Caroline County, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 55th-largest in Virginia
The population of Caroline County, Virginia is 31,541 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 55th-largest county in Virginia. The median household income is $86,267, the median home value is $283,100, and the median age is 39.4.
The population of Caroline County has grown 16.9% since 2010 (28,631 → 33,477), a +1.12% annualized rate.
31,541
Population
+1.12%
Annual growth
60
People / sq mi
$86,267
Median Income
$283,100
Median Home Value
Caroline County covers 527 sq mi of land at 59.8 people per square mile.
About Caroline County, VA
Among US counties, Caroline County stands out first on household income: a median of $86,267, above the US median of $78,538. With 31,541 residents, Caroline County is a county in Virginia.
Median household income is $86,267, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 7.2%, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $283,100, with typical rent around $1,201.
23.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 10.1% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 36 minutes each way.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place Caroline County firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US counties — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
Caroline County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Caroline County had a population of 28,631 in 2010 and 33,477 in 2024, a 16.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 33,477 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.13%.
33,477
Population (2024)
28,631
Population (2010)
33,477
Peak (2024)
1.13%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 28,631 |
| 2011 | 28,672 |
| 2012 | 28,950 |
| 2013 | 29,253 |
| 2014 | 29,747 |
| 2015 | 29,907 |
| 2016 | 30,091 |
| 2017 | 30,441 |
| 2018 | 30,766 |
| 2019 | 30,745 |
| 2020 | 30,929 |
| 2021 | 31,418 |
| 2022 | 31,959 |
| 2023 | 32,705 |
| 2024 | 33,477 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 62.4% |
| Black or African American | 23.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
39.4
Median Age
49.8%
Female
50.2%
Male
16.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.3% · Seniors (65+): 16.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $86,267$-4,707 vs state |
| Mean household income | $101,829 |
| Per-capita income | $38,847 |
| Poverty rate | 7.2%+0.4% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 61.5% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Caroline County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.3%
Drive alone
3.8%
Carpool
74.1%
Public transit
10.1%
Work from home
35.6 min
Avg commute
Housing
$283,100$-77,600 vs state
Median home value
$1,201
Median rent
81.7%
Homeownership rate
12,693
Total housing units
92.0%
Occupied
8.0%
Vacant
18.3%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.4%
With health insurance
94.6%
With broadband internet
30.0%
Foreign-born
12.9%
Veterans (18+)
13.3%
With a disability
93.2%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
89.3%
High School+
23.2%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Virginia
Other counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Caroline County, Virginia has a population of 31,541 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 55th-largest county in Virginia. Population density is 60 people per square mile.
The population of Caroline County has grown 16.9% since 2010 (28,631 → 33,477), a +1.12% annualized rate.
The median household income in Caroline County, Virginia is $86,267, with mean (average) household income of $101,829 and per-capita income of $38,847. 7.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Caroline County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (62.4%), Black or African American (23.9%), Hispanic or Latino (2.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Caroline County, Virginia is 39.4 years. Residents are 49.8% female and 50.2% male.
The median home value in Caroline County is $283,100 and median monthly rent is $1,201. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 12,693 total housing units, 8.0% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Caroline County, Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.9%.
Virginia Beach is among the largest cities associated with Caroline County, Virginia, with a population of 457,066.
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Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.