Living in Amherst, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Amherst · Census data 2020–2024
Amherst has 1,865 residents with a median age of 50.3. The median household income is $70,841 (24% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $220,700, the median rent is $718/month.
Amherst at a glance
- Population
- 1,865
- Median age
- 50.3State: 39
- Median household income
- $70,841State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $220,700State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $718/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 70.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.7%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Amherst a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 0%; a poverty rate of 9.1%.
Cons: Median household income 24% lower than the Virginia median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Amherst
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Amherst the median home value is $220,700, 34% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $718 per month, which is 28.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,192 a month in housing costs.
Amherst median household income
The median household income in Amherst is $70,841 and the income per person is $39,407. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Amherst: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 948
- Owner-occupied
- 70.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.6%
- Vacant
- 8.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 1.98
Amherst demographics
- Population
- 1,865
- Median age
- 50.3
- Under 18
- 15.8%
- 65 and older
- 30.8%
- Households
- 865
- Foreign-born
- 0.6%
- Veterans
- 8.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Amherst ›
Education in Amherst
25.7% of adults 25 and older in Amherst have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 9.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Amherst
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 14.7%
- Drive alone
- 72%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.9%
Amherst vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | 1,865 | $70,841 | $220,700 | $718 |
| Madison Heights | 10,266 | $60,215 | $191,300 | $871 |
| Lynchburg | 79,497 | $57,947 | $229,800 | $1,073 |
| Shipman | 472 | $49,301 | $234,700 | $1,068 |
| Concord | 1,462 | $71,058 | $227,600 | $771 |
| Forest | 13,430 | $81,552 | $319,800 | $1,315 |
| Buena Vista | 6,593 | $57,833 | $156,200 | $1,112 |
| Appomattox | 2,084 | $51,875 | $162,300 | $905 |
| Yogaville | 288 | $48,750 | $408,500 | $609 |
More for people moving to Amherst
Amherst ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Amherst: FAQ
What is the median household income in Amherst, VA?
The median household income in Amherst is $70,841, 24% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Amherst?
The median home value in Amherst is $220,700, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Amherst?
The median gross rent in Amherst is $718 per month, about 28.8% of household income.
Is Amherst, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 0%; a poverty rate of 9.1%. Minuses: median household income 24% lower than the Virginia median.
What is the median age in Amherst?
The median age in Amherst is 50.3 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Amherst?
The average commute to work in Amherst is 20 minutes; 14.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Amherst?
The unemployment rate in Amherst is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Amherst?
25.7% of adults in Amherst have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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