Afton: Demographics & People
Afton's population stands at 266 people, in 192 households. Population grew 9.5% from 243 (2022) to 266 (2024). Median age 65.7 years. (14.4y older than Nelson County; 27.9y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 3% of the population. Population is 87% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.14). 40% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,471 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 32% adult obesity, 11% smoke.
- 1.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 60% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 124 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 9.5% from 243 (2022) to 266 (2024) — about 15.8× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~291 (extrapolated at 4.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 328.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 112,395 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 9.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 243 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 266 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 266 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 328 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 65.7y is 26.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 3% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 65.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 3.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 266 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 8 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 119.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 139 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 3.0% |
| Population under 18 | 8 |
| Median age | 65.7 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 266 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.14 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 225 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 18 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 13.7% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 92.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.5% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 87.2% (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 (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 4.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Residents born in this state | 133 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 122 |
| Share born in this state | 50.0% |
| Share born in another state | 50.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 45.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 11,342 |
Households & Family Composition
192 households. Averaging 1.4 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 40% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 66 families, 0% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 66 |
| Average household size | 1.44 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 3.5% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 8 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 8 |
| Family households | 77 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 40.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 192 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. 17.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 2,471 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 17.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 113,960 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 111,489 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,471 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 003 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Albemarle |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 4.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 3.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 5.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Albemarle County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,848 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51003 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Albemarle County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 80.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 33.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 109,330 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 3.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 266, booming, retirement community, upper-middle, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 266 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Albemarle County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade