Living in Chester, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 24,474 residents with a median age of 38.7. The median household income is $95,104 (about the same as the Virginia median), the median home value is $327,200, the median rent is $1,603/month.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 24,474
- Median age
- 38.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $95,104State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $327,200State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,603/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 71.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.8%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Virginia median; home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.5%; a poverty rate of 8.1%.
Cons: An average commute of 28 minutes.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $327,200, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,603 per month, which is 29.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,739 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $95,104 and the income per person is $41,686. 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,829
- Owner-occupied
- 71.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 28.7%
- Vacant
- 4.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.61
Chester demographics
- Population
- 24,474
- Median age
- 38.7
- Under 18
- 25.4%
- 65 and older
- 15.1%
- Households
- 9,375
- Foreign-born
- 6.7%
- Veterans
- 11.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
33.8% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 10.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 2.5%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 17.4%
- Drive alone
- 72.6%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.2%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 24,474 | $95,104 | $327,200 | $1,603 |
| Bellwood | 7,907 | $47,781 | $225,300 | $1,059 |
| Meadowbrook | 20,749 | $86,054 | $298,500 | $1,583 |
| Enon | 4,137 | $76,341 | $253,600 | $1,770 |
| Colonial Heights | 18,352 | $76,505 | $246,600 | $1,234 |
| Bensley | 5,949 | $50,547 | $218,500 | $1,238 |
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | $211,200 | $1,191 |
| Matoaca | 2,724 | $70,174 | $251,000 | $1,039 |
| Hopewell | 22,959 | $54,729 | $181,600 | $1,106 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, VA?
The median household income in Chester is $95,104, about the same as 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 Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $327,200, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $1,603 per month, about 29.5% of household income.
Is Chester, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Virginia median; home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.5%; a poverty rate of 8.1%. Minuses: an average commute of 28 minutes.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 38.7 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 28 minutes; 17.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 2.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
33.8% of adults in Chester 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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