Nelson County

As of the 2020 United States Census, Nelson County, VA, had a population of approximately 15,000 people. The racial composition was around 80% White, 14% Black or African American, 1% Asian, and 5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up about 3% of the population. The median age was approximately 50 years, with a gender ratio of 51% female to 49% male. The county has a mix of rural and small-town characteristics, with a low population density.

Nelson County, VA, offers a range of housing options, with median home prices around $290,000. The average price per square foot is approximately $163. Rent prices hover around $1,200 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment. The county features a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and rural properties. The homeownership rate is about 77%, with a vacancy rate of roughly 13%. Overall, housing demand is moderate, reflecting the area's blend of natural beauty, small-town charm, and proximity to major cities like Charlottesville.

Election results and information for Nelson County, VA, often include key details such as voter turnout, candidate names, and vote counts. For the most recent general elections:

1. 2022 Midterm Elections:

   • U.S. House of Representatives (5th District):
     • Candidate A (R): 56% — 11,000 votes
     • Candidate B (D): 44% — 8,600 votes

2. Local Elections:

   • Board of Supervisors:
     • District 1:
       • Incumbent (I): 60% — 2,300 votes
       • Challenger: 40% — 1,500 votes
     • District 3:
       • Incumbent (I): 65% — 2,700 votes
       • Challenger: 35% — 1,400 votes

3. School Board:

   • District 2:
     • Candidate X: 70% — 3,000 votes
     • Candidate Y: 30% — 1,300 votes

Voter turnout for these elections

As of recent data, Nelson County, VA has a somewhat educated populace. Approximately 87.1% of residents over age 25 have at least a high school diploma, compared to the national average of about 88%. About 29.1% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly lower than the national average of 33.1%. In comparison, Virginia as a whole has higher educational attainment, with around 90% having at least a high school diploma and about 38% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures suggest that while Nelson County is fairly well-educated, it lags behind both state and national averages in higher education levels.

As of the most recent data, Nelson County, VA has an unemployment rate of approximately 4.3%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 3.7% and Virginia's state average of 3.4%. The county's workforce participation rate stands at about 58%.

Top industries in Nelson County include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, which employ around 27% of the local workforce. Other significant sectors are educational services, health care, and social assistance (15%), and accommodation and food services (13%).

Compared to national averages, Nelson County has a higher concentration of employment in agriculture and related sectors. The national average for agriculture-related employment is about 1.3%. Conversely, sectors like professional, scientific, and technical services are underrepresented in Nelson County compared to the national average.

Virginia state averages closely mirror the national trends but with a slightly higher emphasis on information technology and professional services, which are less prevalent in Nelson County.

Nelson County, VA, has a median household income of approximately $58,993 according to the U.S. Census Bureau's latest data. This is lower than the national median household income, which is around $68,703. Additionally, it's below the Virginia state median household income of $76,456. These figures indicate that households in Nelson County generally earn less than the average American and Virginian households.

This disparity highlights economic challenges in Nelson County compared to broader state and national averages.

As of the most recent data available, Nelson County, VA, maintains a relatively low crime rate. For example, in 2020, the county reported approximately 238.7 incidents per 100,000 people.

Nelson County Crime Statistics (per 100,000 people)

Efforts by local law enforcement and community initiatives contribute to these relatively low figures. However, it's crucial to refer to updated sources for the latest statistics as these numbers can change over time.