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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chester

Virginia · 20,987 residents · 13.16 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $57,368. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $217,200.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.1
US median: 37.2
Average education
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,987
+17%since 2000
from 17,890 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,595 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,359 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.1
+5%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K17K20K23K25K1990201020202024Chester
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,368
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,171 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,749
+11%since 2000
from $23,258 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
35.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 37.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
8.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.352
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade8.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services2.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$217,200
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $114,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$953
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $621 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
54.3%
−21.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
27.5% rent
Vacancy rate
5.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
27.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.8
+76%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic67.6%(14,182)
Black19.1%(4,010)
Hispanic / Latino8.4%(1,761)
Asian2.2%(465)
Other1.8%(387)
Diversity Score61.3%(12,859)
Diversity Score
61
+53%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 27.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+34%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
39.9%
−25.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.4%
−33.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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+50%
Home value$298,500+37%
Population20,749−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Colonial Heights
Income$76,505+33%
Home value$246,600+14%
Population18,738−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Hopewell
Income$54,729−5%
Home value$181,600−16%
Population23,261−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Fort Lee
Income$82,563+44%
Home value$225,000+4%
Population8,993−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Virginia?

Chester, Virginia has about 20,987 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Virginia?

The typical household in Chester, Virginia earns about $57,368 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 $217,200, and the typical rent is about $953 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Virginia?

About 26.1% 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 8.3% 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 6,001 residents, a change of about 40 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →