Rank #12 by Population · Updated April 2026
Virginia Population 2026
The population of Virginia is 8,657,499 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 12th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $90,974, the median home value is $360,700, and the median age is 38.8.
Virginia's population has grown 327.4% since 1910 (2,061,612 → 8,811,195).
8,657,499
Population
219
People / sq mi
$90,974
Median Income
38.8
Median Age
Virginia covers 39,481 sq mi of land at a density of 219.3 people per square mile.
About Virginia
Virginia is defined demographically by education — 41.5% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national average. With 8,657,499 residents, Virginia is a US state. It ranks #12 among US states by population.
Households take in a median $90,974, comfortably above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US states at 6.8%, below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $360,700, with typical rent around $1,514.
College attainment is above the local norm at 41.5%, above the national 35.0%. A solid 16.2% of workers are based at home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Virginia usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Virginia, #12 by population
Virginia Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Virginia had a population of 2,061,612 in 1910 and 8,811,195 in 2024, a 4.3× growth over 114 years. The peak was 8,811,195 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.09%.
8,811,195
Population (2024)
2,061,612
Population (1910)
8,811,195
Peak (2024)
1.09%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,061,612 |
| 1920 | 2,309,187 |
| 1930 | 2,421,851 |
| 1940 | 2,677,773 |
| 1950 | 3,318,680 |
| 1960 | 3,966,949 |
| 1970 | 4,648,494 |
| 1980 | 5,346,818 |
| 1990 | 6,187,358 |
| 2000 | 7,078,515 |
| 2010 | 8,001,024 |
| 2020 | 8,631,393 |
| 2020 | 8,637,615 |
| 2021 | 8,658,910 |
| 2022 | 8,683,414 |
| 2023 | 8,734,685 |
| 2024 | 8,811,195 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.4% · Female: 50.6%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 61.7% |
| Black or African American | 18.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
Economy & Income
$90,974
Median Household Income
$49,217
Per Capita Income
6.8%
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Unemployment Rate
$125,226
Mean Household Income
61.0%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Virginia's overall price level is 101.1 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 1.1% higher the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Virginia's median household income of $90,974 has the buying power of $89,981 in average-priced areas.
101.1
Price Level (US = 100)
$89,981
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$90,974
Nominal Median Income
Education
91.3%
High School Graduate+
41.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
95,630
Live Births (2022)
11.0
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
65.2%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 67.4% |
| Black or African American | 21.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 16.7% |
Housing
$360,700
Median Home Value
$1,514
Median Rent
3,654,784
Total Housing Units
67.2%
Owner-Occupied
32.8%
Renter-Occupied
9.0%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
82.8% of Virginia residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Virginia:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 264,046 | 3.23% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 28,462 | 0.35% |
| 3 | Korean | 27,766 | 0.34% |
| 4 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 24,827 | 0.30% |
| 5 | Arabic | 17,305 | 0.21% |
| 6 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 15,268 | 0.19% |
| 7 | Persian (incl. Farsi, Dari) | 13,156 | 0.16% |
| 8 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 12,623 | 0.15% |
| 9 | Urdu | 10,009 | 0.12% |
| 10 | Other Asian/Pacific | 6,816 | 0.08% |
Commute
2.6%
Drive Alone
2.1%
Carpool
16.2%
Work From Home
27.6 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | 457,066 |
| 2 | Chesapeake | 251,153 |
| 3 | Arlington | 235,463 |
| 4 | Norfolk | 235,037 |
| 5 | Richmond | 227,595 |
| 6 | Newport News | 184,774 |
| 7 | Alexandria | 156,788 |
| 8 | Hampton | 137,334 |
| 9 | Roanoke | 98,677 |
| 10 | Portsmouth | 97,299 |
| 11 | Suffolk | 96,638 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | 79,255 |
| 13 | Dale City | 72,793 |
| 14 | Centreville | 71,885 |
| 15 | Reston | 63,542 |
| 16 | Harrisonburg | 51,492 |
| 17 | McLean | 50,232 |
| 18 | Leesburg | 48,788 |
| 19 | Tuckahoe | 48,610 |
| 20 | Charlottesville | 45,863 |
Counties in Virginia
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax County | 1,144,474 | $150,113 |
| 2 | Prince William County | 484,625 | $128,873 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach city | 457,066 | $90,685 |
| 4 | Loudoun County | 427,082 | $178,707 |
| 5 | Chesterfield County | 371,610 | $98,910 |
| 6 | Henrico County | 334,434 | $86,397 |
| 7 | Chesapeake city | 251,153 | $94,189 |
| 8 | Arlington County | 235,463 | $140,160 |
| 9 | Norfolk city | 235,037 | $64,017 |
| 10 | Richmond city | 227,595 | $62,671 |
| 11 | Newport News city | 184,774 | $66,718 |
| 12 | Stafford County | 160,520 | $133,792 |
| 13 | Alexandria city | 156,788 | $113,638 |
| 14 | Spotsylvania County | 143,876 | $109,576 |
| 15 | Hampton city | 137,334 | $67,758 |
| 16 | Albemarle County | 113,683 | $102,617 |
| 17 | Hanover County | 111,652 | $109,504 |
| 18 | Montgomery County | 99,159 | $70,769 |
| 19 | Roanoke city | 98,677 | $52,671 |
| 20 | Portsmouth city | 97,299 | $58,972 |
Compare Virginia
Rankings for Virginia
Read more about Virginia
A complete guide to Virginia demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Virginia Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Virginia
Congressional districts in Virginia
Largest school districts in Virginia
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Virginia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Virginia has a population of 8,657,499 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 12th-most populous state in the United States.
Virginia is gaining population, with a +327.4% change over the available historical Census record. Virginia's population has grown 327.4% since 1910 (2,061,612 → 8,811,195).
The median household income in Virginia is $90,974, with a per capita income of $49,217. 6.8% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
61.7% of Virginia's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 18.7% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.4% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Virginia is 61.7% White, 18.7% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.4% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Virginia is 38.8 years. The population is 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
Virginia's population has grown 327.4% since 1910 (2,061,612 → 8,811,195).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Virginia's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.