Amherst, VA Demographics

A map of Amherst's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,528	1,425	81.9%	67.5%
Black	258	452	13.8%	21.4%
Multiracial	40	97	2.1%	4.6%
Hispanic	20	80	1.1%	3.8%
Native American/Other	19	37	1.0%	1.8%
Asian	0	19	0.0%	0.9%

Amherst, Virginia has an estimated population of 1,865, a large decrease from the 2,110 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.9% White, 13.8% Black, 2.1% Multiracial, 1.1% Hispanic, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Amherst, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Amherst has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Amherst, that probability was 49.4% in 2020 and 30.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Amherst is ranked the 290th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Amherst was ranked the 270th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Amherst's White Population

1,528 residents of Amherst, or 81.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Amherst is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Amherst ranks 382nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's White population has grown by an estimated 7.2%. White residents' share of Amherst's population has increased from 67.5% to 81.9%.

Amherst is more White than neighboring Madison Heights (67.4% White), Arrington (65.5% White), Lynchburg (59.9% White), Concord (74.4% White), and Shipman (55.5% White).

Amherst's Black Population

258 residents of Amherst, or 13.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Amherst is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Amherst ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's Black population has declined by an estimated 42.9%. Black residents' share of Amherst's population has decreased from 21.4% to 13.8%.

Amherst is less Black than neighboring Madison Heights (23.1% Black), Arrington (23.6% Black), Lynchburg (27% Black), Concord (14% Black), and Shipman (42.6% Black).

Amherst's Asian Population

0 residents of Amherst, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Amherst is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Amherst ranks 330th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Amherst's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.0%.

Amherst is less Asian than neighboring Madison Heights (0.3% Asian), Arrington (10.9% Asian), and Lynchburg (2.2% Asian).

Amherst's Hispanic Population

20 residents of Amherst, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Amherst is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Amherst ranks 386th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 75.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Amherst's population has decreased from 3.8% to 1.1%.

Amherst is more Hispanic than neighboring Arrington (0% Hispanic). Amherst is less Hispanic than neighboring Madison Heights (2.7% Hispanic), Lynchburg (5.1% Hispanic), Concord (8.9% Hispanic), and Shipman (1.9% Hispanic).

Amherst's Native American/Other Population

19 residents of Amherst, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Amherst is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Amherst ranks 37th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 48.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Amherst's population has decreased from 1.8% to 1.0%.

Amherst is more Native American/Other than neighboring Arrington (0% Native American/Other), Concord (0% Native American/Other), and Shipman (0% Native American/Other). Amherst is less Native American/Other than neighboring Madison Heights (1.3% Native American/Other), and Lynchburg (1.4% Native American/Other).

Amherst's Multiracial Population

40 residents of Amherst, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Amherst is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Amherst ranks 264th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Amherst's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 58.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Amherst's population has decreased from 4.6% to 2.1%.

Amherst is more Multiracial than neighboring Arrington (0% Multiracial), and Shipman (0% Multiracial). Amherst is less Multiracial than neighboring Madison Heights (5.2% Multiracial), Lynchburg (4.4% Multiracial), and Concord (2.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.