Population 13,677 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sandston
Household size in Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.44 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Sandston has 2.47 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of the Richmond area. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated 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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.6 | 38.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.2 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.5 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.2 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.6 | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.2, Sandston is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.6, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the southeast.
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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 12.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.7% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 11.3% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 12.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Sandston (15.1%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Sandston has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Virginia cities.
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 Sandston
Renters in Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 31.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 33.8% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.4% | 34.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 33.0% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 23.9% of households in Sandston rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 38.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the east. The renter share has risen 1.6 points since 2006–10, as it has 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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 10.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Sandston: just 5.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 0.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1977 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1984 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Sandston are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in the Richmond area as a whole, where the median home dates to 1984. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, 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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $976 | $1,006 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,013 | $1,097 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,007 | $1,248 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,126 | $1,608 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$151 | +$602 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Sandston costs $1,126 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $151 a month from 2006–10, a 15% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest 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 Sandston
Bachelor's degrees in Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.3% | 33.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.5% | 34.4% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.9% | 38.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 41.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Sandston: 19.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the west.
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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 83.7% | 86.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 83.0% | 88.1% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.2% | 90.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.7% | 92.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.0 pts | +5.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Sandston have finished high school as nationally: 90.7%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Richmond area as a whole (92.3%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.0 points, 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 Sandston
| Period | Sandston | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.2% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Sandston has been strong: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 7.4 points from 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).
Sandston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandston | 2.47 | 44.2 | 15.1% | 23.9% | 5.6% | 1977 | $1,126 | 19.9% | 90.7% | 3.3% |
| Highland Springs | 2.38 | 38.0 | 26.0% | 37.1% | 9.6% | 1971 | $1,315 | 24.4% | 90.1% | 4.8% |
| Montrose Heights | 2.31 | 43.6 | 9.3% | 27.8% | 6.0% | 1994 | $1,570 | 32.1% | 94.4% | 4.3% |
| Montrose | 2.31 | 38.6 | 20.7% | 62.3% | 7.0% | 1975 | $1,347 | 19.1% | 84.8% | 4.6% |
| Quinton | 2.53 | 44.0 | 9.3% | 8.9% | 5.5% | 1993 | $1,479 | 40.6% | 94.8% | 3.5% |
| Varina | 2.10 | 60.7 | 5.5% | 2.4% | 6.2% | 1983 | $1,722 | 38.0% | 91.7% | 0.0% |
| East Highland Park | 2.37 | 41.1 | 15.8% | 35.3% | 4.7% | 1979 | $1,352 | 25.1% | 91.0% | 7.1% |
| Henrico | 2.35 | 49.7 | 13.0% | 16.8% | 6.6% | 2003 | $1,334 | 32.5% | 94.4% | 0.4% |
| Mechanicsville | 2.65 | 43.4 | 8.4% | 16.5% | 4.1% | 1991 | $1,988 | 43.0% | 95.1% | 2.4% |
| Tunstall | 2.67 | 48.1 | 6.6% | 7.5% | 4.4% | 1991 | $1,330 | 31.5% | 93.7% | 3.0% |
| Bensley | 2.72 | 30.0 | 31.0% | 59.1% | 6.4% | 1969 | $1,249 | 16.0% | 73.7% | 5.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Leeds, AL · Salem, IN · Sabana Hoyos, PR · Ruther Glen, VA · Russellville, KY · Roy, WA · Rosaryville, MD · Magnolia, AR · Macclenny, FL · Los Alamos, NM
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 Sandston. 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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