Hot Springs: Demographics & People
About 487 people live in Hot Springs, in 236 households. Population shrank 9.8% from 540 (2022) to 487 (2024). Median age 60.3 years. (9.4y older than Bath County; 22.5y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 3% of the population. Population is 86% White (non-Hispanic) and 12% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.33). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 64 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 67 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 9.8% from 540 (2022) to 487 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~440 (extrapolated at -4.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 382.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,209 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -9.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 540 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 487 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 487 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 382 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 60.3y is 21.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 3% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 60.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 2.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 487 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 14 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 24.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 268.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 181 |
| Population under 18 | 14 |
| Median age | 60.3 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 487 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.33 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 452 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 70 |
| Asian residents | 18 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 18 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 32.6% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 81.0% |
| Asian population | 2.1% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 11.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 86.4% (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 | 314 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 173 |
| Share born in this state | 64.5% |
| Share born in another state | 35.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 35.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 16 |
Households & Family Composition
236 households. Averaging 1.9 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 157 families, 8% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 157 |
| Married couples with children | 12 |
| Average household size | 1.95 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 19.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 109 |
| Family households | 151 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 64.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 236 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. 9.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 64 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 9.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 3,919 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 3,855 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 64 |
| 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 | 4 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 0.9% |
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. 39 residents live in group quarters (8.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 39 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51017 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 017 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Bath |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 35.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 21.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 55.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51017 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Bath County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 234 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51017 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Bath County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 44.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 24.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 4,147 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 2.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 487, shrinking, retirement community, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 487 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Bath County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade