Amherst County, VA

County

Add Comparison

2023 Population

31,385

0.13% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2023 Median Age

43.3

1.37% 1-year decrease

2023 Poverty Rate

10.8%

4.51% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$67,298

4.41% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$197,200

8.59% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

14,903

0.501% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Amherst County, VA had a population of 31.4k people with a median age of 43.3 and a median household income of $67,298. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Amherst County, VA declined from 31,426 to 31,385, a −0.13% decrease and its median household income grew from $64,454 to $67,298, a 4.41% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Amherst County, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (73.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (17.5%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (2.7%), Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) (1.51%), and Other (Non-Hispanic) (1.11%).

None of the households in Amherst County, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.4% of the residents in Amherst County, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Amherst County, VA are Sweet Briar College (76 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2023, the median property value in Amherst County, VA was $197,200, and the homeownership rate was 78.4%.

Most people in Amherst County, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Amherst County, VA was 2 cars per household.

Amherst County, VA borders Appomattox County, VA, Bedford County, VA, Campbell County, VA, Nelson County, VA, Rockbridge County, VA, and Lynchburg city, VA.

United States Virginia Lynchburg, VA

Population & Diversity

Amherst County, VA is home to a population of 31.4k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2023, 1.65% of Amherst County, VA residents were born outside of the country (519 people).

In 2023, there were 4.22 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (23.2k people) in Amherst County, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 848 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.4%

2023 Citizenship

99.2%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 99.4% of Amherst County, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Amherst County, VA was 99.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Amherst County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Amherst County, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
23.2k ± 157
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.5k ± 192
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
848 ± 193

2.84%

Hispanic Population

890 people

2.84% of the people in Amherst County, VA are hispanic (890 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Amherst County, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
107,827 ± 8,012 people
India
97,961 ± 7,641 people
Mexico
63,695 ± 6,173 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 107,827 Virginia residents, followed by India with 97,961 and Mexico with 63,695.

Foreign-Born Population

1.65%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

519 people

1.83%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

576 people

As of 2023, 1.65% of Amherst County, VA residents (519 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Amherst County, VA was 1.83%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Amherst County, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
717 ± 141
Gulf War (2001-)
383 ± 140
Gulf War (1990s)
250 ± 101

Amherst County, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.87 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Amherst County, VA employs 14.9k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Amherst County, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (2,265 people), Manufacturing (2,053 people), and Retail Trade (1,826 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($91,741), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($71,058), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($68,021).

Employment

Occupations

14.9k

2023 Value

± 864

−0.501%

1 Year decline

± 8.15%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Amherst County, VA declined at a rate of −0.501%, from 15k employees to 14.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Amherst County, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,641 people), Management Occupations (1,492 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,446 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Amherst County, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

14.9k

2023 Value

± 864

−0.501%

1 Year decline

± 8.15%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Amherst County, VA declined at a rate of −0.501%, from 15k employees to 14.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Amherst County, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,265 people), Manufacturing (2,053 people), and Retail Trade (1,826 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Amherst County, VA, though some of these residents may live in Amherst County, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$50,038

Median earning men ± $4,493

$37,829

Median earning women ± $2,413

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Information ($71,635), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,571), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($68,021).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Wholesale Trade ($55,536), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,274), and Manufacturing ($50,735).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

74
Other Services (except Public Administration)
71
Construction
37
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$86.3k
Manufacturing
$34.7k
Retail Trade
$27.6k
Health Care and Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Amherst County, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2023, universities in Amherst County, VA awarded 76 degrees. The student population of Amherst County, VA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 0 male students and 464 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Amherst County, VA are White (55 and 80.9%), followed by Unknown (5 and 7.35%), Hispanic or Latino (3 and 4.41%), and Black or African American (3 and 4.41%).

The largest universities in Amherst County, VA by number of degrees awarded are Sweet Briar College (76 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Amherst County, VA are General Business (11 and 14.5%), Environmental Science (9 and 11.8%), and General Psychology (9 and 11.8%).

