Mathews County: Demographics & People
Mathews County's population stands at 8,540 people, in 3,987 households. Median age 55.0 years. (17.2y older than Virginia). Population is 10% Black and 3% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 87 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 91 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 8,540; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 8,540 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 1,103 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 55.0y is 16.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 8,540 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,229 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,282.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 3,184.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,845 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 14.4% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 15.0% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 37.3% |
| Median age | 55.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 8,540 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 8,540 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 7,326 |
| Black residents | 825 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 7 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 6 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 120 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 256 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 228 |
| Diversity Index | 25.4% |
| Black population | 9.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.7% (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). 12.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 8,540 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 8,400 |
| Residents born in this state | 5,600 |
| Residents born in another state | 2,735 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 1,069 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 236 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 65 |
| Foreign-born residents | 12.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
3,987 households.
| Family households | 2,301 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 3,987 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. The surrounding county is gaining 87 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 8,097 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 8,010 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 87 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| 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 | 8,470 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 1,832 |
| Pct With Disability | 21.6% |
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 | 126 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 8,506 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 7,849 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 164 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 483 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 10 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 657 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 7.7% |
| Pct White | 85.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29