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CITY · 2020 ACS

Petersburg

Virginia · 33,458 residents · 22.72 sq mi
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The short version

Petersburg has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,029. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $111,800. The poverty rate of 22.6% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 44% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% 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
33,458
−1%since 2000
from 33,740 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,473 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,485 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.6
+7%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
31K33K35K37K39K1990201020202024Petersburg
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,029
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,851 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,789
+55%since 2000
from $15,989 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.5%
US avg: 10%
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$111,800
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$958
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $495 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
36.1%
−15.4 ptssince 2000
from 51.5% in 2000
63.9% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+10%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Petersburg on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic18.2%(6,131)
Black78.6%(26,511)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(463)
Asian0.7%(234)
Other0%
Diversity Score41.7%(14,070)
2020
White, non-Hispanic15.5%(5,178)
Black73.3%(24,530)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(1,970)
Asian1%(330)
Other2.9%(955)
Diversity Score52.1%(17,441)
Diversity Score
52
+25%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.3%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+66%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.5%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 76.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
17.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 14.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.8%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 62.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Female
54.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.3%
−66.9 ptssince 2013
from 79.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Petersburg

Dania Beach
Pop 32,791
Lauderdale Lakes
Pop 36,898
Egypt Lake-Leto
Pop 35,873
Biscayne Gardens
Pop 35,472
Places similar to Petersburg
Head to head

Compare Petersburg to nearby cities

PETERSBURG VS
Fort Lee
Income$82,563+92%
Home value$225,000+101%
Population8,993−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETERSBURG VS
Colonial Heights
Income$76,505+78%
Home value$246,600+121%
Population18,738−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETERSBURG VS
Hopewell
Income$54,729+27%
Home value$181,600+62%
Population23,261−31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETERSBURG VS
Chester
Income$95,104+121%
Home value$327,200+193%
Population24,474−27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Petersburg, Virginia?

Petersburg, Virginia has about 33,458 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Petersburg, Virginia?

The typical household in Petersburg, Virginia earns about $43,029 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Petersburg, Virginia expensive?

In Petersburg, Virginia, the median home is worth about $111,800, and the typical rent is about $958 a month.

How educated are people in Petersburg, Virginia?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Petersburg, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Petersburg, Virginia?

About 22.6% of people in Petersburg, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Petersburg, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Petersburg, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,928 residents, a change of about -13 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 →