Manchester, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Manchester, Virginia had a total population of 12,445, the 109th largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $80,296, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Manchester Quick Facts
How Manchester 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 | 12,347 | 12,445 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $72,465 | $80,296 | +10.8% |
| Median home value | $286,900 | $317,000 | +10.5% |
How Manchester 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+)
Manchester Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Chesterfield County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 24,474 | $95,104 | 8.1% | $327,200 |
| 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 |
| 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 Manchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberlake | 12,725 | $75,657 | $235,900 | 31.6% | 8.5% |
| Stuarts Draft | 11,780 | $79,332 | $294,300 | 22.2% | 7.3% |
| Lakeside | 12,654 | $72,032 | $288,200 | 39.5% | 11.8% |
| Forest | 13,430 | $81,552 | $319,800 | 45.6% | 9.6% |
| Gloucester Point | 11,109 | $74,001 | $320,700 | 23.6% | 7.5% |
Population Overview
Manchester is a small city located in Virginia, within Chesterfield County. The total population is 12,445. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Manchester is 34.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Manchester is $80,296. This is 14% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $317,000. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 59.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Manchester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.0% vs 18.3%). The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
39.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Manchester, 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 Manchester, Virginia?
Manchester, Virginia has a population of 12,445 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Manchester, VA?
The median household income in Manchester is $80,296, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Manchester, VA?
The poverty rate in Manchester is 12.7%. This means approximately 1,577 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Manchester, Virginia?
Manchester's population is 46.3% White, 36.0% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Manchester, VA?
The median home value in Manchester is $317,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Manchester, Virginia?
39.7% of adults (25+) in Manchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.