Living in Petersburg, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Petersburg · Census data 2020–2024
Petersburg has 33,537 residents with a median age of 35.8. The median household income is $50,698 (46% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $189,000, the median rent is $1,174/month.
Petersburg at a glance
- Population
- 33,537
- Median age
- 35.8State: 39
- Median household income
- $50,698State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $189,000State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $1,174/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 38.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.4%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Petersburg a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 21.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Petersburg
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Petersburg the median home value is $189,000, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,174 per month, which is 30.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,401 a month in housing costs.
Petersburg median household income
The median household income in Petersburg is $50,698 and the income per person is $29,418. 21.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Petersburg: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 18,075
- Owner-occupied
- 38.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 61.4%
- Vacant
- 16.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 2.18
Petersburg demographics
- Population
- 33,537
- Median age
- 35.8
- Under 18
- 23.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.8%
- Households
- 15,138
- Foreign-born
- 4.5%
- Veterans
- 10.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Petersburg ›
Education in Petersburg
25.4% of adults 25 and older in Petersburg have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 10.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Petersburg
- Unemployment rate
- 10%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 10%
- Drive alone
- 73.4%
- Public transit
- 3.7%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.5%
Petersburg vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | 33,537 | $50,698 | $189,000 | $1,174 |
| Ettrick | 5,910 | $58,137 | $211,200 | $1,191 |
| Colonial Heights | 18,352 | $76,505 | $246,600 | $1,234 |
| Matoaca | 2,724 | $70,174 | $251,000 | $1,039 |
| Prince George | 1,829 | $61,571 | — | $1,625 |
| Hopewell | 22,959 | $54,729 | $181,600 | $1,106 |
| Enon | 4,137 | $76,341 | $253,600 | $1,770 |
| Chester | 24,474 | $95,104 | $327,200 | $1,603 |
| Dinwiddie | 589 | $104,205 | $329,100 | — |
More for people moving to Petersburg
Petersburg ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Petersburg: FAQ
What is the median household income in Petersburg, VA?
The median household income in Petersburg is $50,698, 46% 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 Petersburg?
The median home value in Petersburg is $189,000, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Petersburg?
The median gross rent in Petersburg is $1,174 per month, about 30.7% of household income.
Is Petersburg, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 21.7%.
What is the median age in Petersburg?
The median age in Petersburg is 35.8 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Petersburg?
The average commute to work in Petersburg is 26 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Petersburg?
The unemployment rate in Petersburg is 10% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Petersburg?
25.4% of adults in Petersburg 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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