Virginia

Lancaster

10,919

2020 population

1790

first census record

census records

About Lancaster

Lancaster, Virginia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 5,638. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 10,919.

Its recorded population peaked at 11,567 in 2000, and has since declined by roughly 6 percent.

On the ground today, 14 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census Year	Population	Chart
2020	10,919
2010	11,391
2000	11,567
1990	10,896
1980	10,129
1970	9,126
1960	9,174
1950	8,640
1940	8,786
1930	8,896
1920	9,757
1910	9,752
1900	8,949
1890	7,191
1880	6,160
1870	5,355
1860	5,151
1850	4,708
1840	4,628
1830	4,801
1820	5,517
1810	5,592
1800	5,375
1790	5,638

Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Lancaster

National Register of Historic Places listings in Lancaster, Virginia.

Corotoman

Weems

St. Mary's Whitechapel

Lively

Lancaster Court House Historic District

Village of Morattico Historic District

Morattico

Belle Isle

Lancaster

Grace Episcopal Church

Kilmarnock

Browse all Virginiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Virginia

Explore census history and historic records for more Virginia counties.

Hanover Harrisonburg Harrisonburg city Henrico Henry Highland Hopewell Hopewell city Independent City Isle of Wight James City King and Queen King George King William Lee Lexington Lexington city Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Lancaster County, Virginia

This page charts the census history of Lancaster County, Virginia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Lancaster County, Virginia report

Or see a real report first

Explore Virginia records

Virginiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Virginia›

Frequently asked about Lancaster

When does Lancaster first appear in the US census?

Lancaster, Virginia first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 5,638.

What is the population of Lancaster?

At the most recent federal census (2020), Lancaster had a recorded population of 10,919.

When did Lancaster's population peak?

Lancaster's recorded population peaked at 11,567 in 2000.

How many historic places are in Lancaster?

14 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Lancaster, Virginia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report