Charlottesville, VA Metro Area

Charlottesville, VA · Metro Area

224,335Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 5 counties (2 central, 3 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $93,598
Median home value: $430,300
Land area: 1,645 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Albemarle County, VA	Central	114,919	$104,392	$495,400
Charlottesville city, VA	Central	45,437	$74,824	$486,700
Fluvanna County, VA	Outlying	28,092	$96,768	$314,100
Greene County, VA	Outlying	21,155	$89,808	$343,300
Nelson County, VA	Outlying	14,732	$72,589	$321,700

Largest cities and towns

23 places in our city pages lie in this area.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Charlottesville, VA	City	45,437	$74,824
Lake Monticello, VA	CDP	10,662	$106,818
Crozet, VA	CDP	9,289	$129,417
University of Virginia, VA	CDP	9,065	$52,546
Hollymead, VA	CDP	8,482	$118,250
Pantops, VA	CDP	4,665	$127,552
Piney Mountain, VA	CDP	2,288	$138,636
Rivanna, VA	CDP	2,211	$146,328
Nellysford, VA	CDP	1,584	$136,442
Twin Lakes, VA	CDP	1,562	$66,526
Ruckersville, VA	CDP	1,399	$101,875
Arrington, VA	CDP	915	$58,144
Ivy, VA	CDP	794	$189,072
Esmont, VA	CDP	751	$53,051
Stanardsville, VA	Town	740	$65,500
Wintergreen, VA	CDP	589	$120,346
Scottsville, VA	Town	510	$40,417
Shipman, VA	CDP	472	$49,301
Lovingston, VA	CDP	455	—
Schuyler, VA	CDP	197	$33,850
Palmyra, VA	CDP	171	—
Free Union, VA	CDP	124	$87,581
Columbia, VA	CDP	0	—

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11%

Unemployment

3.4%

College Educated

53.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$93,598

Mean Household Income

$130,910

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.1%

Female

51.9%

Population Split

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English16.3%

German13.6%

Irish11.6%

Italian5.1%

Scottish3.0%

French2.2%

Polish2.1%

Mexican2.1%

African0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.9%Foreign Born

91.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized44.3%

Non-Citizen55.7%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later43.5%

Before 201056.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

101,111

Median Rent

$1,598/mo

Median Home Value

$430,300

Median Year Built

1989

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

59,008

College Enrollment

29.4%

High School

16.0%

College Educated

53.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

23.9 min

Drive Alone Rate

63.4%

Public Transit

1.9%

Work From Home

20.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

19.1%

18-34 Years

25.1%

35-64 Years

36.1%

65+ Years

19.7%

Population Composition

Under 1819.1%

18-3425.1%

35-6436.1%

65+19.7%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.6%

Single Parent

4.9%

Living Alone

29.7%

Avg Size

2.34

Household Types

Married Couples47.6%

Single Parent4.9%

Living Alone29.7%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$53,701

SNAP Usage

6.9%

Health Insurance

94.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.4%

$25k - $50k13.6%

$50k - $100k27.0%

$100k+46.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

4.4%

Retail Trade

9.3%

Education & Health Care

33.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

10.7%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

91.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

99.2

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

115.2

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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