Emporia city: Demographics & People
Emporia city is home to 5,547 people, in 2,157 households. Median age 36.6 years. (1.2y younger than Virginia). Population is 64% Black and 8% Hispanic or Latino. County health: 47% adult obesity, 25% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 85 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 5,547; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 5,547 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 5,766 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 36.6y is 2.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 5,547 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,533 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,182.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,824.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,008 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 27.6% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 21.3% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 32.9% |
| Median age | 36.6 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 5,547 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 5,547 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 1,087 |
| Black residents | 3,569 |
| Asian residents | 32 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 859 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 436 |
| Census Demographics · Not Hispanic | 5,111 |
| Diversity Index | 52.4% |
| Asian population | 0.6% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 64.3% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 14.4% are foreign-born — near the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 5,547 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 5,406 |
| Residents born in this state | 3,773 |
| Residents born in another state | 1,502 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 800 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 54 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 131 |
| Foreign-born residents | 14.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
2,157 households.
| Family households | 1,329 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 2,157 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from.
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 4,888 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 4,930 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -42 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
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.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 5,355 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 1,204 |
| Pct With Disability | 22.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
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. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 197 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 5,508 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 4,842 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 150 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 443 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 64 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 9 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 666 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 12.1% |
| Pct White | 19.6% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29