Chatham: Demographics & People
Census counts 1,448 people in Chatham, in 539 households. Population shrank 5.7% from 1,535 (2022) to 1,448 (2024). Median age 38.7 years. (9.4y younger than Pittsylvania County; 0.9y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 23% of the population. Population is 73% White (non-Hispanic) and 13% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.41). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 392 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 89 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 5.7% from 1,535 (2022) to 1,448 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,367 (extrapolated at -2.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,263.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 60,501 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -5.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,535 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,448 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 1,448 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 1,263 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.7y is 0.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 23% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,448 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 328 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 311.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 455.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 354 |
| Population under 18 | 328 |
| Median age | 38.7 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 1,448 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.41 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 1,146 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 275 |
| Asian residents | 7 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 121 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 41.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 74.0% |
| Black population | 13.1% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.4% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 73.1% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.3% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 804 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 558 |
| Share born in this state | 55.5% |
| Share born in another state | 44.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 38.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 24 |
| From Europe | 7 |
| From Africa | 14 |
Households & Family Composition
539 households. Averaging 2.7 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 320 families, 54% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 429 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 320 |
| Married couples with children | 174 |
| Single-parent households | 15 |
| Average household size | 2.68 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 2 |
| Family households | 327 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 60.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 539 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. 13.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 392 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 52,093 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 51,701 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 392 |
| 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 | 65 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.4% |
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. 145 residents live in group quarters (10.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 145 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51143 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 143 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pittsylvania |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 19.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51143 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pittsylvania County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,533 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51143 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pittsylvania County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 48.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 42.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 31.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 60,354 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 8 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,448, shrinking, family-oriented, middle-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,448 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Pittsylvania County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade