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CITY

Amherst

Virginia · 2,146 residents (2025 est.) · 4.902 sq mi
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The short version

Amherst has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,841. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 386 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $220,700. With a median age of 50.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 50.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,865
−17%since 2000
from 2,251 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
380 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 459 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
50.3
+16%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,146 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8911K2K2K3K1990201020202024Amherst
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,841
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,407
+114%since 2000
from $18,457 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.9%
+29.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.1%
−8.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.424
−11%since 2010
from 0.475 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance12.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services8.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing8.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$220,700
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$718
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 65.0% in 2000
29.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+3%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
65
RELATED:See current rent listings in Amherst on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic68.3%(1,537)
Black29.4%(662)
Hispanic / Latino1%(23)
Asian0.3%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score54.5%(1,227)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.9%(1,528)
Black13.8%(258)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(20)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.2%(59)
Diversity Score38.6%(719)
Diversity Score
39
−29%since 2000
from 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.7%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.2%
+17.6 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+29%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.0%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.7%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.1%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.0%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.8%
−19.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.7%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
Female
53.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.1%
−35.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.7%
+4.5 ptssince 2012
from 13.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.0%
−81.7 ptssince 2013
from 83.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.9%
+27.5 ptssince 2017
from 60.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2016
from 94.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−4.0 ptssince 2016
from 4.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Amherst to nearby cities

AMHERST VS
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Income$60,215−15%
Home value$191,300−13%
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AMHERST VS
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Home value$229,800+4%
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AMHERST VS
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AMHERST VS
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Home value$235,900+7%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Amherst, Virginia?

Amherst, Virginia has about 1,865 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Amherst, Virginia?

The typical household in Amherst, Virginia earns about $70,841 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Amherst, Virginia expensive?

In Amherst, Virginia, the median home is worth about $220,700, and the typical rent is about $718 a month.

How educated are people in Amherst, Virginia?

About 25.7% of adults age 25 and over in Amherst, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Amherst, Virginia?

About 9.1% of people in Amherst, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Amherst, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Amherst, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 805 residents, a change of about 76 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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