Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metro Area

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · Metro Area

1,787,235Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 18 counties (10 central, 8 outlying), part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake, VA-NC combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $82,330
Median home value: $340,900
Land area: 3,206 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Virginia Beach City, VA	Central	456,349	$92,968	$382,500
Chesapeake city, VA	Central	252,583	$95,373	$378,400
Norfolk city, VA	Central	233,596	$66,109	$289,900
Newport News city, VA	Central	184,216	$69,634	$260,600
Hampton city, VA	Central	137,557	$69,621	$245,700
Suffolk city, VA	Outlying	98,796	$92,666	$347,400
Portsmouth city, VA	Central	97,190	$60,491	$246,900
James City County, VA	Outlying	81,013	$109,985	$447,200
York County, VA	Central	71,005	$109,956	$433,200
Isle of Wight County, VA	Central	39,974	$95,241	$356,500
Gloucester County, VA	Central	39,526	$84,306	$331,000
Currituck County, NC	Outlying	30,601	$93,511	$378,800
Williamsburg city, VA	Outlying	15,798	$75,604	$428,100
Poquoson city, VA	Central	12,639	$120,972	$400,300
Camden County, NC	Outlying	10,927	$91,078	$337,100
Gates County, NC	Outlying	10,376	$66,333	$170,800
Mathews County, VA	Outlying	8,540	$75,880	$360,900
Surry County, VA	Outlying	6,549	$78,041	$238,800

Largest cities and towns

32 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Virginia Beach, VA	City	456,349	$92,968
Chesapeake, VA	City	252,583	$95,373
Norfolk, VA	City	233,596	$66,109
Newport News, VA	City	184,216	$69,634
Hampton, VA	City	137,557	$69,621
Suffolk, VA	City	98,796	$92,666
Portsmouth, VA	City	97,190	$60,491
Williamsburg, VA	City	15,798	$75,604
Poquoson, VA	City	12,639	$120,972
Gloucester Point, VA	CDP	11,109	$74,001
Smithfield, VA	Town	8,834	$113,158
Carrollton, VA	CDP	8,436	$110,956
Moyock, NC	CDP	5,684	$115,244
Bethel Manor, VA	CDP	4,393	$77,294
Gloucester Courthouse, VA	CDP	3,336	$75,341
Windsor, VA	Town	2,852	$68,661
Benns Church, VA	CDP	1,813	$56,151
Camden, NC	CDP	1,115	$94,412
Rushmere, VA	CDP	1,033	$73,750
Mathews, VA	CDP	941	$55,481
Camptown, VA	CDP	834	$85,560
Coinjock, NC	CDP	543	$68,861
Gwynn, VA	CDP	514	$84,375
Claremont, VA	Town	393	$58,542
Carrsville, VA	CDP	363	$99,453

Also in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake, VA-NC combined area

Elizabeth City, NC · micro · 40,834 Kill Devil Hills, NC · micro · 37,875

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Unemployment

4.8%

College Educated

35.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$82,330

Mean Household Income

$108,118

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.1%

Female

50.9%

Population Split

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English11.4%

German9.2%

Irish8.7%

Italian4.1%

Mexican2.7%

Scottish1.9%

African1.9%

Polish1.7%

French1.6%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.9%Foreign Born

93.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized62.0%

Non-Citizen38.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later33.5%

Before 201066.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

763,678

Median Rent

$1,478/mo

Median Home Value

$340,900

Median Year Built

1983

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

432,146

College Enrollment

22.3%

High School

20.3%

College Educated

35.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.9 min

Drive Alone Rate

74.3%

Public Transit

1.1%

Work From Home

12.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.0%

18-34 Years

24.4%

35-64 Years

37.4%

65+ Years

16.2%

Population Composition

Under 1822.0%

18-3424.4%

35-6437.4%

65+16.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

45.2%

Single Parent

8.0%

Living Alone

29.2%

Avg Size

2.45

Household Types

Married Couples45.2%

Single Parent8.0%

Living Alone29.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$44,050

SNAP Usage

10.7%

Health Insurance

93.4%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k12.8%

$25k - $50k16.1%

$50k - $100k30.2%

$100k+40.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

8.9%

Retail Trade

10.7%

Education & Health Care

23.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

93.4%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

91.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.1%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

97.9

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

120.8

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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