Charlottesville: Demographics & People
Charlottesville's population stands at 45,437 people, in 19,815 households. Population shrank 0.9% from 45,863 (2022) to 45,437 (2024). Median age 33.1 years. (4.7y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 16% of the population. Population is 64% White (non-Hispanic) and 16% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.49). 45% of households are family-led. County is losing 2,585 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 55% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 43 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.9% from 45,863 (2022) to 45,437 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~45,015 (extrapolated at -0.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 44,456.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 46,553 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 45,863 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 45,437 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 45,437 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 44,456 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 33.1y is 5.8 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 16% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 33.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 16.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 45,437 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 7,480 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 16,655.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 15,184.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 6,118 |
| Population under 18 | 7,480 |
| Median age | 33.1 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 45,437 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.49 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 31,202 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 7,798 |
| Asian residents | 3,224 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 3,103 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 48.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 68.8% |
| Asian population | 7.0% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 15.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 64.2% (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). 1.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 11% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 20,984 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 18,833 |
| Share born in this state | 46.2% |
| Share born in another state | 53.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 41.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 10.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 4,621 |
| From Europe | 695 |
| From Africa | 2,495 |
| From Latin America | 47 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 123 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 67 |
Households & Family Composition
19,815 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 45% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 8,849 families, 32% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 7,419 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 8,849 |
| Married couples with children | 2,789 |
| Single-parent households | 473 |
| Average household size | 2.17 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 321 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 99 |
| Family households | 8,903 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 44.9% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 19,815 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. 25.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 2,585 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 25.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 37,594 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 40,179 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -2,585 |
| 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 | 1,997 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.3% |
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. 3,003 residents live in group quarters (6.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 3,003 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51540 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 540 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Charlottesville City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 10.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 7.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51540 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Charlottesville city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 4,431 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51540 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Charlottesville city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 52.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 14.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 47,266 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 33 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 45 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 16.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 45,437, stable, young professional, middle-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 45,437 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Charlottesville city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade