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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chester

Virginia · 23,414 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 $73,800. Population has grown 31% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $233,700.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.2
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,414
+31%since 2000
from 17,890 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,779 / sq mi
+31%since 2000
from 1,359 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.2
+9%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K17K20K23K25K1990201020202024Chester
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,800
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,171 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,803
+54%since 2000
from $23,258 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
49.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 37.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$233,700
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $114,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,226
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $621 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.8%
−8.2 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
32.2% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+47%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic55.6%(13,025)
Black24.1%(5,644)
Hispanic / Latino13%(3,035)
Asian2.1%(493)
Other3.8%(901)
Diversity Score75.4%(17,650)
Diversity Score
75
+88%since 2000
from 40 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 27.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 85.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.1 min
+69%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.9%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 86.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.3%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 69.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.3%
−25.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
6.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−76.7 ptssince 2013
from 83.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+17%
Home value$298,500+28%
Population20,749−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Colonial Heights
Income$76,505+4%
Home value$246,600+6%
Population18,738−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Hopewell
Income$54,729−26%
Home value$181,600−22%
Population23,261−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Fort Lee
Income$82,563+12%
Home value$225,000−4%
Population8,993−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Virginia?

Chester, Virginia has about 23,414 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Virginia?

The typical household in Chester, Virginia earns about $73,800 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 $233,700, and the typical rent is about $1,226 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Virginia?

About 34.0% 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 7.4% 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 8,428 residents, a change of about 56 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 →