Nickelsville: Demographics & People
368 people call Nickelsville home, in 168 households. Population shrank 7.3% from 397 (2022) to 368 (2024). Median age 54.7 years. (7.0y older than Scott County; 16.9y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 14% of the population. Population is 92% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.12). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 719 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 20% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 83 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 7.3% from 397 (2022) to 368 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~341 (extrapolated at -3.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 308.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 21,576 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -7.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 397 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 368 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 368 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 308 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 54.7y is 15.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 14% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 54.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 14.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 368 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 53 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 58.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 143.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 114 |
| Population under 18 | 53 |
| Median age | 54.7 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 368 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.12 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 390 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 28 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 12.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 93.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.2% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 92.1% (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 (6)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 169 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 193 |
| Share born in this state | 45.9% |
| Share born in another state | 54.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 52.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 3 |
Households & Family Composition
168 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 118 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 66 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 118 |
| Married couples with children | 20 |
| Average household size | 2.16 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 9.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 348 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 147 |
| Family households | 108 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 64.3% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 168 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. 4.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 719 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 4.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 16,778 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 16,059 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 719 |
| 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 | 79 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 21.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51169 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 169 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Scott |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 23.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 18.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 29.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51169 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Scott County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 728 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51169 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Scott County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 68.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 32.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 21,566 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 14.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 368, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, service economy |
| Town Summary · Population | 368 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Scott County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade