United States >> States >> Virginia
Virginia Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Virginia is a state in the Southeastern United States, bordered by Maryland to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, North Carolina and Tennessee to the south, Kentucky to the west, and West Virginia to the northwest. It ranks as the 12th most populous state in the United States.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia recorded a population of 8,631,393 in the 2020 Census. The latest Census population estimate (July 1, 2024) places Virginia’s population at 8,811,195 (8.8 million), reflecting steady growth over the past decade.
Based on recent Census trends, continued domestic migration, and natural population increase, Virginia is expected to maintain moderate and stable population growth over the next few years.
👉 Projected Population of Virginia (2026): ~9.0 million
Virginia Population Growth (2010–2020)
Virginia has a population growth rate of 7.9% during 2010-2020. It has had a population increase of 630,369 since 2010. The median age among the population of Virginia is approximately 37.8 years of age. In terms of the ratio of sexes in the state, 50.8% are females and 49.2% are males.
Virginia Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 8,631,393 (8.6 million) |
| Median Age | 37.8 years |
| Population Rank | 12th |
| Total Area | 42,774.2 sq. mi (110,785.67 sq. km) |
| Area Rank | 35th |
| Population Density | 206.7/sq. mi (79.8/sq. km) |
| Capital City | Richmond |
| Largest City | Virginia Beach |
Source: US Census 2020
Virginia Historical Population
Virginia’s population has grown steadily over the past century, rising from 2.06 million in 1910 to 8.63 million in 2020, an increase of more than 6.5 million people. Growth was especially strong between 1950 and 2000, with multiple decades recording double-digit percentage increases. While population growth slowed slightly in the 2010–2020 decade (7.9%), Virginia continues to experience consistent long-term expansion driven by migration and economic opportunities.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | % Change |
| 1910 | 2,061,612 | 11.2% |
| 1920 | 2,309,187 | 12% |
| 1930 | 2,421,851 | 4.9% |
| 1940 | 2,677,773 | 10.6% |
| 1950 | 3,318,680 | 23.9% |
| 1960 | 3,966,949 | 19.5% |
| 1970 | 4,648,494 | 17.2% |
| 1980 | 5,346,818 | 15% |
| 1990 | 6,187,358 | 15.7% |
| 2000 | 7,078,515 | 14.4% |
| 2010 | 8,001,024 | 13% |
| 2020 | 8,631,393 | 7.9% |
Source: US Census 2020
Virginia Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Virginia (Overview)
Christianity is the largest religious affiliation in Virginia, followed by a sizable unaffiliated population.
Christian: ~73%
Protestant: 58%
Roman Catholic: 12%
Unaffiliated: ~20%
Other Religions: ~6%
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Islam
Other smaller faiths
Read detailed data: Religion in Virginia
Race and Ethnicity in Virginia (Overview)
Virginia has a diverse racial and ethnic composition shaped by long-term migration and suburban growth.
White (Non-Hispanic): 61.0%
Black or African American: 18.6%
Hispanic or Latino: 10.6%
Asian: 7.1%
Two or More Races: 3.7%
Ancestry in Virginia (Overview)
Virginia’s population reflects a mix of early American and European ancestries. The largest ancestry groups include:
German
Irish
American
English
Italian
Read detailed data: Race and Ethnicity in Virginia
Counties and Cities in Virginia
As of 2022, Virginia is divided into 95 counties along with 38 independent cities, a unique administrative structure among U.S. states.
The most populous counties in Virginia are Fairfax County (1,148,433) and Prince William County (463,023), both located in Northern Virginia.
Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the state, with a population of nearly 500,000, followed by Chesapeake and Norfolk.
Read more: Cities and Counties in Virginia
English
Español
Português
Deutsch