Nelson County: Demographics & People
About 14,732 people live in Nelson County, in 6,364 households. Median age 51.3 years. (13.5y older than Virginia). Population is 11% Black and 5% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 259 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 89 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 14,732; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 14,732 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 3,219 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 51.3y is 12.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 14,732 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,564 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 2,409.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 5,400.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 4,359 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 17.4% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 16.4% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 36.6% |
| Median age | 51.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 14,732 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 14,732 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 11,975 |
| Black residents | 1,623 |
| Asian residents | 132 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 28 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 234 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 740 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 705 |
| Diversity Index | 32.4% |
| Asian population | 0.9% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 11.0% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.8% (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). 13.5% are foreign-born — near the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 14,732 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 14,044 |
| Residents born in this state | 8,728 |
| Residents born in another state | 5,310 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 1,985 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 444 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 6 |
| Foreign-born residents | 13.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
6,364 households.
| Family households | 3,826 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 6,364 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 259 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,970 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,711 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 259 |
| 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 | 14,696 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 2,106 |
| Pct With Disability | 14.3% |
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 | 103 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 14,504 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 12,959 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 721 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 494 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 306 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 24 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 1,545 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 10.7% |
| Pct White | 81.3% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29