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Chester, VA
Census-designated place in Chesterfield County, Virginia. ZIP codes: 23831.
Population
24,474
Land area
13.2sq mi
People per sq mi
1,860
ZIP codes
1
Chester and its ZIP codes
Chester at a glance
- Chester is about 8.4 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 49th among 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
- The median household income is $95,104, close to the Virginia median.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $327,200 (15% below Virginia) and median rent is $1,603 a month.
Local data for Chester, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Chester, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$95,104
Poverty rate
8.1%
Median home value
$327,200
Median rent
$1,603/mo
Homeownership
71.3%
Bachelor's or higher
33.8%
Median age
38.7
Average commute
27.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,083), German Americans (1,992), Salvadoran Americans (1,266).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Chesterfield County. PPP loans are for Chester.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, +0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$63,057
148,684 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$69,378
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$2.42B
FY 2026, $6,643 per person
PPP loans
$43.12M
775 loans, 6,373 jobs reported
How people get to work
Chester, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.6%
- Carpooled7.7%
- Public transit0.8%
- Walked0.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.0%
- Worked from home17.4%
Average one-way commute: 27.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Chester, VA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: earthquake
Storm events since 1996
623
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
702
0.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 28°F
47.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Chester, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.3%
U.S. 33.3% +4.0 pts
Diabetes
12.7%
U.S. 12.1% +0.6 pts
Smoking
12.7%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
9.3%
U.S. 11.1% -1.8 pts
ZIP codes in Chester
1 in or overlapping Chester. Population shown
Cities near Chester
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| BellwoodCensus-designated place | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| MeadowbrookCensus-designated place | 6.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Colonial HeightsCity | 6.1 mi | 7.5 |
| EnonCensus-designated place | 6.6 mi | 4.3 |
| BensleyCensus-designated place | 6.7 mi | 2.9 |
| EttrickCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 3 |
| MatoacaCensus-designated place | 8.2 mi | 2.6 |
| HopewellCity | 8.9 mi | 10.4 |
| Fort LeeCensus-designated place | 9.7 mi | 6 |
| PetersburgCity | 10 mi | 22.7 |
| RockwoodCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 5.4 |
| ManchesterCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 5.9 |
| RichmondCity | 12 mi | 59.9 |
| MontroseCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 3.2 |
| Prince GeorgeCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 6.3 |
| SandstonCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 9.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Chester, VA in?
- Chester is in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
- What ZIP codes are in Chester, VA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Chester include 23831.
- What is the population of Chester, VA?
- About 24,474 people live in Chester, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Chester?
- Nearby places include Bellwood (4.2 mi), Meadowbrook (6.1 mi), Colonial Heights (6.1 mi), Enon (6.6 mi), Bensley (6.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023