County · Virginia
Charlottesville city, Virginia
Charlottesville city, Virginia. Charlottesville city had 44,388 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.6% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 51540.
Charlottesville city is one of the 5 counties of the Charlottesville, VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Charlottesville city is the same area as Charlottesville: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
44,388
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 46,553 · ACS 2020-2024: 45,437
Median household income
$74,824
±$5,371 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$486,700
±$16,002 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,540
±$63 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Charlottesville city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 46,553 residents in Charlottesville city. The Census Bureau estimates 44,388 for July 1, 2025, down 4.6% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 45,437 over 10 square miles of land.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 45,437 | 8,705,170 | −1,659 |
| Households | 19,815±385 | 3,365,732 | +1,198 |
| Average household size | 2.14±0.04 | 2.52 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 21,610±86 | 3,684,756 | +968 |
Charlottesville city's population since 2000
From 45,049 in 2000 to 44,388 in 2025: down 1.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Charlottesville city?
Charlottesville city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Charlottesville with 44,388 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Charlottesville | 46,553 | $74,824 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Charlottesville city?
The median resident of Charlottesville city is 33.1 years old; 16.5% are under 18 and 13.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 15.5%. 10.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.1±0.4 | 39.0 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 16.5%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.5%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.9% | 11.0% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.2%±0.5 pts | 58.4% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 15.5%±0.9 pts | 18.3% | −3.2 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.0%±0.6 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7%±1.1 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.6%±1.2 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.9%±1.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 9.4%±0.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.5%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | −3.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±1.2 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.5%±2.3 pts | 42.2% | +7.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 35.6%±2.6 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1%±0.8 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 Charlottesville city earn?
Half of Charlottesville city's 19,815 households earn less than $74,824 a year (±$5,371), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $73,191 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,824±$5,371 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $115,236±$6,098 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,540±$2,644 | $50,666 | +$4,370 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.6%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | −4.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.3%±3.8 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.4%±1.8 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 Charlottesville city?
Owners occupy 44.2% of Charlottesville city's occupied homes and renters 55.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $486,700 by its owner (±$16,002). The median renter pays $1,540 a month including utilities, and 47.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $486,700±$16,002 | $383,700 | +$117,984 |
| Median gross rent | $1,540±$63 | $1,579 | +$135 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.5%±4.5 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,214±$100 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 44.2%±2.2 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,610±86 | 3,684,756 | +968 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.0%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 47.0%±2.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.2%±1.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 Charlottesville city building?
Builders took permits for 889 new housing units across Charlottesville city in 2025 (53 single-family), 20.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Charlottesville city get to work?
53.1% of Charlottesville city's workers drive alone and 21.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Charlottesville city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.7%±1.6 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7%±1.2 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 53.1%±3.1 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.4%±1.1 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 5.6%±1.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 11.3%±1.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.4%±2.3 pts | 18.3% | +14.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.0 min±0.9 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
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 are Charlottesville city's census tracts?
Charlottesville city is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,704 (Tract 2.02) to $127,351 (Tract 8).
| Tract 2.0151540000201 | 2,994±463 | $71,169 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.0251540000202 | 4,744±693 | $29,704 |
| Tract 3.0251540000302 | 3,234±568 | $88,438 |
| Tract 4.0151540000401 | 3,409±453 | $54,263 |
| Tract 4.0251540000402 | 3,974±512 | $77,233 |
| Tract 5.0151540000501 | 4,362±613 | $73,795 |
| Tract 5.0251540000502 | 5,210±510 | $90,341 |
| Tract 651540000600 | 3,287±358 | $31,458 |
| Tract 751540000700 | 4,505±518 | $81,951 |
| Tract 851540000800 | 3,732±413 | $127,351 |
| Tract 951540000900 | 2,413±274 | $89,200 |
| Tract 1051540001000 | 3,573±658 | $103,773 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Charlottesville city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 128th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 133 |
| Median household income | 57th of 133 |
| Median home value | 13th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 27th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 17th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6th of 133 |
| Median age | 124th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Charlottesville city 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' school search.