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CITY · 2020 ACS

Amherst

Virginia · 2,110 residents · 4.902 sq mi
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The short version

Amherst has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $59,516. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $180,600. With a median age of 48.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 48.7
US median: 38.8
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,110
−6%since 2000
from 2,251 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
430 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 459 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
48.7
+12%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8911K2K2K3K1990201020202024Amherst
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,516
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,000 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,487
+81%since 2000
from $18,457 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.4%
+28.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.8%
−11.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.8%
US avg: 10%
Information9.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services0.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$180,600
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$590
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 65.0% in 2000
35.2% rent
Afford Score
3.0
Unchangedsince 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.5%(1,425)
Black21.4%(452)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(80)
Asian0.9%(19)
Other0.3%(7)
Diversity Score53.7%(1,133)
Diversity Score
54
−2%since 2000
from 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
28.9%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.9%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+30%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.7%
−10.7 ptssince 2009
from 86.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.6%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.2%
−32.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.1%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
Female
46.9%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.9%
−70.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Amherst to nearby cities

AMHERST VS
Madison Heights
Income$60,215+1%
Home value$191,300+6%
Population10,266+378%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Lynchburg
Income$57,947−3%
Home value$229,800+27%
Population81,347+3691%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Forest
Income$81,552+37%
Home value$319,800+77%
Population13,430+526%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST VS
Timberlake
Income$75,657+27%
Home value$235,900+31%
Population12,725+493%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Amherst, Virginia?

Amherst, Virginia has about 2,110 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Amherst, Virginia?

The typical household in Amherst, Virginia earns about $59,516 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 $180,600, and the typical rent is about $590 a month.

How educated are people in Amherst, Virginia?

About 28.9% 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 6.8% 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 1,050 residents, a change of about 99 percent over that period.

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

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