Survey Shows James City County Has Grown Fastest In Triangle

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Historic Triangle is home to 21,207 more people now than in 2000, according to the results of the American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau. James City County experienced the most growth, adding 15,633 residents in 10 years.

The American Community Survey, administered by the Census Bureau, is an ongoing survey that provides communities with data each year. While the census is conducted every 10 years, the ACS is conducted each year. The ACS five-year estimates, tracking information from 2005-2009, were released Dec.14. The results of the 2010 Census will be released in April.

James City County, which has the most land available for construction, saw its population grow at a rate of 3.25 percent, a little above the 3 percent growth rate projected in its most recent comprehensive plan. Its population grew from 48,102 in 2000 to 63,735 in 2009. Women make up 51.4 percent of the population; the median age of the county is 44. The majority of the population is over 25 years old, and the average household has two people. The population is 81.3 percent white, 13.6 percent African American and 3 percent Hispanic or Latino.

The community is well-educated, with 92.3 percent of citizens finishing high school and 45 percent possessing bachelor’s degrees or higher. At home, 8 percent of James City County citizens speak a language other than English. Sixty-three percent of county residents are in the labor force, earning a median household income of $71,988. The county’s per capita income is $37,989. Just over 6 percent of its residents are below the poverty level.

York County’s population grew from 56,299 to 61,140, a difference of 4,843 people. Most of the population is female, with 50.7 percent women and 49.3 percent men. The average age is 39. The population is 78.7 percent white, 13.9 percent African American, 4.2 percent Hispanic or Latino and 4 percent Asian. The average household has 2.57 people, with an average family size of about three people.

Most of York County has completed a high school education or higher, with 94.2 percent earning degrees. Forty-two percent of York County residents possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nearly 70 percent of the population is in the labor force, earning a median household income of $79,189 and median family income of $90,285. The per capita income for the county was $34,723. Nearly 4 percent of York County citizens are living below the poverty level.

The city of Williamsburg’s statistics were heavily influenced by the presence of the College of William and Mary. Of the city’s total population of 12,330, 55.7 percent are female and 44.3 percent are male and the median age is 22. The citizens are 79.2 percent white, 12.5 percent African American, 4.9 percent Asian and 3.4 percent Hispanic or Latino. The average household size is just under two people, and only half of the city’s housing units are occupied by owners; the other 49.8 percent are occupied by renters.

In the city, 91.6 percent of citizens have graduated from high school or pursued higher education; 48.3 percent have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher. Less than half of the population is in the labor force, with only 46.3 percent of citizens working; this is influenced by the college population and the retirees. The median household income is $41,236 and the median family income is $66,051; the per capita income is $19,898. Nearly 19 percent of Williamsburg citizens live below the poverty level.

In Virginia, the resident population grew 13 percent to a population of a little more than 8 million. Nationally, the resident population grew 9.7 percent to 308,745,538. To see more census data, visit the Census website here.