Section Image

Barren Springs

Barren Springs

$221,190 Average Value
$130 Average Price per Sq Ft

A rural retreat along the New River tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Rushing waters of the winding New River and the scenic backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains attract homebuyers to Barren Springs, an unincorporated community in Hiwassee, Virginia. The population doesn’t suggest overcrowding — the town has only about 800 residents — but there is nothing barren about Barren Springs when it comes to recreation. Nestled along the New River and close to the New River Trail State Park, the community boasts access to abundant recreational opportunities. "Barren Springs doesn't have a lot, but it's great for outdoor recreation since it's right by the river," says local real estate agent Tonya Riggins of BHHS Mountain Sky Properties Inc. "If you're looking for a quiet place to live, Barren Springs is the place to be. It has a really tranquil country feel." While Barren Springs offers a rural retreat in the heart of Appalachia, residents are still conveniently located to larger towns such as Pulaski, Hillsville and Wytheville. Additionally, Barren Springs has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national figure of 4.

Log cabins and ranch styles in the mountains of Southwest Virginia

Single-family homes pepper the natural landscape, dotted along the winding country roads that branch off Highway 100. Homes reflect the rural feel of the area, ranging in architectural styles from minimalistic ranch-style to old farmhouses chock-full of character. While ranch-style homes are the most common, homebuyers may also find log cabins, mountain cottages and larger retreats. Parcels of land may also be available for sale. Few houses have been on the market in the last few years, so data on current home prices is minimal. Home values in Barren Springs range from $85,000 up to $585,000, with a median of $290,000. The median listing price of real estate hovers around $174,000.

Natural spaces and scenic trails along the New River

Proximity to the New River is a main draw for residents of Barren Springs and serves as a destination for locals in the area. A hub for recreation, the river attracts anglers to its banks and kayakers and rafters to its green waters. "The river is easy to get to from anywhere in Barren Springs," Riggins says, adding that many people set up to fish anywhere along the river, and kids pop their tubes in wherever they want. The New River Trail State Park, situated just west of Barren Springs, offers a plethora of rental options for locals to take advantage of the river and surrounding region. Rentals include canoes, kayaks, rafts for tubing and even horses for trail riding. The New River Trail parallels the river and stretches 57 miles along an abandoned railroad track, starting from the park and spanning four counties. Brimming with scenic overlooks, the trail winds through two tunnels and three major bridges. Multiple campgrounds also dot Barren Springs, such as River’s Edge Trail Camp and River Junction Campground.

Education in Wythe County public schools

Students in Barren Springs may attend schools in the Wythe County Public School District, which earns a B from Niche. Jackson Memorial Elementary School gets a B-minus grade and covers prekindergarten through fifth grades. Students may continue to the B-plus-rated Fort Chiswell Middle School before advancing to Fort Chiswell High School. Home of the Pioneers, the C-plus-rated high school offers a variety of extracurricular activities like performing arts such as choir and band, and a wide range of sports teams, including basketball, soccer and football.

Establishments with local flair and retail conveniences

Barren Springs residents head out of town for shopping and dining. The town lies equidistant from Hillsville and Pulaski. Grocery options in Pulaski include Food Lion and Food City, and restaurants there line East Main Street, ranging from fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s to local pizza joints and taco shops like Purple Cactus Taqueria. Dining in Hillsville includes fast-casual spots and local establishments like The Hillsville Diner and The Mason Jar, a popular sports bar known for its classic American lunch and dinner specials.



Closer to home, Barren Springs residents can explore local establishments and attractions that evoke the rural Appalachian flair of the area. Carpenter’s Grocery prides itself in being an old-fashioned general store located just south of Barren Springs. Located in the Foster Falls Historic District adjacent to the New River Trail State Park, the Inn at Foster Falls is an antebellum farmhouse converted into a 3-star hotel. Its dining room, 1887 Restaurant at Foster Falls, is open to the public and serves an elevated brunch menu on Sundays and an upscale, chef-curated, French-inspired dinner menu throughout the week. In neighboring Draper, the Draper Mercantile and Trading Company welcomes visitors to its eclectic building for shopping and dining in its casual atmosphere. "The Draper Merc is a great place to eat close to Barren Springs," Riggins notes. Nearby attractions also include wineries such as Spinning Jenny Vineyard and Iron Heart Winery.

Proximity to Interstate 81 and North Carolina

State Highway 100 is Barren Springs’ main thoroughfare, connecting the town to Interstate 81 to the north and Highway 221 to the south. Pulaski is 11 miles north and Hillsville sits approximately 13 miles south. Route 100 runs parallel to Interstate 77, and the two thoroughfares connect via Route 607 from Barren Springs. "You're also not far from the North Carolina state line," Riggins says, adding that the location puts residents close to North Carolina towns like Mt Airy and cities like Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 neighborhood? Reach out to Darin Greear, an experienced agent in this area.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Barren Springs US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Barren Springs Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$173,450
Median Sale Price
$163,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$132,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$130

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
114
Median Year Built
1979
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,432
Significantly below the national average
1,927
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
784
Median Age
47
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$39,027
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,653

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.7%
College Graduates
12.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
7''

Area Factors

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

6 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Barren Springs neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Barren Springs