County · Virginia
Nelson County, Virginia
Nelson County, Virginia. Nelson County had 14,920 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 7 places (7 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 51125.
Nelson County is one of the 5 counties of the Charlottesville, VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,920
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,775 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,732
Median household income
$72,589
±$13,010 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$321,700
±$32,228 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$946
±$40 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Nelson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,775 residents in Nelson County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,920 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,732 over 471 square miles of land.
| Measure | Nelson County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,732 | 8,705,170 | −99 |
| Households | 6,364±308 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.11 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,995±25 | 3,684,756 | −180 |
Nelson County's population since 2000
From 14,445 in 2000 to 14,920 in 2025: up 3.3%. 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 Nelson County?
Nelson County holds 7 places: 7 census-designated places. The largest is Nellysford with 1,584 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Nellysford | 1,254 | $136,442 |
|---|---|---|
| ArringtonGEOID 5103208 | 718 | not published |
| LovingstonGEOID 5147224 | 503 | not published |
| ShipmanGEOID 5172080 | 492 | $49,301 |
| WintergreenGEOID 5187008 | 346 | $120,346 |
| AftonGEOID 5100484 | 313 | $93,409 |
| SchuylerGEOID 5170704 | 252 | $33,850 |
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 Nelson County?
The median resident of Nelson County is 51.3 years old; 17.4% are under 18 and 29.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 11.0%. 4.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nelson County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.3±0.6 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.4%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.6%±0.6 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% | 11.0% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.8%±1.1 pts | 58.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.0%±0.9 pts | 18.3% | −1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7%±1.7 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.2%±1.9 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.1%±1.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3%±2.3 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.1%±2.1 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±2.3 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.3%±3.9 pts | 42.2% | +5.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5%±2.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±1.1 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 Nelson County earn?
Half of Nelson County's 6,364 households earn less than $72,589 a year (±$13,010), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $79,150 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nelson County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,589±$13,010 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,122±$8,652 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,844±$3,892 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5%±2.6 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.5%±5.2 pts | 12.3% | −11.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±3.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9%±3.8 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 Nelson County?
Owners occupy 79.7% of Nelson County's occupied homes and renters 20.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $321,700 by its owner (±$32,228). The median renter pays $946 a month including utilities, and 22.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nelson County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $321,700±$32,228 | $383,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $946±$40 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.3%±10.9 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,701±$116 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.7%±4.1 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,995±25 | 3,684,756 | −180 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±1.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±4.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.3%±3.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.9%±2.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7%±2.3 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 Nelson County building?
Builders took permits for 62 new housing units across Nelson County in 2025 (62 single-family), 4.2 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 Nelson County get to work?
67.4% of Nelson County's workers drive alone and 19.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Nelson County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.3%±3.2 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3%±1.7 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.4%±4.2 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.2%±2.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 3.6%±2.0 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.1%±3.8 pts | 18.3% | +7.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.3 min±2.2 | 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 Nelson County's census tracts?
Nelson County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,701 (Tract 9503) to $116,753 (Tract 9502.02).
| Tract 9501.0151125950101 | 3,185±383 | $64,047 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0251125950102 | 2,522±296 | $82,941 |
| Tract 9502.0151125950201 | 2,241±323 | $77,375 |
| Tract 9502.0251125950202 | 2,946±572 | $116,753 |
| Tract 950351125950300 | 3,838±375 | $54,701 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Nelson County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 100th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 73rd of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 120th of 133 |
| Median household income | 59th of 133 |
| Median home value | 46th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 87th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 59th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 133 |
| Median age | 9th 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 Nelson County 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.