Nelson County Demographics

A map of Nelson County's Population by Race

Nelson County, Virginia had a population of 14,775 in 2020. It was 80.4% White, 10.3% Black, 0.5% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 3.5% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Nelson County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Nelson County is the 100th most populous county of the 133 counties in Virginia.

Nelson County's White Population

11,879 residents of Nelson County identify as White, or 80.4%. This makes the White share of the population of Nelson County considerably larger than the White share of the population of Virginia (58.6% White). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Nelson County is ranked #45 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more White than neighboring Waynesboro County (72.4% White), Amherst County (73.4% White), Albemarle County (71.5% White), Staunton County (77.5% White), and Buckingham County (61.3% White).

Nelson County's Black Population

1,526 residents of Nelson County identify as Black, or 10.3%. This makes the Black share of the population of Nelson County slightly less than the Black share of the population of Virginia (18.3% Black). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Nelson County is ranked #76 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more Black than neighboring Albemarle County (8.7% Black). Nelson County is less Black than neighboring Waynesboro County (11.8% Black), Amherst County (17.1% Black), Staunton County (11.2% Black), and Buckingham County (32% Black).

Nelson County's Asian Population

67 residents of Nelson County identify as Asian, or 0.5%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Nelson County slightly less than the Asian share of the population of Virginia (7.1% Asian). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Nelson County is ranked #100 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more Asian than neighboring Buckingham County (0.4% Asian). Nelson County is less Asian than neighboring Waynesboro County (1.2% Asian), Amherst County (0.6% Asian), Albemarle County (7.3% Asian), and Staunton County (1.2% Asian).

Nelson County's Hispanic Population

663 residents of Nelson County identify as Hispanic, or 4.5%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Nelson County slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of Virginia (10.5% Hispanic). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Nelson County is ranked #63 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more Hispanic than neighboring Amherst County (2.7% Hispanic), Staunton County (4.2% Hispanic), and Buckingham County (2.5% Hispanic). Nelson County is less Hispanic than neighboring Waynesboro County (8.8% Hispanic), and Albemarle County (7.5% Hispanic).

Nelson County's Native American/Other Population

117 residents of Nelson County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.8%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Nelson 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, Nelson County is ranked #47 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Waynesboro County (0.7% Native American/Other), Albemarle County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Buckingham County (0.6% Native American/Other). Nelson County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Amherst County (1.3% Native American/Other), and Staunton County (0.9% Native American/Other).

Nelson County's Multiracial Population

523 residents of Nelson County identify as Multiracial, or 3.5%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Nelson County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Nelson County is ranked #83 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Nelson County is more Multiracial than neighboring Buckingham County (3.3% Multiracial). Nelson County is less Multiracial than neighboring Waynesboro County (5.2% Multiracial), Amherst County (5% Multiracial), Albemarle County (4.3% Multiracial), and Staunton County (4.9% Multiracial).

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