Petersburg city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Petersburg city, Virginia has a total population of 33,365, the 34th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $50,741, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 11.4% is notably above the national average.
Petersburg city Quick Facts
How Petersburg city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Petersburg city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Petersburg city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester city | 27,981 | $64,648 | $325,900 | 31.6% | 19.3% |
| Danville city | 42,239 | $42,778 | $110,200 | 18.3% | 25.0% |
| Blacksburg town | 45,288 | $48,070 | $417,200 | 69.7% | 42.8% |
| Staunton city | 25,765 | $62,586 | $239,300 | 35.1% | 12.6% |
| Hopewell city | 22,944 | $48,681 | $165,100 | 12.5% | 23.8% |
Population Overview
Petersburg city is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Petersburg city. The total population is 33,365. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petersburg city is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petersburg city is $50,741. This is 44% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 113% 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 11.4%. This is 165% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $157,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 38.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Petersburg city is Black or African American, making up 74.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.6%) is well below the state average of 59.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (74.6% vs 18.4%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petersburg city, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Petersburg city, Virginia?
Petersburg city, Virginia has a population of 33,365 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petersburg city, VA?
The median household income in Petersburg city is $50,741, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Petersburg city, VA?
The poverty rate in Petersburg city is 21.1%. This means approximately 6,930 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petersburg city, Virginia?
Petersburg city's population is 14.6% White, 74.6% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petersburg city, VA?
The median home value in Petersburg city is $157,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Petersburg city, Virginia?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Petersburg city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.