Russell County Demographics

A map of Russell County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	24,673	24,754	96.6%	96.0%
Black	277	222	1.1%	0.9%
Multiracial	265	552	1.0%	2.1%
Hispanic	180	168	0.7%	0.7%
Native American/Other	120	43	0.5%	0.2%
Asian	23	42	0.1%	0.2%

Russell County, Virginia has an estimated population of 25,538, a less than 1% change from the 25,781 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 96.6% White, 1.1% Black, 1.0% Multiracial, 0.7% Hispanic, 0.5% Native American/Other, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Russell County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Russell 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 Russell County, that probability was 7.8% in 2020 and 6.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Russell County is ranked the 70th most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Russell County was ranked the 67th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Russell County's White Population

24,673 residents of Russell County, or 96.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Russell County is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Russell County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Russell County's population has increased from 96.0% to 96.6%.

Russell County is more White than neighboring Washington County (94.1% White), Bristol County (84.5% White), Buchanan County (93.2% White), and Sullivan County (91.6% White). Russell County is less White than neighboring Dickenson County (97.4% White).

Russell County's Black Population

277 residents of Russell County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Russell County is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Russell County ranks 127th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Black population has grown by an estimated 24.8%. Black residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Russell County is more Black than neighboring Dickenson County (1% Black). Russell County is less Black than neighboring Washington County (1.8% Black), Bristol County (5.8% Black), Buchanan County (3.8% Black), and Sullivan County (2% Black).

Russell County's Asian Population

23 residents of Russell County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Russell County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Russell County ranks 128th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 45.2%. Asian residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Russell County is less Asian than neighboring Washington County (0.5% Asian), Bristol County (0.5% Asian), Buchanan County (0.8% Asian), and Sullivan County (0.7% Asian).

Russell County's Hispanic Population

180 residents of Russell County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Russell County is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Russell County ranks 132nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Russell County is less Hispanic than neighboring Washington County (1.9% Hispanic), Bristol County (2.8% Hispanic), Buchanan County (1.1% Hispanic), and Sullivan County (2.6% Hispanic).

Russell County's Native American/Other Population

120 residents of Russell County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Russell County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Russell County ranks 131st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 179.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Russell County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Washington County (0.2% Native American/Other), Dickenson County (0.2% Native American/Other), Buchanan County (0.1% Native American/Other), and Sullivan County (0.4% Native American/Other). Russell County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bristol County (1.9% Native American/Other).

Russell County's Multiracial Population

265 residents of Russell County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Russell County is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Russell County ranks 128th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 52.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Russell County's population has decreased from 2.1% to 1.0%.

Russell County is more Multiracial than neighboring Dickenson County (0.5% Multiracial). Russell County is less Multiracial than neighboring Washington County (1.6% Multiracial), Bristol County (4.7% Multiracial), and Sullivan County (2.6% 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.