Population 12,188 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Northumberland County
Household size in Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.19 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.20 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Northumberland County is a place of small households, averaging 2.21 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.31 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.1 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 54.4 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 56.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 56.0 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Northumberland County skews older: half of its residents are older than 56.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 51.1, mirroring the country. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only two 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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Northumberland County (9.7%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged up 1.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Northumberland County
Renters in Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Northumberland County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 13.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 52.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.7 points, 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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.0% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.6% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 38.6% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.7% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 35.7% of the housing in Northumberland 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.3 points, as it has 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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Northumberland County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $717 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $834 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $875 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $917 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$200 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Northumberland County costs $917 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $200 a month from 2006–10, a 28% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 27.2% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the south; the most affordable are in the north.
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 Northumberland County
Bachelor's degrees in Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.7% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Northumberland County (32.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in Virginia as a whole (42.5%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.5 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.0% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.5% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.3% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Northumberland County have finished high school as nationally: 89.0%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Virginia as a whole (91.6%). The share with a diploma is up 5.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Northumberland County
| Period | Northumberland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.8% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Northumberland County than nationally: unemployment was 3.9%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is up 1.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell. 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).
Northumberland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northumberland County | 2.21 | 56.0 | 9.7% | 13.9% | 35.7% | 1987 | $917 | 32.9% | 89.0% | 3.9% |
| Lancaster County | 1.97 | 57.6 | 7.5% | 18.5% | 21.4% | 1982 | $1,020 | 40.4% | 86.2% | 8.0% |
| Richmond County | 2.38 | 44.1 | 9.2% | 25.3% | 16.4% | 1979 | $1,038 | 16.4% | 81.6% | 2.0% |
| Essex County | 2.35 | 47.9 | 7.8% | 28.3% | 21.8% | 1980 | $1,056 | 16.8% | 84.3% | 3.5% |
| King William County | 2.54 | 40.4 | 11.5% | 11.1% | 5.2% | 1993 | $1,128 | 23.0% | 93.5% | 2.2% |
| Accomack County | 2.26 | 47.4 | 11.1% | 28.6% | 27.6% | 1977 | $1,024 | 21.7% | 84.4% | 3.3% |
| Goochland County | 2.51 | 49.8 | 4.9% | 15.1% | 7.9% | 1998 | $1,483 | 45.6% | 95.4% | 1.6% |
| Louisa County | 2.60 | 44.9 | 10.1% | 17.8% | 14.8% | 1995 | $1,329 | 29.6% | 90.0% | 5.7% |
| Fluvanna County | 2.65 | 44.8 | 7.8% | 11.3% | 11.0% | 1994 | $1,517 | 37.5% | 93.6% | 4.2% |
| 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% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Bath County, VA · Washington County, NE · Washington County, NC · Washington County, KY · Washington County, IL · Wabasha County, MN · Benewah County, ID · Ben Hill County, GA · Beaverhead County, MT · Beaver County, UT
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 Northumberland 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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