Ceres is a small rural community at the edge of Bland County, bordered by the Jefferson National Forest and the rising Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers countryside living as many would picture it, with homes on several acres, farm animals and the hush that comes with being at the mountain foothills. “Most folks have been around the area for years and years. But every so often, new people will come in, want to buy some land, make their own little home,” says Randy Johnson, the Bland County Board of Supervisors chairperson. “Living in the countryside, you can do what you want with your land and get that peace and quiet.”
Diverse housing options from ranch styles to custom homes
One main two-lane road weaves through the community, revealing rolling hills, grazing cattle and power lines that cross the dips and rises of the valley. Homes in Ceres tend to be midcentury ranch styles, early 1900s farmhouses and manufactured houses, most separated by several acres. Occasionally, a new resident will buy a plot of land to build a custom home. Many living here have built additional structures around their properties, from tool sheds to barns to run-ins for their cattle and horses. Small homes needing renovation can sell for as low as $50,000 to $70,000, while larger properties range from $150,000 to $250,000. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4
Appalachian Trail access points and Hungry Mother State Park
With Brushy Mountain to the north and Big Walker Mountain to the south, locals can access miles of hiking trails that run through the forest and up the mountainsides, scenic vantage points and peaks overlooking the landscape below. Several portions of the Appalachian Trail run through the community, with the Chestnut Ridge Trailhead being a popular access point for those seeking access to the AT. Just west of Ceres, typically a 20- to 30-minute drive, is the entrance to Hungry Mother State Park, one of the original six Virginia state parks. Anchored by a 108-acre lake, many go to Hungry Mother for swimming, paddle boarding and fishing. The park's thick woodland has several well-maintained trails for hiking and biking.
Church cookouts, community gatherings, and shopping in Bland or Marion
Ceres has no retail plazas or bunches of fast-casual restaurants on the main road. Daily life reflects Ceres’ rural, southern Virginia nature. Residents run into the small post office, stop at roadside produce stands off Route 42 and attend church cookouts. “People living that far out in the county usually come to Bland to do a couple of things here and there, going to the Dollar General or the market,” Johnson says. “Now, if you need to go to Walmart or want a sit-down meal, you’re making the trek to Marion.” Located 27 miles from Ceres, Marion has a large retail area with big-box stores and grocers, along with a historic downtown area with locally owned boutiques and restaurants.
Bland County schools and STEM programs
Ceres falls under Bland County Public Schools, and most children living in the area will start at Bland County Elementary School, which receives a B-minus on Niche. They can head to B-rated Bland County High School, which teaches seventh through 12th grades. Both the elementary and high schools offer supplementary STEM programs, with hands-on projects that often invite community participation. In 2025, Bland County Public Schools opened enrollment for their summer STEM program, Down on the Farm, which allows students to work with local farmers to understand agriculture better.
A car-dependent rural community with limited services
Route 42, also called Blue Grass Trail, runs through the center of the community and connects to Interstate 77 in the neighboring town of Bland. Ceres is very rural, so it is also car-dependent. Those living here can expect to be farther out from businesses and services, with Wythe County Community Hospital being the closest medical center 21 miles away, about a 30-minute drive. Tri-Cities Airport, roughly 85 miles away, is served by a few major commercial airlines.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
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A beautiful big acreage tract of land that adjoins the national forest, has great access with multiple driveway entrances along the road frontage and even comes with leftover internal trails and a stocked trout stream meandering through one corner of the parcel. Properties like this don't come on the market often, this one has everything! This large tract of land is full of timber and even has a
Only cash offers will be accepted. Escape to the peacefulness and privacy of this secluded mountain sanctuary nestled on 52+/- wooded acres. Perfectly suited for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, or those seeking true solitude, this unique property includes both a main house and a charming cabin tucked deep in the forest. The main home welcomes you with a vaulted living room featuring a rock
Discover the tranquility of mountain living with this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom house nestled on a sprawling 12-acre mini-farm, well suited for horses, in the heart of Southwest Virginia. Boasting hardwood and tile floors, a newer metal roof, and charming wood siding, this property offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Step outside and immerse yourself in the natural
Trevor HacklerUnited Country Anders Realty & Auction
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
630
Median Age
50
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$50,400
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,467
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.5%
College Graduates
14%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.9%
% Population in Labor Force
51.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
19''
Area Factors
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.
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.
