Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population

1.78M

0.858% 1-year decline

2023 Median Age

37.2

0.541% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

10.9%

2.09% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$80,533

4.48% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$318,000

7.47% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

826,079

0.832% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC had a population of 1.78M people with a median age of 37.2 and a median household income of $80,533. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined from 1.8M to 1.78M, a −0.858% decrease and its median household income grew from $77,082 to $80,533, a 4.48% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (53.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (29.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.17%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.97%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.25%).

None of the households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 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.

97.4% of the residents in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Old Dominion University (5,264 degrees awarded in 2023), ECPI University (3,837 degrees), and Tidewater Community College (3,536 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was $318,000, and the homeownership rate was 63.1%.

Most people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 2 cars per household.

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC borders Elizabeth City, NC, Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Richmond, VA.

Photo by Jeff Self

United States North Carolina Virginia

Population & Diversity

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is home to a population of 1.78M people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2023, 6.7% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents were born outside of the country (120k people).

In 2023, there were 1.82 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (946k people) in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 520k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 92.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.4%

2023 Citizenship

97.3%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 97.4% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
946k ± 1.69k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
520k ± 2.76k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
92.2k ± 2.84k

7.81%

Hispanic Population

139k people

7.81% of the people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are hispanic (139k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Virginia and North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
274,363 ± 17,240 people
India
178,603 ± 14,582 people
El Salvador
140,754 ± 12,466 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia and North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 274,363 Virginia and North Carolina residents, followed by India with 178,603 and El Salvador with 140,754.

Foreign-Born Population

6.7%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

120k people

6.65%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

120k people

As of 2023, 6.7% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents (120k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 6.65%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
85,892 ± 2,562
Gulf War (1990s)
40,307 ± 1,545
Vietnam
38,294 ± 1,304

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.13 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC employs 826k people. The largest industries in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (116,474 people), Retail Trade (89,650 people), and Educational Services (79,531 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($77,961), Public Administration ($76,226), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($72,823).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $69,674. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.475, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

826k

2023 Value

± 7,603

−0.832%

1 Year decline

± 1.31%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined at a rate of −0.832%, from 833k employees to 826k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (91,122 people), Management Occupations (85,953 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (77,648 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia and North Carolina (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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

826k

2023 Value

± 7,603

−0.832%

1 Year decline

± 1.31%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined at a rate of −0.832%, from 833k employees to 826k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (116,474 people), Retail Trade (89,650 people), and Educational Services (79,531 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, though some of these residents may live in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$56,422

Median earning men ± $842

$40,471

Median earning women ± $445

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Public Administration ($84,642), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($71,941), and Manufacturing ($70,085).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($62,257), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($52,706), and Manufacturing ($51,275).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,736
Other Services (except Public Administration)
2,592
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,560
Construction

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

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$6.28M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$4.19M
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
$4.08M
Manufacturing

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina and Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 49.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.7%), followed by Other (0.776%).

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Thom Tillis, and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia and North Carolina. 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 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina and Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (49.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (48.7%)
Republican Party
Other (0.776%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina and Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 49.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.7%), followed by Other (0.776%).

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

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia and North Carolina

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

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Thom Tillis, and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing Virginia and North Carolina.

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 and North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Virginia

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Virginia have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2023, universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC awarded 26,686 degrees. The student population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 41,129 male students and 60,479 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (12,563 and 48%), followed by Black or African American (7,897 and 30.2%), Hispanic or Latino (2,177 and 8.33%), and Two or More Races (1,525 and 5.83%).

The largest universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC by number of degrees awarded are Old Dominion University (5,264 and 19.7%), ECPI University (3,837 and 14.4%), and Tidewater Community College (3,536 and 13.3%).

The most popular majors in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Registered Nursing (1,888 and 7.07%), General Business Administration & Management (1,692 and 6.34%), and General Psychology (1,012 and 3.79%).

The median tuition costs in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are $18,169 for private four year colleges, and $8,796 and $25,852 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 64%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 101,608 (40.5% men and 59.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 101,608 students enrolled in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, 40.5% men and 59.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 41,723 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
751 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
584 degrees awarded
General Psychology
945 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was General Business Administration & Management with 751 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Old Dominion University
5,264 degrees awarded
ECPI University
3,837 degrees awarded
Tidewater Community College
3,536 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Old Dominion University with 5,264 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 10,190 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, which is 0.618 times less than the 16,496 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 12,563 degrees mean that there were 1.59 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 7,897 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

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($18,169) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($5,511) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,350) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 0.917% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.849% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (3.87M), Some college (3.24M), and Bachelors Degree (3.11M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was $318,000 in 2023, which is 1.05 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $295,900 to $318,000, a 7.47% increase. The homeownership rate in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is 63.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have an average commute time of 24.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is $80,533. In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $178,707, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $154,734 and $150,113.

Housing

Property

$318,000

Median Property Value 2023

±$2,137

$442,292

Median Property Taxes

±$4,872

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 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

63.1%

Homeownership

2023

68.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 63.1% of the housing units in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2023, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $178,707, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $154,734 and $150,113.

The following map shows all of the counties in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$80,533

Median Household Income

± $761

701k

Number of Households

± 6,621

In 2023, the median household income of the 701k households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew to $80,533 from the previous year's value of $77,082.

The following chart displays the households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is from Virginia and North Carolina.

0.475

2022 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.47

2022 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2022, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.164% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

In the same year, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 and income inequality had a 0.0732% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478, meaning wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (75.8%)
Worked At Home (10.7%)
Carpooled (8.17%)

In 2023, 75.8% of workers in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (10.7%) and those who carpooled to work (8.17%).

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

24.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have a shorter commute time (24.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 1.78% of the workforce in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC (188k out of 1.73M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC 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.

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.

Health

93.3% of the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has health coverage, with 41.3% on employee plans, 13.9% on Medicaid, 10.3% on Medicare, 17.8% on non-group plans, and 9.99% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1324 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1310 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1351 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 447 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1413 patients per year on average, which represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1399 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1657 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 336 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,324 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

1,413 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,324 patients per year. This represents a 1.07% increase from the previous year (1,310 patients).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,413 patients per year. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1,399 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Virginia and North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.8% under 18 years, 20.9% between 18 and 34 years, 38% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.74%

Uninsured

41.3%

Employer Coverage

13.9%

Medicaid

10.3%

Medicare

17.8%

Non-Group

9.99%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined by 6.07% from 7.18% to 6.74%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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