The Chesterfield County Demographic and Economic Profile
April 2009
Table of Contents
Demographic Trends
According to data from the 2000 U.S. Census, Chesterfield County is the fourth largest county in Virginia and its fifth largest jurisdiction. The county's population growth from 1990 to 2000 accounted for almost 6 percent of the population growth in the commonwealth and was exceeded only by Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.
Although the future growth is expected to by lower than in recent years, Chesterfield County's population is still projected to grow by an average of 5,000 persons per year for the next ten years.
The 2000 Census shows that the median age of Chesterfield's population was 35.7 years, compared to 31.9 in 1990. Although this reflects a national trend toward an aging population, there is a much higher percentage of people under 18 in Chesterfield (28.3 percent) compared to all of Virginia (24.6 percent) and a lower percentage of persons over 65 (8.1 percent compared to 11.2 percent).
Traditional family makeup in the county is changing as can be seen by the 47 percent growth in female headed families from 1990 through 2000. Another significant change for Chesterfield is that although the population increased by 24 percent, the number of traditional families (mom, dad and kids) increased by only 5 percent. As in 1990, the number of households without children was greater than those with children.
For 2000 this was 56 percent of all households, as compared to 1990, which was 53 percent. Even though both household types increased, those without children increased more rapidly. Information on income reflects Chesterfield County's relative affluence. Chesterfield
continues to lead the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Area* in median household income, determined to be $69,409 for 2007. This is 1.17 times greater than the state median, and 1.22 times greater than the metro area median.
Although the future growth is expected to by lower than in recent years, Chesterfield County's population is still projected to grow by an average of 5,000 persons per year for the next ten years.
The 2000 Census shows that the median age of Chesterfield's population was 35.7 years, compared to 31.9 in 1990. Although this reflects a national trend toward an aging population, there is a much higher percentage of people under 18 in Chesterfield (28.3 percent) compared to all of Virginia (24.6 percent) and a lower percentage of persons over 65 (8.1 percent compared to 11.2 percent).
Traditional family makeup in the county is changing as can be seen by the 47 percent growth in female headed families from 1990 through 2000. Another significant change for Chesterfield is that although the population increased by 24 percent, the number of traditional families (mom, dad and kids) increased by only 5 percent. As in 1990, the number of households without children was greater than those with children.
For 2000 this was 56 percent of all households, as compared to 1990, which was 53 percent. Even though both household types increased, those without children increased more rapidly. Information on income reflects Chesterfield County's relative affluence. Chesterfield
continues to lead the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Area* in median household income, determined to be $69,409 for 2007. This is 1.17 times greater than the state median, and 1.22 times greater than the metro area median.
Economic Trends
The rapid growth of Chesterfield County's economy is closely linked to the county's emergence as one of the primary suburbs in the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Area, as well as the entire commonwealth. As the county's population has grown, so have the number of businesses providing goods and services. By 2008 Chesterfield had captured almost 25 percent of the region's retail sales dollars.
Due to the recent economic down turn, from 1998 to 2008, the total number of jobs in the county increased at a slower rate (19 percent) than the increase in population (24 percent).
Although Chesterfield's unemployment has risen since 2001, (4.8 percent as of December 2008), this rate remains lower than Virginia (5.2 percent) and the nation (7.1 percent). In 2008, more than 161,000 persons in Chesterfield were employed. The majority of those workers still commute out of the county, but according to the 2000 census, a larger percentage of them stay in Chesterfield than did in 1990. In
addition, more than 33,000 of the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Areas workers commuted into Chesterfield County in 2000.
In the last 10 years, commercial and industrial construction in the county has averaged over 150 new buildings and additions per year, adding more than $888 million in total value.
Due to the recent economic down turn, from 1998 to 2008, the total number of jobs in the county increased at a slower rate (19 percent) than the increase in population (24 percent).
Although Chesterfield's unemployment has risen since 2001, (4.8 percent as of December 2008), this rate remains lower than Virginia (5.2 percent) and the nation (7.1 percent). In 2008, more than 161,000 persons in Chesterfield were employed. The majority of those workers still commute out of the county, but according to the 2000 census, a larger percentage of them stay in Chesterfield than did in 1990. In
addition, more than 33,000 of the Richmond-Petersburg Metropolitan Areas workers commuted into Chesterfield County in 2000.
In the last 10 years, commercial and industrial construction in the county has averaged over 150 new buildings and additions per year, adding more than $888 million in total value.
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