Population in Virginia

How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.

Topics

Dive into each indicator for Virginia.

8.72 M
Total population
12th in the U.S.
82 /km²
Density
14th in the U.S.
38.8 years
Median age
50.6%
Female
49.4%
Male
3.4 M
Households
75.5%
Urban population
21.4%
Under 18
17.2%
65 and older
77.8 years
Life expectancy
Washington–Arlington (VA share ≈ 3.2 M)
Largest metro
+0.5%/yr
Growth
2020–2024
58.6%
White (non-Hispanic)
18.6%
Black or African American
10.7%
Hispanic or Latino
≈ 930,000
7.6%
Asian
4.0%
Two or more races
0.5%
Native American
7 federally recognized tribes
0.1%
Pacific Islander
≈ 2.4%
Salvadoran origin
Largest Hispanic subgroup
≈ 3.1%
Indian & Vietnamese ancestry
≈ 30%
English, German & Irish ancestry

Historical data

Long-run evolution of the key indicators, so you can see the trend — not just today's snapshot.

Population

18502024
8.72 M 514%

U.S. Census (decennial), 1850–2020 + estimates. Figures before 1870 include West Virginia.

Hispanic or Latino share

19702023
10.7% 1683%

Census race & ethnicity tables.

Black or African American share

19002023
18.6% 48%

Census tables; the Great Migration cut Virginia's share from a third to under a fifth.

Life expectancy at birth

19502023
77.8 16%

CDC / NCHS state life tables.

Data table

Total population8.72 M12th in the U.S.
Density82 /km²14th in the U.S.
Median age38.8 years
Female50.6%
Male49.4%
Households3.4 M
Urban population75.5%
Under 1821.4%
65 and older17.2%
Life expectancy77.8 years
Largest metroWashington–Arlington (VA share ≈ 3.2 M)
Growth+0.5%/yr2020–2024
White (non-Hispanic)58.6%
Black or African American18.6%
Hispanic or Latino10.7%≈ 930,000
Asian7.6%
Two or more races4.0%
Native American0.5%7 federally recognized tribes
Pacific Islander0.1%
Salvadoran origin≈ 2.4%Largest Hispanic subgroup
Indian & Vietnamese ancestry≈ 3.1%
English, German & Irish ancestry≈ 30%

Compared to the United States

Coming soon

Side-by-side comparison of Virginia vs. the U.S. average.

National ranking

Coming soon

The national ranking against every other state will appear here as more states are published.