Petersburg city: Demographics & People
About 33,537 people live in Petersburg city, in 15,138 households. Median age 35.8 years. (2.0y younger than Virginia). Population is 77% Black and 7% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 827 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 46% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 69 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 33,537; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 33,537 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 33,458 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 35.8y is 3.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 33,537 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 8,002 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 8,288.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 11,613.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 5,634 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 23.9% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 24.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 34.6% |
| Median age | 35.8 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 33,537 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 33,537 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 5,094 |
| Black residents | 25,663 |
| Asian residents | 433 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 22 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 31 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 552 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 1,742 |
| Diversity Index | 38.8% |
| Asian population | 1.3% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 76.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.5% (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). 11.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 33,537 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 32,014 |
| Residents born in this state | 22,571 |
| Residents born in another state | 8,603 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 3,967 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 762 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 840 |
| Foreign-born residents | 11.8% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
15,138 households.
| Family households | 6,499 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 15,138 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 827 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 30,440 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 29,613 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 827 |
| 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 | 32,782 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 6,377 |
| Pct With Disability | 19.4% |
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 | 540 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 33,027 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 25,912 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 1,674 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 3,739 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 1,624 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 78 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 7,115 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 21.5% |
| Pct White | 15.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29