Virginia Downtowns by Population Growth 2010 - 2020 (Norfolk, Richmond: apartments, crime, hotels) - (VA) - City-Data Forum

dbcook1 · 11-22-2021, 09:55 AM

Below are the percent and absolute resident population growth rates for 12 select downtowns in Virginia from the 2010 - 2020 Census.

I decided to do this analysis as I have lived in downtown Lynchburg since 2011 which has seen a ton of residential growth in my time here adding hundreds of new units to the small 1/4 square mile downtown area of which I have taken a keen interest in and tracked all development. By percent growth, downtown Lynchburg was the fastest growing downtown in the state (though it was small to begin with in 2010). Furthermore, at the time of the 2020 Census, an additional 179 units were under construction in downtown Lynchburg so the population is likely around 1,300 today up from 1,071 in 2020 and 491 in 2010. I was curious to see how other downtowns across the state performed as well.

All cities across Virginia saw their downtowns growth significantly over the past 10 years at a rate typically exceeding the overall city population growth rate. Richmond saw an addition of over 10,000 new residents to its urban core, the most in absolute terms in Virginia. I have also provided boundary maps at the bottom for how I determined each cities downtown area for this analysis.

By percent growth:

By absolute growth:

rural & red · 11-22-2021, 12:02 PM

This is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Old Towne Petersburg I find the most exciting. What a day it would be to see Petersburg come back to life. There are glimmers of hope.

Lots of new developments happening there -- from recent improvements to the river trail (unveiled as of a week ago), new businesses moving in, population growth downtown, revitalization of old buildings, etc.

SteelCityRising · 11-22-2021, 12:21 PM

This is awesome analysis! Thank you so much for putting in the effort. It is great to see that VA's major cities are seeing their Downtowns becoming 24/7 neighborhoods again. I feel like 2020-2030 will be another good decade for Downtown residential growth in cities as high office vacancy will encourage developers to transition dated office buildings into more apartments.

Woodlands · 11-22-2021, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rural & red

This is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Old Towne Petersburg I find the most exciting. What a day it would be to see Petersburg come back to life. There are glimmers of hope.

Lots of new developments happening there -- from recent improvements to the river trail (unveiled as of a week ago), new businesses moving in, population growth downtown, revitalization of old buildings, etc.

Ditto.. Petersburg has great potential... I hope to see it continue and wonder in a post covid environment where people can work remotely if it will attract more residents to their downtown area.

NOVAmtneer82 · 11-22-2021, 07:47 PM

Thank you for putting together this detailed analysis- it's an exciting time for Virginia's cities (and in case of Arlington- County but basically also a City). Still looking forward to making a trip down to Lynchburg and seeing downtown and the great places there.

spencer114 · 11-23-2021, 03:23 PM

https://richmondbizsense.com/2021/11...k-state-grant/

This should be a good boost for Petersburg.

I need to get back to Lynchburg. I haven’t been in about 5-6 years. I was really impressed the last time I visited.

mountainrose · 11-25-2021, 10:32 AM

This can’t be right for Charlottesville— we’ve had EXPLOSIVE growth for years now.
9% can’t be accurate.

Kevin_R · 11-25-2021, 11:13 AM

I'm surprised Portsmouth only has 2500 less residents than Norfolk's downtown...... While I'm glad to see all locals growing Hampton Roads had some work to be done, only 10,000 ppl live between Olde Towne Portsmouth and Downtown Norfolk that's sad, consider the beautiful river and connectivity. Richmond is literally growing 10x faster, that's awesome.

sregorat3 · 11-26-2021, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainrose

This can’t be right for Charlottesville— we’ve had EXPLOSIVE growth for years now.
9% can’t be accurate.

I think the small numbers are more a function of the small size that is attributed to the central downtown. There has been a lot of development in that small area but it has been more hotels in businesses. Right outside of that though it is exploded... I think of that coal tipple and all the development around it. The coal tipple is not within that boundary. That being said, there has also been quite a bit of development just outside of the downtown core in Lynchburg, as well. Follow the links below DB Cooks post if you want to see the boundaries of the growth areas he is talking about; it will make more sense then.

Spazkat9696 · 11-26-2021, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin_R

I'm surprised Portsmouth only has 2500 less residents than Norfolk's downtown...... While I'm glad to see all locals growing Hampton Roads had some work to be done, only 10,000 ppl live between Olde Towne Portsmouth and Downtown Norfolk that's sad, consider the beautiful river and connectivity. Richmond is literally growing 10x faster, that's awesome.

I’m honestly surprised Portsmouth isn’t shrinking. Is full of crime and blight. There is also the issue of access from Portsmouth to Norfolk requires a toll or a long detour. We boat on that river in the summer but it’s mostly industrial and military use.