Amherst: Demographics & People
Census counts 1,865 people in Amherst, in 865 households. Population shrank 12.2% from 2,124 (2022) to 1,865 (2024). Median age 50.3 years. (6.9y older than Amherst County; 12.5y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 16% of the population. Population is 82% White (non-Hispanic) and 14% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.26). 54% of households are family-led. County is gaining 733 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 46% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 87 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 12.2% from 2,124 (2022) to 1,865 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,644 (extrapolated at -6.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,377.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 31,307 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -12.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 2,124 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,865 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 1,865 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,377 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 50.3y is 11.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 16% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 50.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 15.8% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,865 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 294 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 286.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 711.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 574 |
| Population under 18 | 294 |
| Median age | 50.3 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 1,865 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.26 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 1,777 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 306 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 20 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 26.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 84.5% |
| Black population | 13.8% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.1% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 81.9% (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). 1.9% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 1,369 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 450 |
| Share born in this state | 73.4% |
| Share born in another state | 26.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 21 |
| From Africa | 4 |
Households & Family Composition
865 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 54% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 532 families, 19% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 354 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 532 |
| Married couples with children | 103 |
| Single-parent households | 26 |
| Average household size | 2.14 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 17.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 56 |
| Family households | 468 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 54.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 865 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. 10.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 733 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 28,529 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 27,796 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 733 |
| 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 | 223 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 10.6% |
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. 152 residents live in group quarters (8.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 152 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51009 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 009 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Amherst |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51009 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Amherst County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 794 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51009 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Amherst County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 53.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 47.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 42.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 31,605 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 5 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 5 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 15.8% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,865, shrinking, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,865 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Amherst County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade