Amherst, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Amherst, Virginia had a total population of 1,865, the 290th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $70,841, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Amherst Quick Facts
How Amherst Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,124 | 1,865 | -12.2% |
| Median household income | $71,313 | $70,841 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $213,300 | $220,700 | +3.5% |
How Amherst Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Amherst Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Amherst County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Heights | 10,266 | $60,215 | 10.5% | $191,300 |
Cities Similar to Amherst
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 1,920 | $75,769 | $346,600 | 38.5% | 4.7% |
| Prince George | 1,829 | $61,571 | N/A | 29.9% | 19.2% |
| Narrows | 1,935 | $62,708 | $119,400 | 19.8% | 7.1% |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| Central Garage | 1,864 | $87,750 | $294,000 | 22.8% | 12.2% |
Population Overview
Amherst is a small community located in Virginia, within Amherst County. The total population is 1,865. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Amherst is 50.3 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 17.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Amherst is $70,841. This is 24% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Amherst, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $220,700. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 70.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Amherst is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Amherst, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Amherst, Virginia?
Amherst, Virginia has a population of 1,865 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Amherst, VA?
The median household income in Amherst is $70,841, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Amherst, VA?
The poverty rate in Amherst is 9.2%. This means approximately 155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Amherst, Virginia?
Amherst's population is 81.9% White, 13.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Amherst, VA?
The median home value in Amherst is $220,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Amherst, Virginia?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Amherst hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.