Adjacent counties

• Richmond County – northwest
• Northumberland County – north
• Middlesex County – south and southwest

Major highways

• SR 3
• SR 200
• SR 201
• SR 222
• SR 354

2020 census

2000 Census

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 11,567 people, 5,004 households, and 3,412 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 people per square mile (34 people/km²). There were 6,498 housing units at an average density of 49 units per square mile (19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.95% White, 28.88% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,004 households, out of which 21.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.00% under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 19.60% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 28.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.50 males.

Type of workers for this country are: Private wage or salary (72%); Government (15%); and Self-employed (12%).^[11] The median income for a household in the county was $33,239, and the median income for a family was $42,957. Males had a median income of $30,592 versus $23,039 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,663. Approximately 9.90% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.

Board of Supervisors

• District 1: Craig H. Giese (R)
• District 2: Ernest W. Palin, Jr., Chair (I)
• District 3: Jason D. Bellows, Vice Chair (I)
• District 4: William R. Lee (I)
• District 5: William C. Smith (I)

Constitutional officers

• Clerk of the Circuit Court: Diane H. Mumford (I)
• Commissioner of the Revenue: Marlon Savoy
• Commonwealth Attorney: Anthony Spencer (R)
• Sheriff: Patrick McCranie (R)
• Treasurer: Bonnie J. Dickson

Lancaster is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican Margaret Bevans Ransone in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Towns

• Irvington
• Kilmarnock
• White Stone

Census-designated places

• Lancaster
• Weems

Other unincorporated communities