Cape Charles town, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Cape Charles town is a small community located in Virginia. The total population is 1,278. It ranks as the 344th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cape Charles town is 55.6 years. This is 43% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. Only 8.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.3% 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 Cape Charles town is $51,250. This is 44% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.0%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $589,000. Housing costs are 63% higher than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 11.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cape Charles town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.9%. The Black or African American population (6.9%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

57.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% higher 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 92.0%. Notably, 29.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cape Charles town, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.