Mathews, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mathews, Virginia had a total population of 941, the 393rd largest community in Virginia, with a median household income of $55,481, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Mathews Quick Facts
How Mathews 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 | 1,145 | 941 | -17.8% |
| Median household income | $53,108 | $55,481 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $178,600 | $193,400 | +8.3% |
How Mathews 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mathews Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mathews County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwynn | 514 | $84,375 | 0.0% | $421,400 |
Cities Similar to Mathews
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrington | 915 | N/A | $220,600 | 41.0% | 20.8% |
| Motley | 987 | $55,529 | $146,900 | 11.2% | 12.8% |
| Belview | 990 | $55,288 | N/A | 10.5% | 48.8% |
| Remington | 989 | $56,500 | $324,200 | 23.4% | 14.5% |
| Pembroke | 996 | $57,500 | $138,000 | 18.8% | 9.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 941, Mathews's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Mathews is a small community located in Virginia, within Mathews County. The total population is 941. It ranks as the 393rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mathews is 35.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.2% 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 Mathews is $55,481. This is 40% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 13.9%. This is 225% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $193,400. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 63.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mathews has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.2% vs 58.4%). The Black or African American population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mathews, 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.
Free data download: Get all Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Mathews, Virginia?
Mathews, Virginia has a population of 941 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mathews, VA?
The median household income in Mathews is $55,481, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mathews, VA?
The poverty rate in Mathews is 16.1%. This means approximately 141 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mathews, Virginia?
Mathews's population is 91.2% White, 6.5% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mathews, VA?
The median home value in Mathews is $193,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Mathews, Virginia?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Mathews hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.