Covington: Demographics & People
Census counts 5,680 people in Covington, in 2,576 households. Population grew 0.2% from 5,671 (2022) to 5,680 (2024). Median age 38.0 years. Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 79% White (non-Hispanic) and 13% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.30). 55% of households are family-led. County is losing 103 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 45% 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 0.2% from 5,671 (2022) to 5,680 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~5,689 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,737 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 5,671 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 5,680 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 5,680 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 5,701 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.0y is 0.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.0 years (at Virginia median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 5,680 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,309 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,142.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 2,104.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,125 |
| Population under 18 | 1,309 |
| Median age | 38.0 years (at Virginia median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 5,680 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.30 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 4,539 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 700 |
| Asian residents | 67 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 184 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 29.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.7% |
| Asian population | 1.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 12.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.6% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 79.1% (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). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 4,309 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,118 |
| Share born in this state | 75.9% |
| Share born in another state | 24.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 19.7% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 52 |
| From Africa | 52 |
Households & Family Composition
2,576 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 55% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,479 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,291 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,479 |
| Married couples with children | 252 |
| Single-parent households | 161 |
| Average household size | 2.24 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 41 |
| Family households | 1,423 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 55.2% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 2,576 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. 5.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 103 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 5.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 5,083 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 5,186 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -103 |
| 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 | 359 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.4% |
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. 81 residents live in group quarters (1.4% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 81 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51580 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 580 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Covington City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 17.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 27.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51580 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Covington city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 182 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51580 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Covington city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 41.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 34.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 1.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 5,538 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.60 |
| Family Score · Schools | 8 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 5,680, stable, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 5,680 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Covington city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade