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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Amherst County

Virginia · 31,307 residents · 473.962 sq mi
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The short version

Amherst County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,368. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $159,900. With a median age of 44.8, 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 44.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% 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
31,307
−2%since 2000
from 31,894 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
66 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 67 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.8
+18%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
28K29K30K32K33K1990201020202024Amherst County
202431K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,368
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,393 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,866
+70%since 2000
from $16,952 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.9%
US avg: 10%
Information9.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$159,900
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$700
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $427 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 78.1% in 2000
24.4% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+19%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Amherst County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(24,645)
Black19.6%(6,267)
Hispanic / Latino1%(306)
Asian0.3%(108)
Other0%
Diversity Score42.6%(13,592)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic73.4%(22,967)
Black17.1%(5,346)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(838)
Asian0.6%(182)
Other4%(1,265)
Diversity Score50.4%(15,793)
Segregation Score22.8%(7,145)
Diversity Score
50
+18%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.6%
+16.0 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.0 min
+90%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 7.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.9%
−28.0 ptssince 2009
from 59.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
51.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.7%
−78.4 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Amherst County

Bureau County
Pop 32,510
White County
Pop 29,802
Haralson County
Pop 33,066
Lawrence County
Pop 33,843
Places similar to Amherst County
Head to head

Compare Amherst County to nearby counties

AMHERST COUNTY VS
Buena Vista
Income$57,833+1%
Home value$156,200−2%
Population6,672−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST COUNTY VS
Lynchburg
Income$57,947+1%
Home value$229,800+44%
Population81,347+155%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST COUNTY VS
Nelson County
Income$72,589+27%
Home value$321,700+101%
Population14,920−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
AMHERST COUNTY VS
Lexington
Income$84,517+47%
Home value$275,200+72%
Population7,769−76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Amherst County, Virginia?

Amherst County, Virginia has about 31,307 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Amherst County, Virginia?

The typical household in Amherst County, Virginia earns about $57,368 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Amherst County, Virginia expensive?

In Amherst County, Virginia, the median home is worth about $159,900, and the typical rent is about $700 a month.

How educated are people in Amherst County, Virginia?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Amherst County, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Amherst County, Virginia?

About 10.9% of people in Amherst County, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Amherst County, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Amherst County, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,729 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

10 census tracts
Census Tract 101Census Tract 102.01Census Tract 105.04Census Tract 103Census Tract 104.01Census Tract 104.02Census Tract 102.02Census Tract 106Census Tract 105.06Census Tract 105.05
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 24572ZIP 24521ZIP 24574ZIP 24595
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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