Amherst County: Demographics & People
Amherst County is home to 31,485 people, in 12,694 households. Median age 43.4 years. (5.6y older than Virginia). Population is 17% Black and 3% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 733 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 72 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 31,485; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 31,485 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 13,003 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 43.4y is 4.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 31,485 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 6,296 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 6,271.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 12,059.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 6,859 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 20.0% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 19.9% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 38.3% |
| Median age | 43.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 31,485 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 31,485 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 23,348 |
| Black residents | 5,358 |
| Asian residents | 217 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 67 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 18 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 504 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 1,973 |
| Diversity Index | 41.7% |
| Asian population | 0.7% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 17.0% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 10.2% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 31,485 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 30,937 |
| Residents born in this state | 23,028 |
| Residents born in another state | 7,730 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 3,208 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 644 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 179 |
| Foreign-born residents | 10.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
12,694 households.
| Family households | 8,032 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 12,694 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 733 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| 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 2022-2023
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.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 31,062 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 5,044 |
| Pct With Disability | 16.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
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. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 1,030 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 31,277 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 28,474 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 917 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 1,363 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 453 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 70 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 2,803 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 9.0% |
| Pct White | 74.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29