Population 8,540 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Mathews County
Household size in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.37 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.31 | 2.66 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.19 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Mathews County are small: just 2.14 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.37, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Virginia county has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.2 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 52.0 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.3 | 38.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 54.0 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.8 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Mathews County skews older: half of its residents are older than 54.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 49.2 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only three are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 13.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 12.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −7.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Mathews County: 4.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 7.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only three have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Mathews County
Renters in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 35.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 37.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.0% | 38.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.0% | 36.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Mathews County is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 49.0% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.5% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.4% | 9.7% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.6% | 9.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.2% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 24.2% of the housing in Mathews County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 6.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Mathews County was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the southeast.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $815 | $1,107 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $916 | $1,232 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $981 | $1,358 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $999 | $1,647 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$184 | +$540 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Mathews County runs $999 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $184 a month from 2006–10, a 23% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 23.0% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Mathews County
Bachelor's degrees in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.4% | 27.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.8% | 28.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.9% | 32.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.6% | 35.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Mathews County than nationally: 28.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.4% | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.9% | 90.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.4% | 91.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.7% | 92.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Mathews County is close to the national rate: 90.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the wider Virginia Beach area (92.8%). The share with a diploma has risen 6.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Mathews County
| Period | Mathews County | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 6.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.6% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.6% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Mathews County than nationally: unemployment was 4.6%, against 5.4%. The picture is much the same across the Virginia Beach area. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Mathews County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathews County | 2.14 | 54.0 | 4.5% | 16.0% | 24.2% | 1978 | $999 | 28.6% | 90.7% | 4.6% |
| Gloucester County | 2.62 | 45.0 | 7.2% | 19.6% | 11.7% | 1988 | $1,197 | 24.8% | 92.1% | 2.9% |
| Northampton County | 2.18 | 49.1 | 11.7% | 33.9% | 25.8% | 1981 | $863 | 30.4% | 87.7% | 3.7% |
| New Kent County | 2.66 | 42.6 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 5.9% | 1995 | $1,569 | 38.6% | 94.5% | 2.1% |
| Charles City County | 2.28 | 52.5 | 7.7% | 13.7% | 10.9% | 1986 | $1,157 | 17.5% | 87.9% | 3.9% |
| Richmond City | 2.20 | 35.6 | 14.7% | 56.5% | 9.6% | 1961 | $1,376 | 45.4% | 89.0% | 6.4% |
| Chesterfield County | 2.73 | 39.9 | 11.4% | 23.3% | 6.1% | 1992 | $1,842 | 44.0% | 92.7% | 4.5% |
| Powhatan County | 2.73 | 45.7 | 6.8% | 6.8% | 8.2% | 1997 | $1,113 | 35.1% | 92.1% | 3.6% |
| Amelia County | 2.46 | 44.2 | 4.2% | 17.5% | 7.9% | 1992 | $1,152 | 19.3% | 87.7% | 3.7% |
| Cumberland County | 2.44 | 47.0 | 13.9% | 24.1% | 15.2% | 1985 | $1,030 | 21.6% | 86.0% | 3.1% |
| Buckingham County | 2.37 | 43.3 | 12.9% | 22.7% | 14.5% | 1990 | $1,003 | 15.1% | 85.7% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Mercer County, ND · Mitchell County, NC · Missaukee County, MI · Miner County, SD · Mills County, TX · Mills County, IA · Miller County, GA · Millard County, UT · Middlesex County, VA · Metcalfe County, KY
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Mathews County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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