Charlottesville city, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Charlottesville city is located in Virginia with a total population of 45,863. It is the 38th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

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 places Charlottesville city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. 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.