South Boston, VA Demographics

A map of South Boston's Population by Race

South Boston, Virginia has an estimated population of 7,853, a slight decrease from the 7,966 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.0% Black, 41.3% White, 4.9% Hispanic, 1.9% Asian, 1.9% Multiracial, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of South Boston, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

South Boston has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 South Boston, that probability was 56.4% in 2020 and 57.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

South Boston is ranked the 158th 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). South Boston was ranked the 154th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

South Boston's White Population

3,246 residents of South Boston, or 41.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in South Boston is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. South Boston ranks 571st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of South Boston's population has increased from 40.8% to 41.3%.

South Boston is more White than neighboring Mountain Road (20.6% White). South Boston is less White than neighboring Riverdale (88.1% White), Halifax (65.6% White), Cluster Springs (82.8% White), and Scottsburg (49% White).

South Boston's Black Population

3,923 residents of South Boston, or 50.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in South Boston is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. South Boston ranks 31st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.9%. Black residents' share of South Boston's population has decreased from 51.8% to 50.0%.

South Boston is more Black than neighboring Riverdale (7.4% Black), Halifax (29.1% Black), Cluster Springs (2% Black), and Scottsburg (25.5% Black). South Boston is less Black than neighboring Mountain Road (72.6% Black).

South Boston's Asian Population

149 residents of South Boston, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in South Boston is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. South Boston ranks 244th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's Asian population has grown by an estimated 22.1%. Asian residents' share of South Boston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

South Boston is more Asian than neighboring Riverdale (0% Asian), Halifax (1.7% Asian), Mountain Road (0% Asian), Cluster Springs (0% Asian), and Scottsburg (0% Asian).

South Boston's Hispanic Population

384 residents of South Boston, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in South Boston is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. South Boston ranks 417th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 45.5%. Hispanic residents' share of South Boston's population has increased from 3.3% to 4.9%.

South Boston is more Hispanic than neighboring Riverdale (0% Hispanic), Halifax (0.8% Hispanic), and Mountain Road (1.4% Hispanic). South Boston is less Hispanic than neighboring Cluster Springs (15.3% Hispanic), and Scottsburg (15.7% Hispanic).

South Boston's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of South Boston, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in South Boston is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. South Boston ranks 391st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of South Boston's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

South Boston is less Native American/Other than neighboring Riverdale (0.3% Native American/Other).

South Boston's Multiracial Population

151 residents of South Boston, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in South Boston is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. South Boston ranks 600th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, South Boston's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Multiracial residents' share of South Boston's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

South Boston is more Multiracial than neighboring Cluster Springs (0% Multiracial). South Boston is less Multiracial than neighboring Riverdale (4.2% Multiracial), Halifax (2.7% Multiracial), Mountain Road (5.4% Multiracial), and Scottsburg (9.8% 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.