Sanford: Demographics & People
Census counts 44 people in Sanford, in 29 households. Population grew 340.0% from 10 (2022) to 44 (2024). Median age 71.8 years. (24.2y older than Accomack County; 34.0y older than Virginia). Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). 48% of households are family-led. County is gaining 155 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 1.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 52% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
Population & Trend
Population grew 340.0% from 10 (2022) to 44 (2024) — about 566.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~320 (extrapolated at 170.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,395.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 33,413 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 340.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 10 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 44 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 44 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,395 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 71.8y is 32.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Median age | 71.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 44 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 9.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 35 |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 20.4% |
| Age Summary · Pct 65 Plus | 79.5% |
| Median age | 71.8 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 44 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 10 |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (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 (1)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 32 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 12 |
| Share born in this state | 72.7% |
| Share born in another state | 27.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 27.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 2,476 |
Households & Family Composition
29 households. 48% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%.
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.0% |
|---|---|
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 816 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 270 |
| Family households | 14 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 48.3% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 29 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. The surrounding county is gaining 155 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Lived in same home a year ago | 44.0% |
|---|---|
| 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
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 · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 44, booming, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 44 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Accomack County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade