Chester: Demographics & People
Chester is home to 24,474 people, in 9,375 households. Population grew 4.1% from 23,519 (2022) to 24,474 (2024). Median age 38.7 years. (0.9y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 25% of the population. Population is 55% White (non-Hispanic) and 22% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.57). 71% of households are family-led. County is gaining 6,058 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 12% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 29% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 68 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 4.1% from 23,519 (2022) to 24,474 (2024) — about 6.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~25,477 (extrapolated at 2.0%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 26,855.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 364,548 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 4.1% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 23,519 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 24,474 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 24,474 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 26,855 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.7y is 0.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 25% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 25.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 24,474 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 6,206 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 4,242.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 10,341.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,685 |
| Population under 18 | 6,206 |
| Median age | 38.7 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 24,474 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.57 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 13,219 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 6,619 |
| Asian residents | 513 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,671 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 57.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 57.4% |
| Asian population | 1.5% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 22.3% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 16.4% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 54.6% (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). 2.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 14,547 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 7,651 |
| Share born in this state | 59.4% |
| Share born in another state | 40.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 31.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,749 |
| From Europe | 158 |
| From Africa | 293 |
Households & Family Composition
9,375 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 71% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 6,404 families, 25% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 5,367 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 6,404 |
| Married couples with children | 1,614 |
| Single-parent households | 215 |
| Average household size | 2.56 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 8.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 489 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 181 |
| Family households | 6,646 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 70.9% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 9,375 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. 12.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 6,058 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 12.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 373,051 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 366,993 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 6,058 |
| 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 | 1,315 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.8% |
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. 5 residents live in group quarters (0.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 5 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51041 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 041 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Chesterfield |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 9.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 10.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51041 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Chesterfield County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 10,286 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51041 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Chesterfield County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 66.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 34.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 352,802 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 11 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 14 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 25.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 24,474, growing, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 24,474 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Chesterfield County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade