Colonial Beach, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Colonial Beach, Virginia had a total population of 3,966, the 221st largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $60,513, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Colonial Beach Quick Facts
How Colonial Beach 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 | 3,930 | 3,966 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $52,119 | $60,513 | +16.1% |
| Median home value | $242,800 | $268,200 | +10.5% |
How Colonial Beach 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Colonial Beach Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Westmoreland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montross | 375 | $71,563 | 8.5% | $248,400 |
Cities Similar to Colonial Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadway | 4,273 | $64,669 | $284,300 | 28.3% | 13.3% |
| Verona | 4,165 | $74,000 | $256,200 | 21.8% | 5.6% |
| Enon | 4,137 | $76,341 | $253,600 | 28.8% | 6.7% |
| Mount Hermon | 4,155 | $81,435 | $211,600 | 32.0% | 6.9% |
| Chincoteague | 3,296 | $62,917 | $349,500 | 38.0% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Colonial Beach is a small community located in Virginia, within Westmoreland County. The total population is 3,966. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Colonial Beach is 46.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.3% 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 Colonial Beach is $60,513. This is 35% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.4%. This is 147% 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 1.3%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $268,200. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 79.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Colonial Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Colonial Beach, 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 Colonial Beach, Virginia?
Colonial Beach, Virginia has a population of 3,966 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Colonial Beach, VA?
The median household income in Colonial Beach is $60,513, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Colonial Beach, VA?
The poverty rate in Colonial Beach is 24.4%. This means approximately 926 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Colonial Beach, Virginia?
Colonial Beach's population is 72.2% White, 19.5% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Colonial Beach, VA?
The median home value in Colonial Beach is $268,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Colonial Beach, Virginia?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Colonial Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.