Dendron: Demographics & People
303 people call Dendron home, in 142 households. Population grew 26.8% from 239 (2022) to 303 (2024). Median age 51.1 years. (0.7y older than Surry County; 13.3y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 56% Black and 34% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.49). 64% of households are family-led. County is gaining 70 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.1 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 36% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 71 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 26.8% from 239 (2022) to 303 (2024) — about 44.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~389 (extrapolated at 13.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 527.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 6,561 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 26.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 239 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 303 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 303 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 527 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 51.1y is 12.2 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 51.1 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 20.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 303 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 61 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 53.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 124.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 65 |
| Population under 18 | 61 |
| Median age | 51.1 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 303 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.49 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 72 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 154 |
| Asian residents | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 11 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 48.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 64.7% |
| Black population | 55.8% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 8.9% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 34.3% (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).
| Residents born in this state | 208 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 91 |
| Share born in this state | 68.6% |
| Share born in another state | 31.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 30.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 130 |
Households & Family Composition
142 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 64% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 57 families, 21% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 56 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 57 |
| Married couples with children | 12 |
| Average household size | 2.41 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1 |
| Family households | 91 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 64.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 142 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. 13.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 70 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 6,019 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 5,949 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 70 |
| 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 | 22 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 9.1% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51181 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 181 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Surry |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 16.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 26.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51181 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Surry County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 161 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51181 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Surry County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 56.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 43.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 6,422 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 3.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 20.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 303, booming, retirement community, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 303 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Surry County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade