Petersburg, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petersburg, Virginia had a total population of 33,537, the 34th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $50,698, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Petersburg Quick Facts
How Petersburg 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 | 33,365 | 33,537 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $50,741 | $50,698 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $157,900 | $189,000 | +19.7% |
How Petersburg 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+)
Petersburg Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Petersburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | 42,214 | $44,423 | $119,100 | 19.6% | 24.6% |
| Winchester | 27,913 | $63,974 | $343,000 | 31.3% | 21.5% |
| Blacksburg | 45,446 | $50,182 | $446,300 | 69.2% | 42.7% |
| Staunton | 25,948 | $65,581 | $259,200 | 37.7% | 12.4% |
| Salem | 25,618 | $66,725 | $258,600 | 33.1% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Petersburg is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 33,537. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petersburg is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petersburg is $50,698. This is 46% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 120% 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 10.1%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $189,000. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 38.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 43% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Petersburg is Black or African American, making up 74.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.4%) is well below the state average of 58.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (74.2% vs 18.3%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
25.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, Virginia?
Petersburg, Virginia has a population of 33,537 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petersburg, VA?
The median household income in Petersburg is $50,698, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petersburg, VA?
The poverty rate in Petersburg is 21.7%. This means approximately 7,198 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petersburg, Virginia?
Petersburg's population is 14.4% White, 74.2% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petersburg, VA?
The median home value in Petersburg is $189,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Petersburg, Virginia?
25.4% of adults (25+) in Petersburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.