Richmond city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Richmond city, Virginia has a total population of 227,595, the 5th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $62,671, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Richmond city is the 5th largest city in Virginia with a population of 227,595.
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Richmond city Quick Facts
How Richmond city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Richmond city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Richmond city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk city | 235,037 | $64,017 | $271,900 | 32.7% | 17.3% |
| Newport News city | 184,774 | $66,718 | $243,300 | 29.1% | 15.1% |
| Chesapeake city | 251,153 | $94,189 | $359,100 | 36.4% | 8.7% |
| Arlington CDP | 235,463 | $140,160 | $864,800 | 77.1% | 7.1% |
| Hampton city | 137,334 | $67,758 | $234,100 | 27.5% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
Richmond city is a major urban center located in Virginia, within Richmond city. The total population is 227,595. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Richmond city is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Richmond city is $62,671. This is 31% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $328,100. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 43.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Richmond city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 41.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.6% vs 18.4%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
44.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 89.3%. Notably, 18.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Richmond 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 Richmond city, Virginia?
Richmond city, Virginia has a population of 227,595 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Richmond city, VA?
The median household income in Richmond city is $62,671, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Richmond city, VA?
The poverty rate in Richmond city is 18.8%. This means approximately 40,994 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Richmond city, Virginia?
Richmond city's population is 41.0% White, 41.6% Black, 10.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Richmond city, VA?
The median home value in Richmond city is $328,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Richmond city, Virginia?
44.1% of adults (25+) in Richmond city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.