Colonial Beach: Demographics & People
Colonial Beach's population stands at 3,966 people, in 1,793 households. Population grew 0.9% from 3,930 (2022) to 3,966 (2024). Median age 46.0 years. (1.7y younger than Westmoreland County; 8.2y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 72% White (non-Hispanic) and 20% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.30). 45% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,040 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 55% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 83 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.9% from 3,930 (2022) to 3,966 (2024) — about 1.5× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~4,002 (extrapolated at 0.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 4,051.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 18,477 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.9% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 3,930 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 3,966 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 3,966 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 4,051 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 46.0y is 7.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 46.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 3,966 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 835 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 741.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 1,430.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 960 |
| Population under 18 | 835 |
| Median age | 46.0 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 3,966 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.30 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 3,057 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 582 |
| Asian residents | 50 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 30 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 30.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 82.2% |
| Asian population | 1.4% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 19.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.0% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 72.2% (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). 1.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 2,164 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 1,681 |
| Share born in this state | 54.6% |
| Share born in another state | 45.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 42.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 81 |
| From Europe | 14 |
| From Africa | 62 |
Households & Family Composition
1,793 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 45% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 748 families, 16% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 788 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 748 |
| Married couples with children | 118 |
| Single-parent households | 40 |
| Average household size | 2.08 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 27.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 35 |
| Family households | 813 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 45.3% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 1,793 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. 10.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,040 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.6% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 18,141 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 17,101 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,040 |
| 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 | 372 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 10.1% |
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. 61 residents live in group quarters (1.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 61 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51193 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 193 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Westmoreland |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 19.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 32.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51193 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Westmoreland County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 525 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51193 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Westmoreland County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 46.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 19.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 18,015 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 3,966, stable, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 3,966 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Westmoreland County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade