City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Charlottesville, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Charlottesville - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

45,863
Residents
$69,829
Median income
$448,400
Median home
$1,824
Median rent (state)

Charlottesville - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Charlottesville places in the 49th percentile for household income and the 10th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

49th
percentile, household income
81st
percentile, home value
77th
percentile, median rent
10th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Charlottesville, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 45,863 residents in Charlottesville, a small city within Virginia. Median household income here is $69,829 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.4%. Home values in Charlottesville run a median of $448,400, and the median resident age is 32.9 years. 60.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 49 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 44% from five years earlier. Charlottesville's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3550.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Charlottesville's yearly average temperature at 56.3°F with 48.2 inches of precipitation per year.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,824 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 24.3 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

45,863 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$69,829 /yr

Poverty 9.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Charlottesville compare to other US cities?

Charlottesville measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 49% higher than other cities
Home value 81% pricier than other cities
Median rent 77% pricier than other cities
Safety 10% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Virginia and the picture shifts: Charlottesville ranks #104 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Charlottesville's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

49thIncome percentile
10thSafety percentile

49th percentile nationally for median household income · 10th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Charlottesville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Charlottesville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 27 Avg. percentile National median
Charlottesville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Charlottesville's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$448,400 19th percentile more affordable than 19% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Charlottesville $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Charlottesville, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Charlottesville, VA median $69,829/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Charlottesville, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Charlottesville, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 60.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
45,863
Median Income
$69,829
Median Home Value
$448,400
Median Age
32.9
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Labor force participation
61.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
60.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3550.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
359.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3191.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
48.2"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
25
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
44,000 residents45,000 residents46,000 residents47,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 46,433 residents 44,388 residents ▼ -4.4%
Charlottesville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
49
housing units authorized
Single-Family
25
detached homes
Multifamily
24
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 88
2020 190
2021 191
2022 101
2023 59
2024 49

Permit volume decreased 44% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
53.2%
Carpool
5.5%
Public Transit
5.5%
Walk
12.8%
Work from Home
19.3%
Other
3.7%

Based on 23,715 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Charlottesville sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,824/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
24.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Ashburn
45,551 people
Blacksburg
45,288 people
Lake Ridge
45,007 people
Woodbridge
43,443 people
Burke
43,336 people
Tuckahoe
48,610 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Charlottesville's 45,863 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pahrump, NV
45,811 people
Hackensack, NJ
45,768 people
Wentzville, MO
45,734 people
Arlington, MA
46,015 people
Plainfield, IL
45,705 people
Strongsville, OH
46,022 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Charlottesville's $69,829 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sugarmill Woods, FL
$69,831 median income
Norco, LA
$69,833 median income
Fairchild AFB, WA
$69,825 median income
Garrettsville, OH
$69,821 median income
Suffield, OH
$69,821 median income
Aiken, SC
$69,837 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Charlottesville, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Charlottesville, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.0% 17.0% 7.0% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.8% White 68.0% Black or African American 17.0% Asian 7.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 6.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Charlottesville compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Charlottesville (this city) 45,863 $69,829
Ashburn 45,551 $152,094
Blacksburg 45,288 $48,070
Lake Ridge 45,007 $120,844
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Charlottesville, VA?

What is the population of Charlottesville, VA? +

Charlottesville, VA counts 45,863 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Charlottesville, VA? +

Median annual household income in Charlottesville runs $69,829, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Charlottesville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Charlottesville; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Charlottesville, VA safe? +

Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3550.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Charlottesville, VA? +

Charlottesville's median home value sits at $448,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Charlottesville? +

Charlottesville has an average annual temperature of 56.3°F, 48.2 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.