Atlantic: Demographics & People
342 people call Atlantic home, in 170 households. Population shrank 21.6% from 436 (2022) to 342 (2024). Median age 62.1 years. (14.5y older than Accomack County; 24.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 5% of the population. Population is 84% White (non-Hispanic) and 13% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.35). 70% of households are family-led. County is gaining 155 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 30% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 59 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 21.6% from 436 (2022) to 342 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~272 (extrapolated at -10.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 194.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,413 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -21.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 436 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 342 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 342 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 194 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 62.1y is 23.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 5% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 62.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 4.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 342 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 16 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 52.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 163.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 111 |
| Population under 18 | 16 |
| Median age | 62.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 342 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.35 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 378 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 52 |
| Asian residents | 6 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 40 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 35.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 79.4% |
| Asian population | 2.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 13.2% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 84.5% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 111 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 223 |
| Share born in this state | 32.5% |
| Share born in another state | 67.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 65.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 9 |
| From Africa | 9 |
Households & Family Composition
170 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 70% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 155 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 22 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 155 |
| Average household size | 2.01 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 3.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 16 |
| Family households | 119 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 70.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 170 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 6.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 155 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 6.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 29,426 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 29,271 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 155 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 21 residents live in group quarters (6.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 21 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-02 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51001 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 001 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Accomack |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 20.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 29.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51001 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Accomack County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,618 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51001 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Accomack County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 86.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 76.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 50.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 32,316 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 7.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 13 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 4.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 342, shrinking, retirement community, affluent, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 342 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Accomack County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade