Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

1.77M

0.41% 1-year growth

2020 Median Age

36.5

0.551% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

10.6%

5.81% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$68,454

2.54% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$253,800

3.55% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

818,682

0.511% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC had a population of 1.77M people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $68,454. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew from 1.76M to 1.77M, a 0.41% increase and its median household income grew from $66,759 to $68,454, a 2.54% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (54.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (29.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.07%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.9%), and White (Hispanic) (3.31%).

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.

97.3% 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 (5,532 degrees awarded in 2020), ECPI University (248934) (4,076 degrees), and Tidewater Community College (3,644 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was $253,800, and the homeownership rate was 62.3%.

Most people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.6 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

Population & Diversity

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is home to a population of 1.77M people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 6.7% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents were born outside of the country (118k people).

In 2020, there were 1.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (968k people) in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 526k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 72k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.3%

2020 Citizenship

97.3%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.3% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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)
968k ± 1.2k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
526k ± 2.55k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
72k ± 2.79k

6.97%

Hispanic Population

123k people

6.97% of the people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are hispanic (123k 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
280,684 ± 17,312 people
India
169,361 ± 14,198 people
El Salvador
140,366 ± 12,386 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia and North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 280,684 Virginia and North Carolina residents, followed by India with 169,361 and El Salvador with 140,366.

Foreign-Born Population

6.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

118k people

6.52%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

115k people

As of 2020, 6.7% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents (118k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 6.52%, 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-)
85,522 ± 2,878
Vietnam
43,308 ± 1,310
Gulf War (1990s)
41,129 ± 1,549

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.97 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC employs 819k people. The largest industries in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (112,276 people), Retail Trade (91,370 people), and Educational Services (80,739 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($67,734), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($65,136), and Utilities ($62,730).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $60,365. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

819k

2020 Value

± 7,210

0.511%

1 Year growth

± 1.2%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew at a rate of 0.511%, from 815k employees to 819k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (95,265 people), Sales & Related Occupations (81,785 people), and Management Occupations (80,055 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 Virginia and North Carolina.

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

819k

2020 Value

± 7,210

0.511%

1 Year growth

± 1.2%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew at a rate of 0.511%, from 815k employees to 819k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (112,276 people), Retail Trade (91,370 people), and Educational Services (80,739 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

$46,562

Median earning men ± $626

$32,584

Median earning women ± $453

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($66,120), Information ($59,664), and Manufacturing ($59,174).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Public Administration ($51,083), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,991), and Manufacturing ($41,250).

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

15,062
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
9,255
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
9,066
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$15.5M
Manufacturing
$14.2M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$7.25M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina and Virginia to other states, or from other states to North Carolina and Virginia.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$91.2B
Machinery
$74.6B
Electronics
$62.9B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina and Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $91.2B, followed by Machinery ($74.6B) and Electronics ($62.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Virginia and North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina and Virginia.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

$325B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

88.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound Virginia trade was $325B. This is expected to increase 88.1% to $612B by 2050.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina and Virginia to other states, or from other states to North Carolina and Virginia.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$39.7B
Ohio
$26.6B
Texas
$25.8B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina and Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $39.7B, followed by Ohio with $26.6B and Texas and $25.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina and Virginia shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Richard Burr, and Thom Tillis 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 and North Carolina is currently represented by 24 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senators 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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Richard Burr, and Thom Tillis 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 Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Virginia and North Carolina

Virginia and North Carolina is currently represented by 24 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 and North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC awarded 27,718 degrees. The student population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 42,057 male students and 65,257 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (13,503 and 49.7%), followed by Black or African American (8,235 and 30.3%), Hispanic or Latino (2,088 and 7.69%), and Two or More Races (1,319 and 4.86%).

The largest universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC by number of degrees awarded are Old Dominion University (5,532 and 20%), ECPI University (248934) (4,076 and 14.7%), and Tidewater Community College (3,644 and 13.1%).

The most popular majors in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Registered Nursing (1,843 and 6.65%), General Business Administration & Management (1,803 and 6.5%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (1,053 and 3.8%).

The median tuition costs in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are $15,020 for private four year colleges, and $8,065 and $24,115 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 66.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 107,314 (39.2% men and 60.8% 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 2020 there were 107,314 students enrolled in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, 39.2% men and 60.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 48,043 records, of which 57.2% were women and 42.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
857 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
832 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
643 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was General Psychology with 857 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
5,532 degrees awarded
ECPI University (248934)
4,076 degrees awarded
Tidewater Community College
3,644 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Old Dominion University with 5,532 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 10,652 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, which is 0.624 times less than the 17,066 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 13,503 degrees mean that there were 1.64 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 8,235 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 for-profit, 4-year or above ($16,660) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($4,847) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($2,500) 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 2020, 0.837% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.782% 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 2020 were High School or Equivalent (3.8M), Some college (3.32M), and Bachelors Degree (2.95M).

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 $253,800 in 2020, which is 1.1 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $245,100 to $253,800, a 3.55% increase. The homeownership rate in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is 62.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have an average commute time of 24.6 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 $68,454. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $147,111, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $146,922 and $127,866.

Housing

Property

$253,800

Median Property Value 2020

±$1,731

$418,960

Median Property Taxes

±$4,433

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

62.3%

Homeownership

2020

68.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 62.3% 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 61.7%.

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 2020, 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 $147,111, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $146,922 and $127,866.

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.

$68,454

Median Household Income

± $753

645k

Number of Households

± 5,094

In 2020, the median household income of the 645k households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew to $68,454 from the previous year's value of $66,759.

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.

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.479

2019 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.181% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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 0.395% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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 2020

Drove Alone (79.6%)
Carpooled (8.33%)
Worked At Home (5.44%)

In 2020, 79.6% of workers in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.33%) and those who worked at home (5.44%).

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

24.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have a shorter commute time (24.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.75% 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

10.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC (181k out of 1.7M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 35 - 44.

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

92% of the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has health coverage, with 42.6% on employee plans, 11.3% on Medicaid, 9.75% on Medicare, 17.2% on non-group plans, and 11.1% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Virginia was $7,556 in 2014. This is a 3.42% increase from the previous year ($7,306).

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1325 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.455% increase from the previous year (1319 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1409 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 531 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1405 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.496% decrease from the previous year (1412 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1718 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 389 patients per year.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Virginia and North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Virginia and North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,325 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

1,405 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,325 patients per year. This represents a 0.455% increase from the previous year (1,319 patients).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,405 patients per year. This represents a 0.496% decrease from the previous year (1,412 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.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.7% under 18 years, 21.9% between 18 and 34 years, 38.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.3% 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

8.04%

Uninsured

42.6%

Employer Coverage

11.3%

Medicaid

9.75%

Medicare

17.2%

Non-Group

11.1%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined by 4.09% from 8.38% to 8.04%.

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.