Free Union: Demographics & People
Census counts 124 people in Free Union, in 73 households. Population shrank 33.0% from 185 (2022) to 124 (2024). Median age 62.5 years. (22.8y older than Albemarle County; 24.7y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 13% of the population. Population is 65% White (non-Hispanic) and 35% Asian. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 44% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,471 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 1.7 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 56% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 82 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 33.0% from 185 (2022) to 124 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~86 (extrapolated at -16.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 48.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 112,395 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -33.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 185 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 124 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 124 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 48 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 62.5y is 23.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 13% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 62.5 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 12.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 124 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 16 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 68.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 40 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 12.9% |
| Population under 18 | 16 |
| Median age | 62.5 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 124 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 185 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| Asian population | 34.7% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 65.3% (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 (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in another state | 56 |
|---|---|
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 45.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 54.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 48 |
| From Europe | 48 |
Households & Family Composition
73 households. Averaging 1.8 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 44% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 49 families, 61% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 29 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 49 |
| Married couples with children | 30 |
| Average household size | 1.76 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 690 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 344 |
| Family households | 32 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 43.8% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 73 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 2,471 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 113,960 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 111,489 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,471 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 48 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 25.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-05 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 003 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Albemarle |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 4.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 3.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 5.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Albemarle County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,848 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Albemarle County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 80.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 33.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 109,330 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 9 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 12.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 124, shrinking, retirement community, very low crime, heritage: Irish/Polish |
| Town Summary · Population | 124 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Albemarle County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade