Nelson County, Virginia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Nelson County is located in Virginia with a total population of 14,777. It is the 100th most populous county out of 133 in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Nelson County is 51.3 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 10.8% 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 Nelson County is $68,525. This is 25% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 13% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $283,000. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 79.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Nelson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

33.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.7%.