Amherst ZIP Codes — Amherst County, VA

There is one unique ZIP code in Amherst, Virginia and it is 24521. Area code: 434.

ZIP codes

217.14

sq mi land

1.08

sq mi water

434

area code

Amherst, VA ZIP code map

About Amherst, VA

Amherst is a charming town located in central Virginia, known for its picturesque scenery and rich history. It serves as the county seat of Amherst County and boasts a close-knit community atmosphere. The town is surrounded by natural beauty, making it an attractive destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

Location & geography

Amherst is conveniently situated near several notable cities; it lies approximately 15 miles from Lynchburg, 28 miles from Charlottesville, 40 miles from Buena Vista, and 42 miles from Lexington. The town's land area spans 217.14 square miles, characterized by rolling hills and lush landscapes, while its water area measures 1.08 square miles. This diverse geography not only contributes to its beauty but also offers various recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Amherst is defined by its friendly and welcoming residents, creating a warm small-town vibe. Industries in the area primarily focus on agriculture, education, and healthcare, contributing to a stable local economy. Daily life embodies a blend of rural tranquility and access to modern amenities, with community events and local gatherings being integral to the culture.

Transportation

Amherst is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 29, which connects it to other regional hubs. The nearest named airport is the Lynchburg Regional Airport, located about 20 miles from the town, providing convenient air travel options. Public transit options are limited, so residents typically rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Amherst was founded in the early 18th century and has played a significant role in the local history of Virginia. The town developed primarily around agricultural industries, which remain influential today. Notable events in Amherst's history include notable Civil War activities and the establishment of local educational institutions, reflecting its commitment to community development.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Amherst is that it is home to the historic Oak Ridge estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This site reflects the town's rich cultural heritage and is a point of interest for visitors and history enthusiasts alike.

ZIP codes for Amherst, VA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
24521	Amherst	Amherst	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,955

Population

46.8

Median age

$64,700

Median household income

$38,171

Per capita income

$206,900

Median home value

$831

Median monthly rent

75.4%

Home ownership

12.2%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

3,690

Housing units

25.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

206

Under 5

222

273

5–9

295

258

10–14

278

322

15–19

347

181

20–24

196

551

25–34

594

489

35–44

526

648

45–54

699

326

55–59

352

438

60–64

473

608

65–74

655

353

75–84

381

137

85+

147

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,935	19.4%
18 and over	8,020	80.6%
65 and over	2,281	22.9%
Median age	46.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 71.9%

Black or African American 13.7%

Hispanic or Latino 5.1%

Two or more races 4.9%

Other race 2.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	7,539	71.9%
Black or African American	1,442	13.7%
Hispanic or Latino	537	5.1%
Two or more races	510	4.9%
Other race	287	2.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	142	1.4%
Asian	30	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 5.0%

$10k–$15k 3.8%

$15k–$25k 12.1%

$25k–$35k 9.7%

$35k–$50k 10.2%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 16.1%

$150k–$200k 8.3%

$200k+ 7.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.0%
$10k–$15k	3.8%
$15k–$25k	12.1%
$25k–$35k	9.7%
$35k–$50k	10.2%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	9.8%
$100k–$150k	16.1%
$150k–$200k	8.3%
$200k+	7.6%
Median income	$64,700

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.5%

$50k–$100k 7.3%

$100k–$150k 19.1%

$150k–$200k 16.8%

$200k–$300k 31.2%

$300k–$500k 13.0%

$500k–$1M 7.1%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$206,900
Median rent / month	$831
Owner occupied	75.4%
Renter occupied	24.6%
Vacant	12.6%
Single-family detached	77.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.1%
Mobile homes	12.8%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.41

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	2.3%
2000–2009	9.9%
1990–1999	18.3%
1980–1989	13.6%
1970–1979	18.8%
1960–1969	9.9%
1950–1959	12.5%
1940–1949	5.9%
1939 or earlier	8.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	4.5%
2 bedrooms	14.4%
3 bedrooms	59.4%
4 bedrooms	14.6%
5+ bedrooms	6.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.6%
1 vehicle	25.7%
2 vehicles	29.8%
3 or more	41.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.5%
Electricity	82.0%
Propane / LP gas	3.6%
Fuel oil	6.5%
Wood	5.7%
No fuel used	1.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,045	49.8%
Cohabiting couple	425	10.3%
Male householder, no spouse	566	13.8%
Female householder, no spouse	1,072	26.1%
Households with children under 18	969	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,558	37.9%
Average household size	2.37

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.8%	20.6%
Married	54.7%	50.0%
Separated	1.1%	4.1%
Widowed	3.4%	15.2%
Divorced	12.9%	10.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.4%

Some HS, no diploma 8.6%

HS graduate 36.6%

Some college, no degree 14.4%

Associate's degree 8.2%

Bachelor's degree 15.6%

Graduate / professional 10.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.0%
Bachelor's or higher	25.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	214	10.6%
Kindergarten	154	7.6%
Elementary school	890	44.0%
High school	449	22.2%
College / grad school	317	15.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.9%

Manufacturing 15.4%

Construction 11.4%

Retail trade 8.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Public administration 7.4%

Professional & management 6.7%

Other services 6.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.3%

Finance & real estate 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Information 1.6%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.8%
Service	14.9%
Sales & office	15.9%
Natural resources & construction	13.8%
Production & transportation	18.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.9%
Government	20.4%
Self-employed	6.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.0%
Carpool	7.3%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.8

Poverty

All people 12.2%

Under 18 years 18.1%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 2.9%

Female-led households 21.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	31.5%
Supplemental Security	4.7%
Cash public assistance	1.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.7%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	31.0%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	26.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.6%
Fair or poor health	18.9%
Poor mental health	14.4%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	13.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	62.4%
Cholesterol screening	91.2%
Teeth loss	15.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	539	6.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.8%
Under 18	5.4%
18–64 years	11.5%
65 and over	32.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.7%
Public insurance	40.7%
Uninsured under 19	7.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,527	95.7%
Spanish	69	0.7%
Other Indo-European	52	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	17	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,654	97.0%
Born in same state	9,570	96.1%
Born in different state	7,294	73.3%
Foreign born	84	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	301	3.0%
Not a US citizen	130	43.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	2,451	24.6%
French	1,090	10.9%
Italian	844	8.5%
Polish	71	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	44	0.4%
English	29	0.3%
German	10	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	85.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Amherst, VA have?

Amherst, VA has one ZIP code: 24521. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.