Ashland, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashland, Virginia had a total population of 7,772, the 161st largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $61,164, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ashland Quick Facts
How Ashland 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 | 7,667 | 7,772 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $65,000 | $61,164 | -5.9% |
| Median home value | $272,600 | $293,200 | +7.6% |
How Ashland 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ashland Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Hanover County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanicsville | 38,683 | $98,595 | 5.2% | $351,000 |
| Hanover | 33 | N/A | 63.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ashland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumbarton | 7,997 | $60,169 | $291,300 | 31.0% | 12.1% |
| Sandston | 7,399 | $59,238 | $219,900 | 12.7% | 13.9% |
| Vinton | 8,056 | $65,445 | $190,900 | 18.4% | 10.5% |
| Bedford | 7,724 | $70,288 | $222,500 | 27.9% | 12.2% |
| Franklin | 8,250 | $63,245 | $256,600 | 27.3% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Ashland is a small city located in Virginia, within Hanover County. The total population is 7,772. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashland is 30.6 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashland is $61,164. This is 34% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 146% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $293,200. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ashland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.2%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
38.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 89.6%. Notably, 15.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashland, 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 Ashland, Virginia?
Ashland, Virginia has a population of 7,772 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashland, VA?
The median household income in Ashland is $61,164, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashland, VA?
The poverty rate in Ashland is 24.3%. This means approximately 1,516 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashland, Virginia?
Ashland's population is 64.2% White, 19.2% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashland, VA?
The median home value in Ashland is $293,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Ashland, Virginia?
38.0% of adults (25+) in Ashland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.