Charlottesville, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charlottesville, Virginia had a total population of 45,437, the 23rd largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $74,824, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Charlottesville Quick Facts
How Charlottesville 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 | 45,863 | 45,437 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $69,829 | $74,824 | +7.2% |
| Median home value | $448,400 | $486,700 | +8.5% |
How Charlottesville 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charlottesville Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Charlottesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | 45,446 | $50,182 | $446,300 | 69.2% | 42.7% |
| Woodbridge | 43,945 | $104,741 | $422,400 | 29.4% | 9.0% |
| Harrisonburg | 51,392 | $62,254 | $299,100 | 37.5% | 25.7% |
| Tuckahoe | 49,183 | $102,264 | $462,800 | 56.6% | 7.4% |
| Manassas | 42,976 | $113,590 | $449,900 | 32.7% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Charlottesville is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 45,437. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charlottesville is 33.1 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charlottesville is $74,824. This is 20% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 99% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $486,700. Housing costs are 27% higher than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 44.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charlottesville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.5%.
Education
62.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% higher 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 93.5%. Notably, 35.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, Virginia?
Charlottesville, Virginia has a population of 45,437 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charlottesville, VA?
The median household income in Charlottesville is $74,824, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charlottesville, VA?
The poverty rate in Charlottesville is 19.7%. This means approximately 8,345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charlottesville, Virginia?
Charlottesville's population is 64.2% White, 15.5% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charlottesville, VA?
The median home value in Charlottesville is $486,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.5x.
How educated is Charlottesville, Virginia?
62.5% of adults (25+) in Charlottesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 35.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.