Petersburg, VA Demographics

A map of Petersburg's Population by Race

Petersburg, Virginia has an estimated population of 33,537, a less than 1% change from the 33,458 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 74.2% Black, 14.4% White, 6.5% Hispanic, 3.3% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Petersburg, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Petersburg has become 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 Petersburg, that probability was 43.4% in 2020 and 42.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Petersburg is ranked the 34th 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). Petersburg was ranked the 34th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Petersburg's White Population

4,818 residents of Petersburg, or 14.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Petersburg is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Petersburg ranks 659th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's White population has declined by an estimated 7.0%. White residents' share of Petersburg's population has decreased from 15.5% to 14.4%.

Petersburg is less White than neighboring Ettrick (27.3% White), Colonial Heights (65.2% White), Fort Lee (30.8% White), Matoaca (56.9% White), and Prince George (64% White).

Petersburg's Black Population

24,890 residents of Petersburg, or 74.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Petersburg is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Petersburg ranks 11th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's Black population has grown by an estimated 1.5%. Black residents' share of Petersburg's population has increased from 73.3% to 74.2%.

Petersburg is more Black than neighboring Ettrick (62.6% Black), Colonial Heights (18.7% Black), Fort Lee (29.6% Black), Matoaca (32.2% Black), and Prince George (35% Black).

Petersburg's Asian Population

433 residents of Petersburg, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Petersburg is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Petersburg ranks 318th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's Asian population has grown by an estimated 31.2%. Asian residents' share of Petersburg's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Petersburg is more Asian than neighboring Ettrick (0.6% Asian), Matoaca (0% Asian), and Prince George (0% Asian). Petersburg is less Asian than neighboring Colonial Heights (3.7% Asian), and Fort Lee (4.6% Asian).

Petersburg's Hispanic Population

2,183 residents of Petersburg, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Petersburg is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Petersburg ranks 290th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Petersburg's population has increased from 5.9% to 6.5%.

Petersburg is more Hispanic than neighboring Matoaca (5.5% Hispanic), and Prince George (1% Hispanic). Petersburg is less Hispanic than neighboring Ettrick (6.8% Hispanic), Colonial Heights (8.3% Hispanic), and Fort Lee (26.9% Hispanic).

Petersburg's Native American/Other Population

111 residents of Petersburg, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Petersburg is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Petersburg ranks 150th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 65.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Petersburg's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Petersburg is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ettrick (0% Native American/Other), Matoaca (0% Native American/Other), and Prince George (0% Native American/Other). Petersburg is less Native American/Other than neighboring Colonial Heights (0.5% Native American/Other), and Fort Lee (3.1% Native American/Other).

Petersburg's Multiracial Population

1,102 residents of Petersburg, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Petersburg is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Petersburg ranks 441st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Petersburg's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Petersburg's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.3%.

Petersburg is more Multiracial than neighboring Ettrick (2.8% Multiracial), and Prince George (0% Multiracial). Petersburg is less Multiracial than neighboring Colonial Heights (3.5% Multiracial), Fort Lee (4.9% Multiracial), and Matoaca (5.3% 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.