Amherst County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Amherst County is located in Virginia with a total population of 31,385. It is the 56th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Amherst County is 43.3 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Amherst County is $67,298. This is 26% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $197,200. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $360,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Amherst County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Amherst County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.