishes. The main grocery stores in Blacksburg include Kroger and Food Lion. On North Franklin Street are dozens of chain stores and restaurants located right next to the Uptown Christiansburg shopping mall.
Blacksburg locals enjoy a pizza slice from Benny Marzano's.
Residents of Downtown Blacksburg will enjoy close proximity to many dining options.
Kroger is one of the main grocery stores in Blacksburg.
Blacksburg is known for its thriving micro brew options. .
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Downtown Blacksburg's many events and festivals on Main Street
Blacksburg has many events, markets and festivals throughout the year, from Virginia Tech sports games and performances to the ever-popular Blacksburg Farmer’s Market at Market Square Park on Roanoke Street. Downtown hosts an international street fair in April, Market Square Jam, which features live music every week from June through September the massive Steppin’ Out event, the first weekend in August, is when nearly 200 artists and craft vendors sell their wares. Henderson Lawn on Virginia Tech’s campus hosts Friday night concerts June through July, and the town’s Fourth of July fireworks show is a huge event at Municipal Park. In October and December, the town hosts holiday parades for Halloween and Christmas.
Blacksburg Farmer’s Market at Market Square Park is a community favorite.
Blacksburg is known for its vibrant annual community events and gatherings.
Blacksburg locals love Market Square Jam where the community comes together in Downtown.
The annual Steppin' Out festival is a popular Blacksburg tradition.
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Commutes to major Virginia cities and the nation's capital
The Blacksburg Transit bus system takes students and residents to major shopping centers, the Montgomery Regional Hospital and downtown. Blacksburg is about 269 miles from Washington, D.C., which drivers can reach by heading north for about four hours on Interstate 81, passing areas like Staunton, Harrisonburg and Fairfax along the way. Richmond is about 218 miles northeast and takes about three hours to reach via Interstate 81 and then Interstate 64, which also passes through Charlottesville.
Blacksburg is well-served by public transportation, making commuting easy for residents.
Blacksburg is well connected by major highways to greater Virginia and beyond.
Blacksburg residents with low mobility in enjoy the convenience of Blacksburg Transit.
Blacksburg is just a few hours drive to Washington, D.C. via I64.
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Low crime and hidden waterways beneath the city
From 2021 through 2023, the number of violent crimes in Blacksburg increased by 26%, as did the number of property crimes. However, according to FBI statistics, Blacksburg's violent and property crime rates remain lower than national and state figures.
Early settlers relied on the Stroubles Creek Watershed, but after two centuries of progress, it’s since been built over. Sixteen bronze frogs now mark places where the waterways persist today, but the possibilities of pollution and flooding are possible. Hurricane Helene also took Blacksburg by surprise, causing major flood damage throughout town and putting favorite spots like New River Junction campground underwater.
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