Amherst County Demographics

A map of Amherst County's Population by Race

Amherst County, Virginia had a population of 31,307 in 2020. It was 73.4% White, 17.1% Black, 0.6% Asian, 2.7% Hispanic, 1.3% Native American/Other, and 5.0% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Amherst County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Amherst County is the 55th most populous county of the 133 counties in Virginia.

Amherst County's White Population

22,967 residents of Amherst County identify as White, or 73.4%. This makes the White share of the population of Amherst County larger than the White share of the population of Virginia (58.6% White). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #63 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more White than neighboring Lynchburg County (60.3% White). Amherst County is less White than neighboring Buena Vista County (85.2% White), Nelson County (80.4% White), Lexington County (82.2% White), and Rockbridge County (89.9% White).

Amherst County's Black Population

5,346 residents of Amherst County identify as Black, or 17.1%. This makes the Black share of the population of Amherst County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of Virginia (18.3% Black). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #54 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more Black than neighboring Buena Vista County (4.4% Black), Nelson County (10.3% Black), Lexington County (6.2% Black), and Rockbridge County (2.5% Black). Amherst County is less Black than neighboring Lynchburg County (26.9% Black).

Amherst County's Asian Population

182 residents of Amherst County identify as Asian, or 0.6%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Amherst County slightly less than the Asian share of the population of Virginia (7.1% Asian). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #86 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more Asian than neighboring Buena Vista County (0.4% Asian), and Nelson County (0.5% Asian). Amherst County is less Asian than neighboring Lynchburg County (2.2% Asian), Lexington County (3.8% Asian), and Rockbridge County (0.8% Asian).

Amherst County's Hispanic Population

838 residents of Amherst County identify as Hispanic, or 2.7%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Amherst County slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of Virginia (10.5% Hispanic). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #94 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more Hispanic than neighboring Rockbridge County (2.3% Hispanic). Amherst County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lynchburg County (4.9% Hispanic), Buena Vista County (3.4% Hispanic), Nelson County (4.5% Hispanic), and Lexington County (4.6% Hispanic).

Amherst County's Native American/Other Population

413 residents of Amherst County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.3%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Amherst County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #7 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lynchburg County (1.1% Native American/Other), Buena Vista County (1.2% Native American/Other), Nelson County (0.8% Native American/Other), Lexington County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Rockbridge County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Amherst County's Multiracial Population

1,561 residents of Amherst County identify as Multiracial, or 5.0%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Amherst County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Amherst County is ranked #25 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Amherst County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lynchburg County (4.5% Multiracial), Nelson County (3.5% Multiracial), Lexington County (2.8% Multiracial), and Rockbridge County (3.8% Multiracial). Amherst County is less Multiracial than neighboring Buena Vista County (5.4% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.