CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Nelson County

Virginia · 14,775 residents · 470.745 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Charlottesville metro area
Compare
The short version

Nelson County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $62,203. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $233,400. With a median age of 52.0, 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 52.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,775
+2%since 2000
from 14,445 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 31 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.0
+21%since 2000
from 42.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K13K14K15K15K1990201020202024Nelson County
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,203
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,769 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,364
+73%since 2000
from $22,230 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.9%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade11.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information7%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade5.9%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$233,400
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $94,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$834
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $440 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.8% in 2000
21.3% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+47%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic81.4%(11,765)
Black14.8%(2,136)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(305)
Asian0.2%(32)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.8%(5,313)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic80.4%(11,879)
Black10.3%(1,526)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(663)
Asian0.5%(67)
Other1.2%(172)
Diversity Score37.1%(5,483)
Segregation Score21.3%(3,150)
Diversity Score
37
+1%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.9%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.3%
+16.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.3 min
+24%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
67.9%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.4%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 60.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.3%
−22.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.2%
−79.2 ptssince 2013
from 87.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Nelson County

Clark County
Pop 15,114
De Witt County
Pop 15,118
Fremont County
Pop 14,208
Franklin County
Pop 15,889
Places similar to Nelson County
Head to head

Compare Nelson County to nearby counties

NELSON COUNTY VS
Amherst County
Income$68,724+10%
Home value$212,400−9%
Population31,962+114%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Waynesboro
Income$59,994−4%
Home value$245,500+5%
Population23,951+61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Albemarle County
Income$104,392+68%
Home value$495,400+112%
Population118,356+693%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Buckingham County
Income$60,828−2%
Home value$173,400−26%
Population17,137+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson County, Virginia?

Nelson County, Virginia has about 14,775 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Nelson County, Virginia earns about $62,203 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson County, Virginia expensive?

In Nelson County, Virginia, the median home is worth about $233,400, and the typical rent is about $834 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson County, Virginia?

About 30.9% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson County, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson County, Virginia?

About 11.5% of people in Nelson County, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson County, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson County, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,997 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9503Census Tract 9501.01Census Tract 9502.02Census Tract 9501.02Census Tract 9502.01
12 ZIP codes
ZIP 22920ZIP 22967ZIP 22971ZIP 22958ZIP 22922ZIP 22969ZIP 22949ZIP 22938ZIP 24464ZIP 22976ZIP 22964ZIP 24581
Up the hierarchy
All counties in Virginia
Rankings
Highest income countiesLowest poverty counties

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

How we source and harmonize this data →