County · Virginia
Sussex County, Virginia
Sussex County, Virginia. Sussex County had 10,755 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 51183.
Sussex County is one of the 17 counties of the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,755
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,829 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,765
Median household income
$63,530
±$2,583 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$183,800
±$22,429 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$907
±$105 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Sussex County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,829 residents in Sussex County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,755 for July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,765 over 490 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,765 | 8,705,170 | −612 |
| Households | 3,785±171 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.10 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,706±50 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
Sussex County's population since 2000
From 12,504 in 2000 to 10,755 in 2025: down 14.0%. 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 Sussex County?
Sussex County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Waverly with 1,936 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waverly | 1,955 | $50,156 |
|---|---|---|
| Wakefield, Sussex County | 759 | $62,386 |
| Stony CreekGEOID 5175840 | 209 | $64,811 |
| SussexGEOID 5176912 | 181 | not published |
| Jarratt | 652 | $61,671 |
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 Sussex County?
The median resident of Sussex County is 40.8 years old; 15.7% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 54.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 40.7%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8±1.9 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 15.7%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 11.0% | −1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 40.7%±0.2 pts | 58.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 54.1%±1.7 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 13.1% | −1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.5%±2.4 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.6%±2.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6%±3.0 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.9%±3.3 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.5%±3.0 pts | 42.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±1.6 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±1.7 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 Sussex County earn?
Half of Sussex County's 3,785 households earn less than $63,530 a year (±$2,583), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $60,903 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,530±$2,583 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,506±$7,172 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,317±$2,353 | $50,666 | +$3,670 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±2.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.0%±8.7 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.9%±3.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1%±3.2 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 Sussex County?
Owners occupy 69.7% of Sussex County's occupied homes and renters 30.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $183,800 by its owner (±$22,429). The median renter pays $907 a month including utilities, and 42.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $183,800±$22,429 | $383,700 | +$28,979 |
| Median gross rent | $907±$105 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.6%±11.5 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,409±$66 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.7%±5.3 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,706±50 | 3,684,756 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±3.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.1%±3.9 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.4%±3.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.1%±2.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.5%±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 Sussex County building?
Builders took permits for 34 new housing units across Sussex County in 2025 (34 single-family), 3.2 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 Sussex County get to work?
86.7% of Sussex County's workers drive alone and 8.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Sussex County | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.0%±3.2 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.5 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 86.7%±3.7 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8%±1.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.5%±3.0 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.4 min±2.8 | 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 Sussex County's census tracts?
Sussex County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,279 (Tract 8703) to $72,593 (Tract 8701).
| Tract 870151183870100 | 2,751±408 | $72,593 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 8702.0151183870201 | 2,721±287 | $63,193 |
| Tract 8702.0251183870202 | 552±53 | not published |
| Tract 870351183870300 | 2,886±331 | $52,279 |
| Tract 870451183870400 | 1,855±431 | $64,485 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sussex County compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 114th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 96th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 128th of 133 |
| Median household income | 81st of 133 |
| Median home value | 101st of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 92nd of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 66th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 113th of 133 |
| Median age | 78th 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 Sussex 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.