County · Virginia
Northampton County, Virginia
Northampton County, Virginia. Northampton County had 11,879 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 8 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 51131.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,879
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,282 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,059
Median household income
$61,632
±$7,281 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$316,200
±$40,917 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$829
±$60 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Northampton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,282 residents in Northampton County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,879 for July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,059 over 212 square miles of land.
| Measure | Northampton County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,059 | 8,705,170 | +174 |
| Households | 5,437±237 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.09 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,550±34 | 3,684,756 | +154 |
Northampton County's population since 2000
From 13,093 in 2000 to 11,879 in 2025: down 9.3%. 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 Northampton County?
Northampton County holds 8 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Exmore with 1,396 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Exmore | 1,473 | $29,028 |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Charles | 1,178 | $73,750 |
| NassawadoxGEOID 5154984 | 533 | $51,932 |
| CheritonGEOID 5115112 | 486 | $49,191 |
| EastvilleGEOID 5124752 | 300 | $77,917 |
| Willis WharfGEOID 5186336 | 210 | $92,543 |
| Belle Haven, Accomack County | 543 | $62,917 |
| FranktownGEOID 5129712 | 61 | not published |
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 Northampton County?
The median resident of Northampton County is 52.5 years old; 18.3% are under 18 and 29.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.6%. 7.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Northampton County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.5±0.6 | 39.0 | +3.5 |
| Under 18 years | 18.3%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.4%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.3% | 11.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.9%±0.5 pts | 58.4% | +1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.6%±1.2 pts | 18.3% | −3.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 3.8%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.4%±1.1 pts | 13.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.8%±1.2 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.1%±1.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 19.2%±2.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1%±2.0 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.4%±1.8 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.0%±3.1 pts | 42.2% | +9.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.7%±2.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±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 Northampton County earn?
Half of Northampton County's 5,437 households earn less than $61,632 a year (±$7,281), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $58,122 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Northampton County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,632±$7,281 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,869±$8,471 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,222±$3,487 | $50,666 | +$9,125 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.7%±3.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 32.2%±9.5 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.9%±3.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5%±3.1 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 Northampton County?
Owners occupy 66.1% of Northampton County's occupied homes and renters 33.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $316,200 by its owner (±$40,917). The median renter pays $829 a month including utilities, and 34.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Northampton County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $316,200±$40,917 | $383,700 | +$98,613 |
| Median gross rent | $829±$60 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.1%±7.4 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,632±$183 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.1%±4.4 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,550±34 | 3,684,756 | +154 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.1%±3.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.7%±2.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.7%±2.9 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 Northampton County building?
Builders took permits for 145 new housing units across Northampton County in 2025 (133 single-family), 12.2 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 Northampton County get to work?
71.7% of Northampton County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Northampton County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.8%±3.0 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3%±1.6 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7%±4.9 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4%±3.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±3.5 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±3.0 | 27.3 min | +4.6 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 are Northampton County's census tracts?
Northampton County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,285 (Tract 9301) to $74,063 (Tract 9302).
| Tract 930151131930100 | 4,015±456 | $53,285 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930251131930200 | 3,699±472 | $74,063 |
| Tract 9303.0151131930301 | 2,555±342 | $62,391 |
| Tract 9303.0251131930302 | 1,790±347 | $66,141 |
| Tract 990151131990100 | 0±13 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Northampton County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 108th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 122nd of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 96th of 133 |
| Median household income | 89th of 133 |
| Median home value | 47th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 104th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 133 |
| Median age | 7th 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 Northampton 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.