As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county.
 The population density was 108 people per square mile (41/km²).
 There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile (24/km²).
 The racial makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 9.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races.
 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,932 households, out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families.
24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
 The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.90% under the age of 18, 5.20% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.60% who were 65 years of age or older.
 The median age was 46 years.
For every 100 females there were 93.20 males.
 For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,222, and the median income for a family was $50,653.
Males had a median income of $36,294 versus $23,434 for females.
The per capita income for the county was $23,610.
 6.00% of the population and 4.30% of families were below the poverty line.
 Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.50% are under the age of 18 and 4.80% are 65 or older.

Tourism, leisure, and fishing industries are the major sources of employment.
Mathews County is one of the few counties in Virginia without a traffic signal. (
Bath County is another.)
Along State Route 223 at Gwynn's Island, there is a small drawbridge which is manned 24 hours daily.
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,978 people, 3,932 households, and 2,823 families residing in the county.  The population density was 108 people per square mile (41/km²).  There were 5,333 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile (24/km²).  The racial makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 9.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races.  1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,932 households, out of which 24.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.20% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.75.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.90% under the age of 18, 5.20% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 30.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.60% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,222, and the median income for a family was $50,653. Males had a median income of $36,294 versus $23,434 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,610.  6.00% of the population and 4.30% of families were below the poverty line.  Out of the total people living in poverty, 7.50% are under the age of 18 and 4.80% are 65 or older.
Tourism, leisure, and fishing industries are the major sources of employment. Mathews County is one of the few counties in Virginia without a traffic signal. (Bath County is another.) Along State Route 223 at Gwynn's Island, there is a small drawbridge which is manned 24 hours daily.
Mathews County, Virginia