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Area served: Amelia County, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights City, Cumberland County, Dinwiddie County, Essex County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Hopewell City, King William County, King and Queen County, Lancaster County, Middlesex County, New Kent County, Petersburg City, Powhatan County, Prince George County, Richmond County, Richmond City, Surry County.
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The ACS estimates about 635, give or take 173 civilian veterans in Essex County.
Among Virginia's 133 counties and equivalents, Essex County ranks 117th by its estimated number of veterans.
Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
Measure
Essex County
Virginia
United States
Share with a service-connected rating
32 percent
below the Virginia share; above the national share.
35 percent
30 percent
Share rated 70 percent or higher
22 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans 75 and older in Essex County number about 189, give or take 55; their 30 percent share is above Virginia's 19 percent.
Veterans under 35 account for 3 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Essex County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.
Women veterans account for 4 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Essex County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.
Income, work and education in Essex County
Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
Measure
Essex County
Virginia
United States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$46,389 ± $12,318
$73,248 ± $784
$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$31,990 ± $2,661
$44,636 ± $229
$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over
11.2% ± 10.5 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over
28.0% ± 13.4 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64
48.6% ± 19.0 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64
0.0% ± 23.8 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over
81.3% ± 13.6 points
96.4% ± 0.2 points
95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over
25.7% ± 10.9 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.
VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035. VetPop2023 projections for small counties show direction only. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in Essex County
VA reports 256 veterans in Essex County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
In 2025, lenders reported 28 VA-backed home loans out of 292 home loans made in Essex County (9.6% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 205, give or take 87) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 157, give or take 90; a small survey sample; treat as rough).
No sites from these two federal datasets were mapped to Essex County.
For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.
Veterans experiencing homelessness
On one night in January 2024, Virginia Balance of State (BoS) CoC counted 37 veterans experiencing homelessness (16 sheltered, 21 unsheltered).
VA-521 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.
The HUD workbook reports 30 veterans for the 2019 comparison.
This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.
If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.
Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.
Qualifying Virginia veterans with permanent and total disability at 100 percent, including individual unemployability, receive a principal residence and land exemption.
Virginia waives eight semesters of public college tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying spouses and children of veterans rated at least 90 percent permanently disabled.
Claim Raven is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney or claims agent. Listings come from VA's public accreditation records. Paid placements are advertising. Check an attorney's accreditation on VA's accreditation search (opens in a new tab) before you hire them.
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