Tappahannock, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tappahannock, Virginia had a total population of 1,908, the 289th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $46,816, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Tappahannock Quick Facts
How Tappahannock 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 | 1,865 | 1,908 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $44,896 | $46,816 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $204,200 | $218,800 | +7.1% |
How Tappahannock 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+)
Tappahannock Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Tappahannock
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart | 1,952 | $45,625 | $182,500 | 22.7% | 20.1% |
| Gate City | 1,928 | $42,857 | $163,000 | 29.3% | 16.7% |
| Mount Jackson | 2,000 | $52,297 | $193,000 | 10.8% | 16.3% |
| Camp Barrett | 1,681 | N/A | N/A | 54.8% | N/A |
| Stanley | 2,034 | $54,301 | $211,000 | 9.6% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Tappahannock is a small community located in Virginia, within Essex County. The total population is 1,908. It ranks as the 289th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tappahannock is 44.9 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.7% 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 Tappahannock is $46,816. This is 50% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 154% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Tappahannock, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $218,800. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 31.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 54% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tappahannock is Black or African American, making up 46.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (46.0% vs 18.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tappahannock, 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 Tappahannock, Virginia?
Tappahannock, Virginia has a population of 1,908 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tappahannock, VA?
The median household income in Tappahannock is $46,816, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tappahannock, VA?
The poverty rate in Tappahannock is 25.2%. This means approximately 458 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tappahannock, Virginia?
Tappahannock's population is 42.1% White, 46.0% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tappahannock, VA?
The median home value in Tappahannock is $218,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Tappahannock, Virginia?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Tappahannock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.