Chesapeake city, VA

County

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2024 Population

252,583

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

37.9

0.531% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

9.42%

8.43% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$95,373

1.26% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$378,400

5.37% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

118,688

0.658% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Chesapeake city, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98% of the residents in Chesapeake city, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chesapeake city, VA are Centura College-Chesapeake (264 degrees awarded in 2023) and Sentara College of Health Sciences (156 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Chesapeake city, VA was $378,400, and the homeownership rate was 74.4%.

Most people in Chesapeake city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Chesapeake city, VA was 2 cars per household.

Chesapeake city, VA borders Camden County, NC, Currituck County, NC, Norfolk city, VA, Portsmouth city, VA, Suffolk city, VA, and Virginia Beach city, VA.

Photo by Alan Wilson

United States Virginia Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Population & Diversity

Chesapeake city, VA is home to a population of 253k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.81% of Chesapeake city, VA residents were born outside of the country (14.7k people).

In 2024, there were 1.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (136k people) in Chesapeake city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 71.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 11.6k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2024 Citizenship

97.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98% of Chesapeake city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Chesapeake city, VA was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chesapeake city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Chesapeake city, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
136k ± 986
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
71.9k ± 1.02k
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
11.6k ± 1.12k

7.68%

Hispanic Population

19.4k people

7.68% of the people in Chesapeake city, VA are hispanic (19.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Chesapeake city, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
107,827 ± 8,012 people
India
97,961 ± 7,641 people
Mexico
63,695 ± 6,173 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 107,827 Virginia residents, followed by India with 97,961 and Mexico with 63,695.

Foreign-Born Population

5.81%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

14.7k people

6.13%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

15.4k people

As of 2024, 5.81% of Chesapeake city, VA residents (14.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chesapeake city, VA was 6.13%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chesapeake city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
14,389 ± 1,236
Gulf War (1990s)
5,436 ± 672
Vietnam
4,671 ± 408

Chesapeake city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.65 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Chesapeake city, VA.

Economy

The economy of Chesapeake city, VA employs 119k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Chesapeake city, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (17,092 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,698 people), and Educational Services (11,085 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($101,779), Utilities ($96,154), and Public Administration ($84,625).

Employment

Occupations

119k

2024 Value

± 3,082

0.658%

1 Year growth

± 3.64%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Chesapeake city, VA grew at a rate of 0.658%, from 118k employees to 119k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chesapeake city, VA, are Management Occupations (13,094 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,496 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (10,105 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chesapeake city, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

119k

2024 Value

± 3,082

0.658%

1 Year growth

± 3.64%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Chesapeake city, VA grew at a rate of 0.658%, from 118k employees to 119k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chesapeake city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,092 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (11,698 people), and Educational Services (11,085 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chesapeake city, VA, though some of these residents may live in Chesapeake city, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$63,748

Median earning men ± $2,042

$42,735

Median earning women ± $1,604

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($92,864), Manufacturing ($79,714), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($77,079).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($80,648), Public Administration ($70,261), and Manufacturing ($64,956).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

438
Construction
375
Other Services (except Public Administration)
326
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$691k
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
$688k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$598k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Chesapeake city, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Chesapeake city, VA awarded 420 degrees. The student population of Chesapeake city, VA in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 46 male students and 479 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chesapeake city, VA are Black or African American (171 and 40.7%), White (149 and 35.5%), Hispanic or Latino (34 and 8.1%), and Two or More Races (34 and 8.1%).

The largest universities in Chesapeake city, VA by number of degrees awarded are Centura College-Chesapeake (264 and 62.9%) and Sentara College of Health Sciences (156 and 37.1%).

The most popular majors in Chesapeake city, VA are Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (109 and 26%), Registered Nursing (108 and 25.7%), and Medical Office Assistant (84 and 20%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $400.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 525 students enrolled in Chesapeake city, VA, 8.76% men and 91.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 229 records, of which 93.4% were women and 6.55% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist
109 degrees awarded
Massage Therapy
47 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Chesapeake city, VA was Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist with 109 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Chesapeake city, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Centura College-Chesapeake
264 degrees awarded
Sentara College of Health Sciences
156 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Centura College-Chesapeake with 264 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 30 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chesapeake city, VA, which is 0.0769 times less than the 390 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 171 degrees mean that there were 1.15 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 149 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,484) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($3,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Chesapeake city, VA was $378,400 in 2024, which is 1.14 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $359,100 to $378,400, a 5.37% increase. The homeownership rate in Chesapeake city, VA is 74.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Chesapeake city, VA have an average commute time of 25.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Chesapeake city, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Chesapeake city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.21%.

Housing

Property

$378,400

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,621

$69,615

Median Property Taxes

±$1,987

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chesapeake city, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Chesapeake city, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

74.4%

Homeownership

2024

67.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 74.4% of the housing units in Chesapeake city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 73.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Chesapeake city, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$95,373

Median Household Income

± $2,728

93.6k

Number of Households

± 2,701

In 2024, the median household income of the 93.6k households in Chesapeake city, VA grew to $95,373 from the previous year's value of $94,189.

The following chart displays the households in Chesapeake city, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Chesapeake city, VA is from Virginia.

0.472

2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2023, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.599% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (75.7%)
Worked At Home (13.1%)
Carpooled (8%)

In 2024, 75.7% of workers in Chesapeake city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.1%) and those who carpooled to work (8%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

25.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chesapeake city, VA have a shorter commute time (25.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.42% of the workforce in Chesapeake city, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chesapeake city, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chesapeake city, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chesapeake city, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Chesapeake city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.21%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

9.42% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chesapeake city, VA (23.4k out of 248k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chesapeake city, VA is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 12.3% of the children was living in poverty in Chesapeake city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 423 in Chesapeake city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 27.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

94.2% of the population of Chesapeake city, VA has health coverage, with 42.6% on employee plans, 12% on Medicaid, 9.38% on Medicare, 19.2% on non-group plans, and 11% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Chesapeake city, VA see 1,282 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,282 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1927 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 475 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,282 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Chesapeake city, VA

Primary care physicians in Chesapeake city, VA see an average of 1,282 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,282 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Chesapeake city, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.6% under 18 years, 19.1% between 18 and 34 years, 39.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 15% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.6% were men and 52.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.83%

Uninsured

42.6%

Employer Coverage

12%

Medicaid

9.38%

Medicare

19.2%

Non-Group

11%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chesapeake city, VA declined by 12.1% from 6.63% to 5.83%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chesapeake city, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 48.7 in Chesapeake city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Chesapeake city, VA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 41.2% in Chesapeake city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Chesapeake city, VA.