Population 58,618 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Petersburg
Household size in Petersburg
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Petersburg has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.60 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the center.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.4 | 38.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.8 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.1 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.8 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.6 | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Petersburg is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 37.8, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has edged down from 38.4 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Petersburg is younger than the great majority of Virginia cities.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.8% | 12.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.5% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 11.3% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.8% | 12.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Petersburg: 17.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.0 points, even as the national share fell. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 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
Renters in Petersburg
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.7% | 31.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.5% | 33.8% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.7% | 34.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 33.0% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Petersburg than nationally: 47.0% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 36.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 8.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 10.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.3% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.9% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.9% of the housing in Petersburg, 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. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 have a higher vacancy rate.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1984 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Housing in Petersburg leans a little older: the median home dates to 1975, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1966 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $824 | $1,006 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $927 | $1,097 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,000 | $1,248 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,215 | $1,608 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$390 | +$602 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in Petersburg pays $1,215 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $390 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.9% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the center.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Petersburg
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 33.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 34.4% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 38.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.6% | 41.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.8 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Petersburg than nationally: 27.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 11.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southwest.
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
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.3% | 86.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.6% | 88.1% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.3% | 90.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.7% | 92.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.4 pts | +5.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Petersburg have finished high school as nationally: 88.7%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Richmond area overall (92.3%). The share with a diploma is up 12.4 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 Petersburg
| Period | Petersburg | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.5% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 5.2% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Petersburg: 9.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Virginia city with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. 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).
Petersburg compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | 2.46 | 37.8 | 17.8% | 47.0% | 17.9% | 1975 | $1,215 | 27.6% | 88.7% | 9.9% |
| West Petersburg | 2.44 | 39.3 | 21.8% | 48.0% | 10.6% | 1978 | $1,249 | 16.1% | 87.0% | 2.3% |
| Colonial Heights | 2.54 | 40.2 | 14.9% | 27.3% | 8.1% | 1975 | $1,581 | 31.1% | 92.6% | 4.8% |
| Fort Lee | 2.79 | 20.7 | 26.1% | 90.4% | 27.5% | 1996 | $1,859 | 27.8% | 99.5% | 1.6% |
| Matoaca | 2.52 | 47.6 | 9.9% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 1985 | $1,523 | 24.6% | 92.8% | 3.6% |
| New Bohemia | 2.56 | 42.4 | 14.1% | 10.5% | 7.0% | 1988 | $1,128 | 16.3% | 92.2% | 4.6% |
| Reams | 2.49 | 44.2 | 15.9% | 24.7% | 5.8% | 1987 | $1,062 | 21.2% | 90.2% | 3.1% |
| Sutherland | 2.59 | 44.3 | 8.6% | 12.8% | 11.4% | 1988 | $1,262 | 22.4% | 90.8% | 1.3% |
| Prince George | 2.64 | 34.3 | 18.7% | 25.0% | 4.9% | 1990 | $1,421 | 30.3% | 93.5% | 5.8% |
| Kenwood | 1.77 | 39.9 | 23.4% | 50.1% | 100.0% | 1994 | $1,145 | 2.4% | 75.3% | 23.4% |
| Hopewell | 2.48 | 37.4 | 19.6% | 38.4% | 16.2% | 1974 | $1,248 | 16.8% | 89.5% | 8.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Vineland, NJ · Hempstead, NY · Griffin, GA · Grand Forks, ND · Hoboken, NJ · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Santee, CA · Brentwood, TN · Newport Beach, CA · North Bergen, NJ
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. 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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