City · Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, city, in Petersburg city, Virginia. Petersburg had 33,734 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 33,458 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 33,537 (controlled total). GEOID 5161832.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,734
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 33,458 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,537
Median household income
$50,698
±$2,886 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$189,000
±$18,119 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,174
±$44 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Petersburg and what county is it in?
Petersburg is a city in Petersburg city, Virginia. It covers 22.7 square miles of land, 1,473 residents per square mile in 2020.
Petersburg is in the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 17 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Petersburg covers the same area as Petersburg city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Petersburg's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Petersburg, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 33,734 people lived in Petersburg on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020 Census counted 33,458 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 33,537.
| Measure | Petersburg | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,537 | 8,705,170 | +2,175 |
| Households | 15,138 ±401 | 3,365,732 | +1,973 |
| Average household size | 2.18 ±0.06 | 2.52 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 18,075 ±24 | 3,684,756 | +1,708 |
Petersburg's population since 2000
From 33,740 in 2000 to 33,734 in 2025: down 0.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Petersburg as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Petersburg?
The median resident of Petersburg is 35.8 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 16.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 74.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 14.4%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Petersburg | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8 ±0.5 | 39.0 | −2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% ±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.8% ±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 45.2% ±0.7 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.5% | 11.0% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 14.4% ±0.2 pts | 58.4% | −0.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 74.2% ±1.1 pts | 18.3% | −2.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.2 pts | 6.9% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5% ±0.9 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.1% ±1.1 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.5% ±1.6 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.5% ±1.7 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5% ±1.5 pts | 6.9% | −5.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7% ±1.8 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.4% ±2.9 pts | 42.2% | +5.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.2% ±1.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 78.5% ±3.1 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.9% ±1.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Petersburg earn?
Half of Petersburg's 15,138 households earn less than $50,698 a year (±$2,886), against $50,698 in Petersburg city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $47,602 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Petersburg | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,698 ±$2,886 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,592 ±$3,543 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,418 ±$1,674 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.7% ±2.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.9% ±7.7 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.6% ±2.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.9% ±1.7 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5% ±2.2 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Petersburg?
Owners occupy 38.6% of Petersburg's occupied homes and renters 61.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,000 by its owner (±$18,119). The median renter pays $1,174 a month including utilities, and 42.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Petersburg | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,000 ±$18,119 | $383,700 | +$55,962 |
| Median gross rent | $1,174 ±$44 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.9% ±4.4 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,401 ±$74 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 38.6% ±3.4 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 61.4% ±3.4 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 18,075 ±24 | 3,684,756 | +1,708 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1% ±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.9% ±2.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 50.8% ±2.9 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% ±0.6 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.5% ±1.7 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.6% ±2.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.8% ±2.1 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Petersburg building?
Builders took permits for 95 new housing units in Petersburg in 2025 (95 in single-family houses), 2.8 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Petersburg work and get to work?
73.4% of Petersburg's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.0%.
| Measure | Petersburg | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.4% ±2.0 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.0% ±2.0 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.4% ±4.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8% ±2.6 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 3.7% ±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.0% ±3.1 pts | 18.3% | +7.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min ±2.1 | 27.3 min | +3.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Petersburg?
11 census tracts lie mostly in Petersburg (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $31,269 (Tract 8101) to $83,284 (Tract 8109).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8110Petersburg city | 5,567 | $54,493 |
| Tract 8105Petersburg city | 4,208 | $44,444 |
| Tract 8112Petersburg city | 3,914 | $38,281 |
| Tract 8111Petersburg city | 3,631 | $56,311 |
| Tract 8109Petersburg city | 3,415 | $83,284 |
| Tract 8113Petersburg city | 3,212 | $46,858 |
| Tract 8104Petersburg city | 2,153 | $63,867 |
| Tract 8103Petersburg city | 2,069 | $52,839 |
| Tract 8106Petersburg city | 1,922 | $38,000 |
| Tract 8107Petersburg city | 1,729 | $39,583 |
| Tract 8101Petersburg city | 1,717 | $31,269 |
Every census tract in Petersburg: the tract table of Petersburg city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Petersburg) · Census block assignment files
How does Petersburg compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Petersburg is the 1,234th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Petersburg ranks 320th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 18th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 62nd | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 181st | 374 |
| Median household income | 320th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 310th | 374 |
| Median home value | 291st | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 207th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 255th | 359 |
| Median age | 288th | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 352nd | 368 |
| Work from home | 234th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 199th | 372 |
Petersburg's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Petersburg with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Petersburg?
5 of the 57 figures for Petersburg on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Petersburg are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Petersburg.