Charlottesville city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Charlottesville city is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Charlottesville city. The total population is 45,863. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Charlottesville city is 32.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Charlottesville city is $69,829. This is 23% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 128% 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 4.7%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $448,400. Housing costs are 24% higher than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Charlottesville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.8%.

Education

60.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 92.6%. Notably, 33.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Charlottesville city, 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.