Today the city has an urban population of over 96,000, including the suburbs of Madison Heights, Timberlake and Forest. Lynchburg's economy is based on the many high-tech manufacturing companies located here including cellular communications, nuclear energy, and machinery. This manufacturing and research orientation represents a shift from the mill-based economy of the past, which included foundries, shoes and textiles.
Education is well-represented here with four area private colleges and a public community college.