Wakefield, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wakefield, Virginia had a total population of 1,201, the 359th largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $62,386, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Wakefield Quick Facts
How Wakefield 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 | 1,082 | 1,201 | +11.0% |
| Median household income | $56,250 | $62,386 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $155,600 | $187,800 | +20.7% |
How Wakefield 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+)
Wakefield Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 2,324 | $50,156 | 7.8% | $145,700 |
| Stony Creek | 341 | $64,811 | 24.6% | $154,800 |
| Sussex | 66 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wakefield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goochland | 1,182 | N/A | $485,700 | 51.4% | 3.4% |
| Boswell's Corner | 1,239 | N/A | N/A | 17.8% | 3.9% |
| Bracey | 1,242 | $64,605 | $238,300 | 32.3% | 3.1% |
| Cape Charles | 1,201 | $73,750 | $640,600 | 59.6% | 13.2% |
| Rio | 1,252 | $56,250 | N/A | 31.2% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
Wakefield is a small community located in Virginia, within Sussex County. The total population is 1,201. It ranks as the 359th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wakefield is 30.6 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.2% 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 Wakefield is $62,386. This is 33% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $187,800. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wakefield is Black or African American, making up 53.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 44.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.7% vs 18.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, Virginia?
Wakefield, Virginia has a population of 1,201 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wakefield, VA?
The median household income in Wakefield is $62,386, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wakefield, VA?
The poverty rate in Wakefield is 7.8%. This means approximately 93 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wakefield, Virginia?
Wakefield's population is 44.5% White, 53.7% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wakefield, VA?
The median home value in Wakefield is $187,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Wakefield, Virginia?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Wakefield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.