The median tuition cost in Amherst County, VA for private four year colleges is $23,730.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Amherst County, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 71.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 464 (0% men and 100% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 464 students enrolled in Amherst County, VA, 0% men and 100% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 315 records, of which 100% were women and 0% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
9 degrees awarded
General Business
11 degrees awarded
Environmental Science
9 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Amherst County, VA was General Biological Sciences with 9 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Amherst County, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Sweet Briar College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

76 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Sweet Briar College with 76 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 0 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Amherst County, VA, which is 0 times less than the 76 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 55 degrees mean that there were 11 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 5 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($23,730) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,380) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Measure

In 2023, 0.988% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.986% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (1.72M), Bachelors Degree (1.5M), and Some college (1.37M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Amherst County, VA was $197,200 in 2023, which is 0.65 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $181,600 to $197,200, a 8.59% increase. The homeownership rate in Amherst County, VA is 78.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65%.

People in Amherst County, VA have an average commute time of 26.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Amherst County, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Amherst County, VA is $67,298. In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Amherst County, VA was Census Tract 103, Amherst County, VA with a value of $79,176, followed by Census Tract 106, Amherst County, VA and Census Tract 104.02, Amherst County, VA, with respective values of $71,899 and $68,210.

In 2024, 10.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Amherst County, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator grew 0.238%.

Housing

Property

$197,200

Median Property Value 2023

±$6,236

$9,959

Median Property Taxes

±$612

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Amherst County, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Amherst County, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

78.4%

Homeownership

2023

65.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 78.4% of the housing units in Amherst County, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 75.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Amherst County, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 103, Amherst County, VA
Census Tract 106, Amherst County, VA
Census Tract 104.02, Amherst County, VA

In 2023, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Amherst County, VA was Census Tract 103, Amherst County, VA with a value of $79,176, followed by Census Tract 106, Amherst County, VA and Census Tract 104.02, Amherst County, VA, with respective values of $71,899 and $68,210.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Amherst County, VA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$67,298

Median Household Income

± $4,455

12.7k

Number of Households

± 757

In 2023, the median household income of the 12.7k households in Amherst County, VA grew to $67,298 from the previous year's value of $64,454.

The following chart displays the households in Amherst County, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Amherst County, VA is from Virginia.

0.472

2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2023, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.599% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (79.1%)
Worked At Home (9.23%)
Carpooled (9.14%)

In 2023, 79.1% of workers in Amherst County, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.23%) and those who carpooled to work (9.14%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Amherst County, VA have a shorter commute time (26.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 3.62% of the workforce in Amherst County, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Amherst County, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Amherst County, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Amherst County, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2024, 10.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Amherst County, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator grew 0.238%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Amherst County, VA (3.29k out of 30.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Amherst County, VA is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2024, 17.2% of the children was living in poverty in Amherst County, VA. From 2014 to 2024, the indicator declined 3.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 133 in Amherst County, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 33.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

93.7% of the population of Amherst County, VA has health coverage, with 48.1% on employee plans, 14.5% on Medicaid, 16.4% on Medicare, 13.6% on non-group plans, and 1.2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Amherst County, VA see 4,468 patients per year on average, which represents a 12.9% increase from the previous year (3,958 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4513 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1974 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

4,468 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Amherst County, VA

Primary care physicians in Amherst County, VA see an average of 4,468 patients per year. This represents a 12.9% increase from the previous year (3,958 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Amherst County, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.9% under 18 years, 18.2% between 18 and 34 years, 38.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.31%

Uninsured

48.1%

Employer Coverage

14.5%

Medicaid

16.4%

Medicare

13.6%

Non-Group

1.2%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Amherst County, VA declined by 18.5% from 7.74% to 6.31%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Amherst County, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2024, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 57.9 in Amherst County, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Amherst County, VA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2024, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36.4% in Amherst County, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Amherst County, VA.