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CITY · 2010 ACS

Amherst

Virginia · 2,231 residents · 4.902 sq mi
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The short version

Amherst has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $27,756. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $167,200. With a median age of 46.6, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 55% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 46.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,231
−1%since 2000
from 2,251 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
455 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 459 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
46.6
+7%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
8911K2K2K3K1990201020202024Amherst
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,756
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,000 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,142
+4%since 2000
from $18,457 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
15.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade13.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical6.8%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade1.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$167,200
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$402
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.1%
−29.9 ptssince 2000
from 65.0% in 2000
36.4% rent
Vacancy rate
1.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
27.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.0
+98%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic69.2%(1,544)
Black24.5%(546)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(52)
Asian0.6%(14)
Other1.5%(33)
Diversity Score55%(1,226)
Diversity Score
55
+1%since 2000
from 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.1%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
77.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.5 min
+56%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 86.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
14.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
20.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
29.4%
−33.5 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.6%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
Female
54.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.0%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 43.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Amherst to nearby cities

AMHERST VS
Madison Heights
Income$60,215+117%
Home value$191,300+14%
Population10,266+378%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Lynchburg
Income$57,947+109%
Home value$229,800+37%
Population81,347+3691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Forest
Income$81,552+194%
Home value$319,800+91%
Population13,430+526%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Timberlake
Income$75,657+173%
Home value$235,900+41%
Population12,725+493%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Amherst, Virginia?

Amherst, Virginia has about 2,231 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Amherst, Virginia?

The typical household in Amherst, Virginia earns about $27,756 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 $167,200, and the typical rent is about $402 a month.

How educated are people in Amherst, Virginia?

About 15.1% 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 17.2% 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 1,171 residents, a change of about 110 percent over that period.

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

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