Willis Wharf: Demographics & People
Willis Wharf is home to 278 people, in 117 households. Population shrank 13.7% from 322 (2022) to 278 (2024). Median age 36.7 years. (15.8y younger than Northampton County; 1.1y younger than Virginia). Children under 18 are 30% of the population. Population is 88% White (non-Hispanic) and 12% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.20). 74% of households are family-led. County is gaining 97 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 26% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 54 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 13.7% from 322 (2022) to 278 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~241 (extrapolated at -6.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 197.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,282 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -13.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 322 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 278 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 278 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 197 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.7y is 2.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 30% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 30.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 278 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 84 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 13.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 167.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 14 |
| Population under 18 | 84 |
| Median age | 36.7 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 278 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.20 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 322 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 41 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 20.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 88.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 12.2% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 87.8% (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 (3)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 133 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 124 |
| Share born in this state | 47.8% |
| Share born in another state | 52.2% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 44.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 22 |
Households & Family Composition
117 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 74% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 69 families, 72% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 128 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 69 |
| Married couples with children | 50 |
| Average household size | 2.64 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 316 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 100 |
| Family households | 86 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 73.5% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 117 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. The surrounding county is gaining 97 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 10,716 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 10,619 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 97 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| 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 | 7 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-02 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51131 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 131 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Northampton |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 29.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 21.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 38.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51131 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Northampton County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 461 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51131 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Northampton County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 80.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 73.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 55.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 11,710 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 30.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 278, shrinking, family-oriented, upper-middle, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 278 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Northampton County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade