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CITY

Chester

Virginia · 24,474 residents · 13.16 sq mi
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The short version

Chester is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $95,104. Population has grown 37% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $327,200. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.7
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,474
+37%since 2000
from 17,890 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,860 / sq mi
+37%since 2000
from 1,359 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.7
+10%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K17K20K23K25K1990201020202024Chester
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$95,104
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,171 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,686
+79%since 2000
from $23,258 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
61.8%
+24.6 ptssince 2009
from 37.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.380
+8%since 2010
from 0.352 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$327,200
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $114,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,603
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $621 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
28.7% rent
Vacancy rate
4.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.5%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+60%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.6%(14,242)
Black13.2%(2,368)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(547)
Asian2.1%(382)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.1%(7,177)
2024
White, non-Hispanic54.6%(13,356)
Black22.3%(5,459)
Hispanic / Latino16.4%(4,016)
Asian1.5%(365)
Other5.2%(1,278)
Diversity Score77.8%(19,046)
Diversity Score
78
+94%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.8%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 27.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.3%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.8 min
+73%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.4%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% 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
4.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.9%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 69.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.2%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
6.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.2%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
+3.9 ptssince 2012
from 8.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.8%
−76.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.2%
+11.1 ptssince 2017
from 82.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 90.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2016
from 7.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chester

Northdale
Pop 25,710
The Crossings
Pop 22,963
Groveland
Pop 25,526
Hunters Creek
Pop 22,819
Places similar to Chester
Head to head

Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Meadowbrook
Income$86,054−10%
Home value$298,500−9%
Population20,749−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Colonial Heights
Income$76,505−20%
Home value$246,600−25%
Population18,738−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Hopewell
Income$54,729−42%
Home value$181,600−44%
Population23,261−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Fort Lee
Income$82,563−13%
Home value$225,000−31%
Population8,993−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Virginia?

Chester, Virginia has about 24,474 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Virginia?

The typical household in Chester, Virginia earns about $95,104 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Virginia expensive?

In Chester, Virginia, the median home is worth about $327,200, and the typical rent is about $1,603 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Virginia?

About 33.8% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Virginia?

About 8.1% of people in Chester, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,488 residents, a change of about 63 percent over that period.

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

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