Richmond, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Richmond, Virginia had a total population of 229,359, the 5th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $64,587, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Richmond is the 5th largest city in Virginia with a population of 229,359.
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Richmond Quick Facts
How Richmond 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 | 227,595 | 229,359 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $64,587 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $328,100 | $353,000 | +7.6% |
How Richmond 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Richmond Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Richmond
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 233,596 | $66,109 | $289,900 | 33.5% | 16.5% |
| Newport News | 184,216 | $69,634 | $260,600 | 30.6% | 14.5% |
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | $95,373 | $378,400 | 36.9% | 9.4% |
| Arlington | 236,254 | $142,114 | $895,000 | 77.1% | 7.4% |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | 28.5% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Richmond is a major urban center located in Virginia. The total population is 229,359. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Richmond is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Richmond is $64,587. This is 31% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $353,000. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 43.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Richmond is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.6% vs 18.3%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
45.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 90.2%. Notably, 18.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Richmond, 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 Richmond, Virginia?
Richmond, Virginia has a population of 229,359 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Richmond, VA?
The median household income in Richmond is $64,587, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Richmond, VA?
The poverty rate in Richmond is 18.2%. This means approximately 39,962 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Richmond, Virginia?
Richmond's population is 41.4% White, 40.6% Black, 10.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Richmond, VA?
The median home value in Richmond is $353,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Richmond, Virginia?
45.6% of adults (25+) in Richmond hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.