Virginia Beach, VA

Census Place

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2021 Population

457,658

1.5% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

36.7

0.824% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

7.82%

8.6% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$81,810

4.7% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$295,900

2.96% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

225,943

1.21% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Virginia Beach, VA had a population of 458k people with a median age of 36.7 and a median household income of $81,810. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Virginia Beach, VA grew from 450,882 to 457,658, a 1.5% increase and its median household income grew from $78,136 to $81,810, a 4.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach, VA are White (Non-Hispanic) (60.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (18.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.85%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (5.09%), and White (Hispanic) (3.39%).

None of the households in Virginia Beach, 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.

96.6% of the residents in Virginia Beach, VA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Virginia Beach, VA are ECPI University (248934) (4,403 degrees awarded in 2021), Regent University (2,357 degrees), and Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach (435 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Virginia Beach, VA was $295,900, and the homeownership rate was 65%.

Most people in Virginia Beach, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Virginia Beach, VA was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jason Pratt

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

Population & Diversity

Virginia Beach, VA is home to a population of 458k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.26% of Virginia Beach, VA residents were born outside of the country (42.4k people).

In 2021, there were 3.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (277k people) in Virginia Beach, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 83.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 31.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.6%

2021 Citizenship

96.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96.6% of Virginia Beach, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Virginia Beach, VA was 96.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach, VA

White (Non-Hispanic)
277k ± 488
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
83.9k ± 1.28k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
31.3k ± 840

8.58%

Hispanic Population

39.3k people

8.58% of the people in Virginia Beach, VA are hispanic (39.3k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
109,039 ± 8,055 people
India
96,011 ± 7,565 people
Mexico
59,097 ± 5,948 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 109,039 Virginia residents, followed by India with 96,011 and Mexico with 59,097.

Foreign-Born Population

9.26%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

42.4k people

9.67%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

43.6k people

As of 2021, 9.26% of Virginia Beach, VA residents (42.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Virginia Beach, VA was 9.67%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
26,074 ± 1,411
Gulf War (1990s)
12,796 ± 910
Vietnam
11,147 ± 607

Virginia Beach, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.04 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Virginia Beach, VA employs 226k people. The largest industries in Virginia Beach, VA are Health Care & Social Assistance (31,325 people), Retail Trade (25,534 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,253 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($75,603), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($69,671), and Public Administration ($65,422).

Males in Virginia have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $63,894. The income inequality in Virginia (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

226k

2021 Value

± 3,915

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.44%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Virginia Beach, VA grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 223k employees to 226k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Virginia Beach, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (25,557 people), Management Occupations (24,716 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (23,466 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Virginia Beach, 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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

226k

2021 Value

± 3,915

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 2.44%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Virginia Beach, VA grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 223k employees to 226k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Virginia Beach, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (31,325 people), Retail Trade (25,534 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,253 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Virginia Beach, VA, though some of these residents may live in Virginia Beach, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$52,355

Median earning men ± $1,131

$37,599

Median earning women ± $1,382

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($71,145), Information ($69,674), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($69,334).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($55,512), Wholesale Trade ($47,825), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,002).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $37.7B, followed by Electronics ($29B) and Machinery ($23.6B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Virginia.

$313B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

95.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Virginia trade was $313B. This is expected to increase 95.3% to $612B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Virginia trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2020, the top outbound Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $26B, followed by Maryland with $18.5B and Pennsylvania and $12.4B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

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 Virginia Beach, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (54.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.45%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.45%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

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 2021, universities in Virginia Beach, VA awarded 8,438 degrees. The student population of Virginia Beach, VA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 19,916 male students and 34,292 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Virginia Beach, VA are White (3,800 and 45.2%), followed by Black or African American (2,995 and 35.6%), Hispanic or Latino (782 and 9.29%), and Two or More Races (346 and 4.11%).

The largest universities in Virginia Beach, VA by number of degrees awarded are ECPI University (248934) (4,403 and 52.2%), Regent University (2,357 and 27.9%), and Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach (435 and 5.16%).

The most popular majors in Virginia Beach, VA are Registered Nursing (974 and 11.5%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (840 and 9.95%), and Medical Assistant (532 and 6.3%).

The median tuition cost in Virginia Beach, VA for private four year colleges is $26,615.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Virginia Beach, VA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 64.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 54,208 (36.7% men and 63.3% 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 2021 there were 54,208 students enrolled in Virginia Beach, VA, 36.7% men and 63.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 22,254 records, of which 57.6% were women and 42.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
750 degree-majors awarded
Medical Assistant
523 degree-majors awarded
Network & System Administration
462 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Virginia Beach, VA was Registered Nursing with 750 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Virginia Beach, VA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

ECPI University (248934)
4,403 degrees awarded
Regent University
2,357 degrees awarded
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
435 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was ECPI University (248934) with 4,403 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 3,001 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Virginia Beach, VA, which is 0.552 times less than the 5,437 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,800 degrees mean that there were 1.27 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,995 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 ($26,615) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,250) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Measure

In 2021, 0.836% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.859% 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.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.68M), Bachelors Degree (1.44M), and Some college (1.41M).

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, VA was $295,900 in 2021, which is 1.21 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $287,400 to $295,900, a 2.96% increase. The homeownership rate in Virginia Beach, VA is 65%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Virginia Beach, VA have an average commute time of 23.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Virginia Beach, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Virginia Beach, VA is $81,810. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Virginia Beach, VA was Census Tract 420 with a value of $190,500, followed by Census Tract 436 and Census Tract 430.02, with respective values of $185,851 and $158,042.

Housing

Property

$295,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,913

$114,998

Median Property Taxes

±$2,370

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, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

65%

Homeownership

2021

68.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 65% of the housing units in Virginia Beach, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Virginia Beach, VA 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)

Census Tract 420
Census Tract 436
Census Tract 430.02

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Virginia Beach, VA was Census Tract 420 with a value of $190,500, followed by Census Tract 436 and Census Tract 430.02, with respective values of $185,851 and $158,042.

The following map shows all of the places in Virginia Beach, VA 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.

$81,810

Median Household Income

± $1,205

177k

Number of Households

± 3,197

In 2021, the median household income of the 177k households in Virginia Beach, VA grew to $81,810 from the previous year's value of $78,136.

The following chart displays the households in Virginia Beach, 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2021, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.381% decline from 2020 to 2021, 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.

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 2021

Drove Alone (79.1%)
Worked At Home (8.42%)
Carpooled (7.6%)

In 2021, 79.1% of workers in Virginia Beach, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.42%) and those who carpooled to work (7.6%).

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

23.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Virginia Beach, VA have a shorter commute time (23.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.38% of the workforce in Virginia Beach, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Virginia Beach, VA 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, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Virginia Beach, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

7.82% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Virginia Beach, VA (35k out of 448k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. 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, VA is White, followed by Black 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

92.9% of the population of Virginia Beach, VA has health coverage, with 43.9% on employee plans, 8.09% on Medicaid, 8.68% on Medicare, 19.2% on non-group plans, and 13% 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).

Primary care physicians in Virginia Beach city, VA see 1331 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.7% decrease from the previous year (1368 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1268 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 492 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Virginia Beach city, VA.

1,331 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia Beach city, VA

Primary care physicians in Virginia Beach city, VA see an average of 1,331 patients per year. This represents a 2.7% decrease from the previous year (1,368 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 21.8% between 18 and 34 years, 38.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 15% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.12%

Uninsured

43.9%

Employer Coverage

8.09%

Medicaid

8.68%

Medicare

19.2%

Non-Group

13%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Virginia Beach, VA declined by 3.63% from 7.39% to 7.12%.

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