Northumberland County Demographics

A map of Northumberland County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	8,327	8,310	68.3%	70.2%
Black	2,326	2,673	19.1%	22.6%
Asian	533	67	4.4%	0.6%
Multiracial	455	365	3.7%	3.1%
Hispanic	432	351	3.5%	3.0%
Native American/Other	115	73	0.9%	0.6%

Northumberland County, Virginia has an estimated population of 12,188, a slight increase from the 11,839 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.3% White, 19.1% Black, 4.4% Asian, 3.7% Multiracial, 3.5% Hispanic, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Northumberland County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Northumberland has become more 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 Northumberland County, that probability was 45.4% in 2020 and 49.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Northumberland County is ranked the 107th most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Northumberland County was ranked the 109th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Northumberland County's White Population

8,327 residents of Northumberland County, or 68.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Northumberland County is higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Northumberland County ranks 69th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Northumberland County's population has decreased from 70.2% to 68.3%.

Northumberland County is more White than neighboring Lancaster County (67.4% White), and Richmond County (60.1% White). Northumberland County is less White than neighboring Middlesex County (77.6% White), St. Mary's County (70.3% White), and Mathews County (84.6% White).

Northumberland County's Black Population

2,326 residents of Northumberland County, or 19.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Northumberland County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Northumberland County ranks 42nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's Black population has declined by an estimated 13.0%. Black residents' share of Northumberland County's population has decreased from 22.6% to 19.1%.

Northumberland County is more Black than neighboring Middlesex County (15.8% Black), St. Mary's County (14.6% Black), and Mathews County (9.7% Black). Northumberland County is less Black than neighboring Lancaster County (25.5% Black), and Richmond County (26.8% Black).

Northumberland County's Asian Population

533 residents of Northumberland County, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Northumberland County is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Northumberland County ranks 88th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 695.5%. Asian residents' share of Northumberland County's population has increased from 0.6% to 4.4%.

Northumberland County is more Asian than neighboring Lancaster County (0.6% Asian), Middlesex County (0.4% Asian), Richmond County (0.6% Asian), St. Mary's County (2.6% Asian), and Mathews County (0% Asian).

Northumberland County's Hispanic Population

432 residents of Northumberland County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Northumberland County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Northumberland County ranks 89th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 23.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Northumberland County's population has increased from 3.0% to 3.5%.

Northumberland County is more Hispanic than neighboring Lancaster County (1.8% Hispanic), Middlesex County (3.2% Hispanic), and Mathews County (2.7% Hispanic). Northumberland County is less Hispanic than neighboring Richmond County (7.5% Hispanic), and St. Mary's County (6.1% Hispanic).

Northumberland County's Native American/Other Population

115 residents of Northumberland County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Northumberland County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Northumberland County ranks 75th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 57.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Northumberland County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Northumberland County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lancaster County (0.5% Native American/Other), Middlesex County (0.2% Native American/Other), Richmond County (0.7% Native American/Other), and St. Mary's County (0.6% Native American/Other). Northumberland County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Mathews County (1.3% Native American/Other).

Northumberland County's Multiracial Population

455 residents of Northumberland County, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Northumberland County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Northumberland County ranks 104th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Northumberland County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 24.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Northumberland County's population has increased from 3.1% to 3.7%.

Northumberland County is more Multiracial than neighboring Middlesex County (2.8% Multiracial), and Mathews County (1.8% Multiracial). Northumberland County is less Multiracial than neighboring Lancaster County (4.1% Multiracial), Richmond County (4.2% Multiracial), and St. Mary's County (5.9% 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.