Colonial Heights: Demographics & People
Census counts 18,352 people in Colonial Heights, in 7,530 households. Population grew 0.8% from 18,210 (2022) to 18,352 (2024). Median age 38.2 years. Children under 18 are 25% of the population. Population is 65% White (non-Hispanic) and 19% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.46). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 417 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 75 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.8% from 18,210 (2022) to 18,352 (2024) — about 1.3× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~18,495 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 18,687.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 18,170 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 18,210 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 18,352 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 18,352 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 18,687 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.2y is 0.7 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 | 38.2 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 24.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 18,352 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 4,508 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 3,841.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 6,639.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,364 |
| Population under 18 | 4,508 |
| Median age | 38.2 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 18,352 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.46 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 12,634 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 3,285 |
| Asian residents | 625 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,392 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 46.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 70.4% |
| Asian population | 3.7% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 18.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 8.3% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 65.2% (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). 3.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 11,111 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 5,394 |
| Share born in this state | 60.5% |
| Share born in another state | 39.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 29.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,028 |
| From Europe | 248 |
| From Africa | 486 |
| From Latin America | 64 |
Households & Family Composition
7,530 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 5,001 families, 25% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 4,397 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 5,001 |
| Married couples with children | 1,236 |
| Single-parent households | 111 |
| Average household size | 2.39 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 468 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 67 |
| Family households | 4,783 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 63.5% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 7,530 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. 12.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 417 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 12.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 18,080 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 17,663 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 417 |
| 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 | 1,424 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.0% |
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. 188 residents live in group quarters (1.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 188 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51570 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 570 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Colonial Heights City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 23.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 18.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 30.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51570 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Colonial Heights city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 747 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51570 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Colonial Heights city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 41.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 36.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 1.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 17,370 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.70 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 24.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 18,352, stable, family-oriented, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 18,352 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Colonial Heights city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade