In Most of Virginia, Deaths Outnumber Births

In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia saw a surge in localities with more deaths than births. The map and chart in this visual capture US Census Bureau estimates showing three-quarters of Virginia localities had a negative "natural change" during the year ending June 2021.

Births Minus Deaths per 1,000 Population

<-10
-5
-2
0
2
5
>10

Note: "Natural Change" refers to the population change in an area due to births and deaths, excluding any changes due to migration. In the year ending July 2020, 61 counties in Virginia (excluding cities) had more deaths than births. A year later, the number had grown to 73. Read more in this report.
Source: United States Census Bureau, Population and Housing Estimates for April 2020 to July 2021.
March 26, 2022