Chester, VA Demographics

A map of Chester's Population by Race

Chester, Virginia has an estimated population of 24,474, an increase from the 23,414 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.6% White, 22.3% Black, 16.4% Hispanic, 4.2% Multiracial, 1.5% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Chester, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Chester has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Chester, that probability was 61.3% in 2020 and 62.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Chester is ranked the 49th 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). Chester was ranked the 51st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Chester's White Population

13,356 residents of Chester, or 54.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Chester is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Chester ranks 486th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's White population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. White residents' share of Chester's population has decreased from 55.6% to 54.6%.

Chester is more White than neighboring Bellwood (32.3% White), Meadowbrook (24.2% White), Bensley (29.8% White), and Ettrick (27.3% White). Chester is less White than neighboring Colonial Heights (65.2% White).

Chester's Black Population

5,459 residents of Chester, or 22.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Chester is slightly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Chester ranks 143rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. Black residents' share of Chester's population has decreased from 24.1% to 22.3%.

Chester is more Black than neighboring Colonial Heights (18.7% Black). Chester is less Black than neighboring Bellwood (28.1% Black), Meadowbrook (38.9% Black), Bensley (23.4% Black), and Ettrick (62.6% Black).

Chester's Asian Population

365 residents of Chester, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Chester is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Chester ranks 209th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Asian population has declined by an estimated 26.0%. Asian residents' share of Chester's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.5%.

Chester is more Asian than neighboring Bensley (0.9% Asian), and Ettrick (0.6% Asian). Chester is less Asian than neighboring Bellwood (2.6% Asian), Meadowbrook (2.9% Asian), and Colonial Heights (3.7% Asian).

Chester's Hispanic Population

4,016 residents of Chester, or 16.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Chester is higher than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Chester ranks 118th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 32.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Chester's population has increased from 13.0% to 16.4%.

Chester is more Hispanic than neighboring Colonial Heights (8.3% Hispanic), and Ettrick (6.8% Hispanic). Chester is less Hispanic than neighboring Bellwood (30% Hispanic), Meadowbrook (29% Hispanic), and Bensley (43.9% Hispanic).

Chester's Native American/Other Population

238 residents of Chester, 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 Chester is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Chester ranks 130th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 2.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Chester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Chester is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bellwood (0.6% Native American/Other), Meadowbrook (0.7% Native American/Other), Bensley (0.7% Native American/Other), Colonial Heights (0.5% Native American/Other), and Ettrick (0% Native American/Other).

Chester's Multiracial Population

1,040 residents of Chester, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Chester is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Chester ranks 324th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chester's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Chester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.2%.

Chester is more Multiracial than neighboring Bensley (1.2% Multiracial), Colonial Heights (3.5% Multiracial), and Ettrick (2.8% Multiracial). Chester is less Multiracial than neighboring Bellwood (6.4% Multiracial), and Meadowbrook (4.3% 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.