Virginia · Metropolitan Area
Amherst is a small town in Virginia with a population of 2,124. Residents earn $71,313 per year, which is 5% below the national average.
Based on current data, Amherst receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Amherst offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Amherst is $71,313, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Amherst is $213,300, 24% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $686 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Amherst is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 90 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 903 per 100,000, 54% below the national average.
23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.
Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
| English Only | 94.2% |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 5.8% |
| 57% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $71,313 |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $37,964 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $909 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $59,960 |
| Unemployment | 0.8% |
| 78% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 2.1% |
| 83% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 795 |
| County GDP | $1,099M |
| Restaurants | 48 |
| Healthcare | 45 |
| Retail | 91 |
| Manufacturing | 37 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $1,885 |
| 46% below US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.88% |
| Commute Time | 19.5 min |
| Work from Home | 11.4% |
| Census Median | $213,300 |
| 24% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $282,888 |
| Census Median Rent | $686 |
| 41% below US avg |
| Studio | $1,027 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,033 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,187 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,635 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,750 |
| Owner-Occupied | 69.9% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $1,885 |
| 46% below US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.88% |
| Obesity | 39.8% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 11.9% |
| Heart Disease | 5.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 34.9% |
| Asthma | 11.7% |
| COPD | 6.8% |
| Stroke | 3.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 15.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.0% |
| Depression | 24.6% |
| Mental Distress | 19.2% |
| Physical Distress | 13.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 94.1% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.4% |
| Premature Death | 10,404/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 83.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 45 |
| Total Violent | 90.3/100K |
| 76% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 90.3/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 0.0/100K |
| Total Property | 902.5/100K |
| 54% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 180.5/100K |
| Theft | 676.9/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 45.1/100K |
| Arson | 45.1/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 683 ft (208 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 433/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5819°N, 79.0520°W |
| County FIPS | 51009 |
Winner: Republican by 36.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% |
| 29% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 89.0% |
| School Test Score | 5.40 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 433/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.9 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 1 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 2 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 45 |
| Restaurants | 48 |
| Retail Stores | 91 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Avg Commute | 19.5 min |
| Work from Home | 11.4% |