Chester, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Virginia had a total population of 24,474, the 49th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $95,104, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 23,519 | 24,474 | +4.1% |
| Median household income | $88,455 | $95,104 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $290,600 | $327,200 | +12.6% |
How Chester 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+)
Chester Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Chesterfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadowbrook | 20,749 | $86,054 | 12.4% | $298,500 |
| Midlothian | 19,120 | $110,084 | 3.2% | $408,500 |
| Bon Air | 16,904 | $101,879 | 6.7% | $365,200 |
| Brandermill | 13,730 | $107,396 | 7.8% | $376,000 |
| Manchester | 12,445 | $80,296 | 12.7% | $317,000 |
| Rockwood | 10,010 | $97,992 | 4.7% | $354,400 |
| Bellwood | 7,907 | $47,781 | 21.0% | $225,300 |
| Woodlake | 7,358 | $139,344 | 2.5% | $406,800 |
| Bensley | 5,949 | $50,547 | 22.0% | $218,500 |
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | 12.9% | $211,200 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey's Crossroads | 24,271 | $88,483 | $416,600 | 45.3% | 22.5% |
| Cave Spring | 25,742 | $87,539 | $325,800 | 48.8% | 5.9% |
| Woodlawn (Fairfax County) | 21,194 | $91,884 | $367,200 | 32.8% | 10.6% |
| Culpeper | 20,794 | $94,721 | $390,000 | 30.7% | 12.8% |
| Christiansburg | 22,720 | $77,147 | $252,600 | 44.7% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small city located in Virginia, within Chesterfield County. The total population is 24,474. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $95,104. This is 2% higher than the state median of $93,170. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $327,200. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 71.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.3%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
33.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, Virginia?
Chester, Virginia has a population of 24,474 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, VA?
The median household income in Chester is $95,104, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, VA?
The poverty rate in Chester is 8.1%. This means approximately 1,955 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Virginia?
Chester's population is 54.6% White, 22.3% Black, 16.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, VA?
The median home value in Chester is $327,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Chester, Virginia?
33.8% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.