Population 33,537 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Petersburg City
Household size in Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.57 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.51 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.24 | −0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Petersburg City are small: just 2.33 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. Household size has dropped from 2.57 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.7 | 38.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.0 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.7 | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Petersburg City is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.0, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has dropped from 39.7 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 12.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.4% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 11.3% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.4% | 12.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Petersburg City: 19.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 3.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only six have a higher 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 Petersburg City
Renters in Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.2% | 31.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 55.4% | 33.8% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.2% | 34.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 61.4% | 33.0% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +12.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Petersburg City rent: 61.4% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 12.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Virginia county has a higher share of renters.
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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.4% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.5% | 10.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.3% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Petersburg City: 16.3% of homes are empty, 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 has fallen 6.1 points since 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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1960 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1963 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1967 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1984 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Petersburg City is a place of older homes: half were built before 1970, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1960 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the north 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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $756 | $1,006 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $835 | $1,097 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $957 | $1,248 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,164 | $1,608 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$408 | +$602 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Petersburg City runs $1,164 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $408 a month from 2006–10, a 54% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the east.
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 Petersburg City
Bachelor's degrees in Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 33.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 34.4% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.2% | 38.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.3% | 41.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.5 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a quarter of adults 25 and older in Petersburg City (26.3%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.5 points since 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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.9% | 86.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.4% | 88.1% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.4% | 90.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.3% | 92.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.3 pts | +5.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Petersburg City never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 15.3 points, a much bigger shift than 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 Petersburg City
| Period | Petersburg City | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.5% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.5% | 5.2% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.1% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Petersburg City: 10.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. No other Virginia county has higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.4 points, as it has nationally.
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).
Petersburg City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg City | 2.33 | 37.0 | 19.4% | 61.4% | 16.3% | 1970 | $1,164 | 26.3% | 87.3% | 10.1% |
| Colonial Heights City | 2.43 | 40.7 | 15.2% | 31.9% | 7.9% | 1969 | $1,336 | 28.7% | 91.3% | 3.7% |
| Prince George County | 2.68 | 28.3 | 22.7% | 25.7% | 22.6% | 1994 | $1,650 | 26.9% | 96.0% | 3.5% |
| Hopewell City | 2.52 | 37.2 | 20.3% | 42.1% | 13.0% | 1968 | $1,197 | 13.4% | 89.0% | 8.2% |
| Dinwiddie County | 2.61 | 43.2 | 10.7% | 20.4% | 12.2% | 1986 | $1,215 | 19.7% | 90.4% | 4.5% |
| Charles City County | 2.28 | 52.5 | 7.7% | 13.7% | 10.9% | 1986 | $1,157 | 17.5% | 87.9% | 3.9% |
| Surry County | 2.35 | 52.4 | 9.8% | 20.5% | 16.1% | 1983 | $956 | 26.6% | 91.3% | 4.6% |
| Amelia County | 2.46 | 44.2 | 4.2% | 17.5% | 7.9% | 1992 | $1,152 | 19.3% | 87.7% | 3.7% |
| James City County | 2.56 | 48.3 | 8.8% | 23.3% | 8.4% | 1996 | $1,701 | 50.5% | 95.1% | 2.7% |
| Nottoway County | 2.29 | 43.8 | 11.6% | 33.4% | 19.1% | 1974 | $1,094 | 13.8% | 85.4% | 2.2% |
| Williamsburg City | 2.26 | 33.3 | 8.2% | 46.8% | 14.2% | 1985 | $1,530 | 43.0% | 94.1% | 7.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Jackson County, OH · San German Municipio, PR · Saline County, IL · Salinas Municipio, PR · Salem City, VA · Sagadahoc County, ME · Rio Arriba County, NM · Richmond County, NC · Prince George County, VA · Lassen County, CA
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 Petersburg City. 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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