The Census Bureau estimates 44,388 people lived in Charlottesville on July 1, 2025, down 4.7% from the 46,553 counted in 2020 and up 2.1% from 2010.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2010 and 2020 census counts, the Vintage 2025 population estimates and the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Charlottesville is an independent city, so the Census Bureau counts it as both a city and a county-level area; the figures are the same.
The Census Bureau estimates that 44,388 people lived in Charlottesville on July 1, 2025. That is down 4.7% from the 46,553 counted in the 2020 census, though still up 2.1% from the 43,475 counted in 2010. The estimate has fallen every year since 2020; the latest year alone dropped by about 220 people (0.5%). Surrounding Albemarle County, a separate jurisdiction, grew over the same years.
Where to look it up
- Charlottesville QuickFacts: census.gov/quickfacts
- Detailed tables: 2020-2024 ACS profile, Charlottesville
- Annual estimates file: Vintage 2025 Virginia places
Population since 2010
| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 43,475 | Census count |
| 2020 | 46,553 | Census count |
| 2021 | 45,723 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2022 | 45,104 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2023 | 44,832 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2024 | 44,609 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2025 | 44,388 | Estimate, July 1 |
Estimates are modeled from births, deaths and migration and are revised each year; the census counts are the firm figures. Charlottesville’s count includes University of Virginia students who live in the city.
Who lives here
From the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates:
| Measure | Charlottesville | Albemarle County |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS) | 45,437 | 114,919 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 39.7 |
| Ages 20 to 24 | 15.7% | 6.2% |
| Under 18 | 16.5% | 19.5% |
| 65 and older | 13.5% | 20.4% |
| Households | 19,815 | 45,912 |
| Average household size | 2.14 | 2.33 |
| Median household income | $74,824 | $104,392 |
| Below the poverty line | 19.6% | 7.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25 and older) | 62.5% | 61.1% |
The large share of residents in their early 20s and the young median age reflect the university. Households are small: just over two people on average.
Housing
| Measure | Charlottesville | Albemarle County |
|---|---|---|
| Housing units | 21,610 | 49,159 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 44.2% | 65.9% |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $486,700 | $495,400 |
| Median gross rent | $1,540 | $1,692 |
Most Charlottesville households rent. For current market values see our home prices guide.
How Charlottesville compares
| Place | 2025 estimate | Change since 2020 base |
|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | 81,347 | up 3.0% |
| Harrisonburg | 50,839 | down 1.9% |
| Charlottesville | 44,388 | down 4.6% |
| Staunton | 26,801 | up 4.1% |
| Waynesboro | 23,951 | up 7.9% |
| Albemarle County | 118,356 | up 5.3% |
The change column compares the July 2025 estimate with the Census Bureau’s April 2020 estimates base. Lake Monticello, a community of about 10,662 people in Fluvanna County about 12 miles away and the nearest neighbor of more than 5,000 people, had a median household income of $106,818 and a median age of 42.1 in the same ACS release.
What this means for you
- Charlottesville is small and slowly shrinking on paper, while the county around it grows.
- It is young and mostly renters, which shapes everything from schools to parking.
- We update this page when the Census Bureau releases its next estimates.
Related guides: moving to Charlottesville, schools guide and history and landmarks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Charlottesville, Virginia?
The Census Bureau estimates 44,388 people lived in the city of Charlottesville on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 46,553.
Is Charlottesville growing or shrinking?
The city’s estimated population has fallen every year since 2020, by about 2,200 people or 4.7%, while surrounding Albemarle County grew about 5.3% to 118,356.
What is the median age in Charlottesville?
33.1, in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates, against 39.7 in Albemarle County. About 15.7% of city residents are 20 to 24 years old.
What is the median household income in Charlottesville?
$74,824 in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Albemarle County’s was $104,392.
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