Population 10,765 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sussex County
Household size in Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.85 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.02 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.36 | 2.63 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.37 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.48 | −0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Sussex County is a place of small households, averaging 2.37 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.85, 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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.3 | 38.2 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.7 | 39.0 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.2 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.8 | 39.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Sussex County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 41.8, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 41.3, a smaller shift than nationally. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 12.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.4% | 11.3% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 12.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Sussex County: 14.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Sussex County has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Virginia counties.
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 Sussex County
Renters in Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.0% | 31.5% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 34.9% | 33.8% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.8% | 34.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 30.3% | 33.0% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Sussex County rent their homes (30.3%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 49.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.7 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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.7% | 9.7% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.7% | 10.1% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.8% | 8.1% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 19.9% of the housing in Sussex 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. Sussex County has a higher vacancy rate than at least four in five Virginia counties.
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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1983 | 1984 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Sussex County was built around 1983, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $784 | $1,006 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $783 | $1,097 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $865 | $1,248 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $913 | $1,608 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$129 | +$602 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Sussex County costs $913 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $129 a month from 2006–10, a 17% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 38.6% 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 Sussex County
Bachelor's degrees in Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 33.0% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 34.4% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.2% | 38.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.6% | 41.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +8.0 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Sussex County: 16.6% 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 4.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the north.
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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 69.2% | 86.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 70.9% | 88.1% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.9% | 90.0% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 83.9% | 92.3% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.7 pts | +5.8 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Sussex County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 83.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 14.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Sussex County has a lower share of high school graduates than at least four in five Virginia counties.
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 Sussex County
| Period | Sussex County | Richmond area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 7.1% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 5.2% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Sussex County runs below the national rate: 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 7.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Sussex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County | 2.37 | 41.8 | 14.7% | 30.3% | 19.9% | 1983 | $913 | 16.6% | 83.9% | 3.9% |
| Isle of Wight County | 2.55 | 44.0 | 7.3% | 19.9% | 8.1% | 1994 | $1,339 | 31.3% | 92.0% | 4.1% |
| Newport News City | 2.43 | 36.2 | 15.1% | 51.8% | 8.1% | 1979 | $1,453 | 30.2% | 90.6% | 6.0% |
| Hampton City | 2.40 | 38.4 | 14.9% | 43.1% | 8.4% | 1973 | $1,510 | 28.1% | 92.6% | 6.1% |
| Portsmouth City | 2.40 | 37.4 | 18.8% | 42.1% | 7.8% | 1968 | $1,420 | 24.0% | 88.8% | 6.8% |
| Norfolk City | 2.39 | 35.3 | 15.4% | 53.7% | 9.2% | 1967 | $1,441 | 32.4% | 90.7% | 6.2% |
| Lunenburg County | 2.39 | 43.7 | 10.3% | 28.5% | 18.1% | 1972 | $802 | 12.5% | 80.4% | 3.1% |
| Virginia Beach City | 2.60 | 39.4 | 12.2% | 34.9% | 6.6% | 1984 | $1,902 | 40.7% | 94.7% | 3.8% |
| Charlotte County | 2.41 | 46.5 | 13.0% | 25.3% | 20.2% | 1981 | $761 | 20.4% | 82.7% | 3.0% |
| Franklin County | 2.38 | 47.6 | 9.5% | 21.5% | 17.2% | 1987 | $938 | 25.0% | 91.2% | 2.3% |
| Floyd County | 2.35 | 47.9 | 7.0% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 1986 | $859 | 24.4% | 91.1% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Uinta County, WY · Bond County, IL · Boone County, NE · Bosque County, TX · Bottineau County, ND · Boundary County, ID · Bourbon County, KS · Bowman County, ND · Box Butte County, NE · Tyler 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 Sussex 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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