Population 14,732 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Nelson County
Household size in Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.26 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.13 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Nelson County is a place of small households, averaging 2.40 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has climbed from 2.26 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the northwest.
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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.3 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.1 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.2, Nelson County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 47.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only 12 of Virginia's 133 counties 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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.8 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Nelson County: 5.7% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 4.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only eight 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 Nelson County
Renters in Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.1% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.6% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 20.3% of households in Nelson County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. More than four in ten owners (43.0%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northwest and least common in the south. The renter share has fallen 1.8 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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.5% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 25.6% of the housing in Nelson 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 up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Nelson County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the west.
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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $613 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $702 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $877 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $919 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$306 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Nelson County runs $919 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $306 a month from 2006–10, a 50% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southwest; the highest are in the northwest.
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 Nelson County
Bachelor's degrees in Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.8% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.2% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Nelson County as nationally: 36.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in Virginia overall (42.5%). The share with a degree is up 12.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.8% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.9% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.4% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.6 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Nelson County is close to the national rate: 90.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 12.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Nelson County
| Period | Nelson County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Nelson County has been strong: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 1.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Nelson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County | 2.40 | 49.2 | 5.7% | 20.3% | 25.6% | 1984 | $919 | 36.2% | 90.4% | 3.0% |
| Buena Vista City | 2.37 | 40.2 | 16.1% | 43.5% | 14.9% | 1971 | $1,487 | 23.6% | 88.4% | 3.4% |
| Rockbridge County | 2.32 | 48.1 | 8.6% | 20.7% | 14.7% | 1980 | $940 | 33.6% | 91.3% | 3.5% |
| Lexington City | 2.24 | 39.0 | 8.8% | 46.2% | 25.3% | 1962 | $1,099 | 42.6% | 90.5% | 0.4% |
| Fluvanna County | 2.65 | 44.8 | 7.8% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 1994 | $1,517 | 37.5% | 93.6% | 4.2% |
| Louisa County | 2.60 | 44.9 | 10.1% | 17.8% | 14.8% | 1995 | $1,329 | 29.6% | 90.0% | 5.7% |
| Goochland County | 2.51 | 49.8 | 4.9% | 15.1% | 7.9% | 1998 | $1,483 | 45.6% | 95.4% | 1.6% |
| Alleghany County | 2.30 | 47.8 | 8.0% | 17.7% | 18.6% | 1968 | $749 | 14.4% | 89.8% | 2.1% |
| Covington City | 2.19 | 40.9 | 15.8% | 29.9% | 14.8% | 1951 | $789 | 9.4% | 86.1% | 4.0% |
| Greenbrier County | 2.21 | 46.8 | 9.6% | 26.9% | 17.2% | 1977 | $843 | 22.4% | 87.4% | 4.1% |
| King William County | 2.54 | 40.4 | 11.5% | 11.1% | 5.2% | 1993 | $1,128 | 23.0% | 93.5% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Childress County, TX · Claiborne Parish, LA · Claiborne County, MS · Ciales Municipio, PR · Chowan County, NC · Chouteau County, MT · Choctaw County, OK · Choctaw County, MS · Choctaw County, AL · Yoakum County, TX
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 Nelson 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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