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Merrimac

Merrimac

Neighborhood in Blacksburg, Virginia

Montgomery County 24060

$389,155 Average Value
$232 Average Price per Sq Ft

Subdivision in between Blacksburg and Christiansburg

Situated midway between Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Merrimac offers residents immediate access to major towns and their amenities. “Merrimac is technically a part of Blacksburg, but some parts feel more like a part of Christiansburg,” says Judy Ronan, a long-time resident of Christiansburg. Although this neighborhood is considered suburban, Merrimac teeters on the edge of the New River Valley countryside, which creates a more rural and private setting for most homeowners. This area is home to a range of residential communities, including senior living complexes, townhouse developments and single-family residences. From the late 1800s to the mid-20th century, Merrimac was a prominent industrial community specializing in coal mining operations, and there have been several initiatives to preserve the local history. Bordering the neighborhood is the LewisGale Montgomery Hospital and its surrounding healthcare specialty centers.

Townhouses, single-family homes and retirement communities

Although most of the properties here are apartments, there is still a smattering of single-family homes. Many of them sit on larger lots surrounded by mature trees and sprawling lawns; they also often feature private driveways. Ranch-style homes are the most common style here, and most cost between $150,000 and $400,000. The Highlands at Huckleberry Ridge is a townhouse complex with resident-only amenities, such as a clubhouse and pool. Senior living is available at Warm Hearth Village, a 220-acre retirement community. The village features both independent and assisted living care; independent living options include single-family homes at WoodsEdge priced between $400,000 and $700,000, single-level townhouses at Founder’s Forest, and smaller condo units across a few apartment buildings. Several mobile home parks, including the Oak Forest Mobile Home Community, are also located within Merrimac.
The Highlands at Huckleberry is a townhouse community in Merrimac.
The Highlands at Huckleberry is a townhouse community in Merrimac.
Warm Hearth Single-Family Homes is a modern retirement community in Merrimac.
Warm Hearth Single-Family Homes is a modern retirement community in Merrimac.
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Artifact-lined nature trail at Coal Mining Heritage Park

Merrimac sits right next to the Coal Mining Heritage Park and Loop Trail, a natural park area that features several archeological sites and historic landmarks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these preservation efforts were first initiated decades ago by faculty and students from Virginia Tech, who collaborated with Merrimac community organizations like the Warm Hearth retirement home and Price’s Fork Elementary School administration. Today, locals can bike or walk along the Coal Mining Trail Loop, which is lined with industrial-era artifacts that feature information plaques. The park also connects to the Huckleberry Trail, a major pedestrian-only greenway that travels up to Blacksburg.
Coal Mining Heritage Park features a 1.5-mile loop trail and mining artifacts in Merrimac.
Coal Mining Heritage Park features a 1.5-mile loop trail and mining artifacts in Merrimac.
Coal Mining Heritage Park loop trails have amazing natural views all around.
Coal Mining Heritage Park loop trails have amazing natural views all around.
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Blacksburg High is one of Virginia’s top public high schools

Students in this neighborhood are zoned for Montgomery County Public Schools, which was named a top 20 school district by Niche in 2024 and also receives an overall Niche rating of A-minus. Young learners in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade attend Price’s Fork Elementary, while those in grades six through eight go to Blacksburg Middle School; both Price’s Fork and Blacksburg Middle receive B-plus ratings. Blacksburg High School is situated on the same campus as the middle school and is rated A-plus. In 2024, Blacksburg High was named in Niche’s top 20 “Best Public High Schools in Virginia” list.
Blacksburg High School serves students from Merrimac.
Blacksburg High School serves students from Merrimac.
Prices Fork Elementary School serves residents from Merrimac.
Prices Fork Elementary School serves residents from Merrimac.
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Merrimac has access to Route 460 Bypass, which connects to other neighborhood.
Merrimac has access to Route 460 Bypass, which connects to other neighborhood.

Route 460 borders Merrimac and connects to neighboring towns

Merrimac borders Route 460, which is the main thoroughfare that connects Blacksburg and Christiansburg. “There are two Route 460s – there’s the 460 Business route, and there’s the Route 460 Bypass, which is what drivers can take to get around congestion and get straight into Blacksburg,” Ronan says. Residents here typically use personal vehicles and car travel to get around, but Blacksburg Transit does operate service along Two Town Trolley, a bus route connecting Blacksburg and Christiansburg that stops at the LewisGale Montgomery Hospital in Merrimac. Those who need to catch a flight should expect an approximately 40-mile drive to the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.

Uptown Christiansburg shopping mall is less than a mile away

A handful of eateries border Business Route 460, which runs along the neighborhood’s border. Along the route and directly across from the hospital is El Mariachi, a restaurant that specializes in traditional Mexican dishes. A little farther down the road is Milano’s Italian, which serves New York-style pizza and offers delivery. Several auto shops and car dealerships are situated in between the two restaurants. Less than a mile outside of Merrimac is the Franklin Street and Peppers Ferry Road intersection, which is surrounded by shopping malls, chain eateries and big-name retailers. “The Uptown Christiansburg mall has Ulta, HomeGoods, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s – there are a lot of good stores people want to go to,” Ronan says. “We also have a Target and a Walmart.
Near Merrimac, there is the Uptown Christiansburg Mall.
Near Merrimac, there is the Uptown Christiansburg Mall.
Big retailer Dicks is near Merrimac, offering all kinds of sports goods.
Big retailer Dicks is near Merrimac, offering all kinds of sports goods.
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The LewisGale Montgomery Hospital is located inside the Merrimac neighborhood.
The LewisGale Montgomery Hospital is located inside the Merrimac neighborhood.

LewisGale Montgomery Hospital has a 24/7 emergency room

One of the biggest draws of this neighborhood is its proximity to the LewisGale Montgomery Hospital and its many surrounding specialty medical offices. “LewisGale Montgomery is a 146-bed hospital with a 24/7 emergency room,” Ronan says, also adding that both Christiansburg and Blacksburg have several LewisGale-affiliated offices. Merrimac sits on the border of the sprawling medical complex – in addition to the main hospital and ER, the complex also features separate buildings that house specialty healthcare providers like Blacksburg Pediatrics, the Encore OBGYN Center of Southwest Virginia, and LewisGale Physicians cardiology and gastroenterology centers.
Hayley Simms
Written By
Hayley Simms
Photography Contributed By
Miguel Karroum
GL Moses
Video By
GL Moses

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brenda Woody, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field)

57 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Merrimac US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Merrimac Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$475,000
Median Sale Price
$450,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$450,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$639,750
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
81%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$232

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
168
Median Year Built
1980
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,760
Below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
37,461

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brenda Woody, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,147
Median Age
39
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.4%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$40,769
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,783

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
87.5%
College Graduates
44.7%
Advanced Degrees
25.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
49.4%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

28 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Merrimac