Virginia Beach is a city located in Virginia Beach city Virginia. Virginia Beach has a 2024 population of 451,637. Virginia Beach is currently declining at a rate of -0.44% annually and its population has decreased by -1.75% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 459,684 in 2020.
The average household income in Virginia Beach is $113,388 with a poverty rate of 8.03%. The median age in Virginia Beach is 37.1 years: 35.6 years for males, and 38.8 years for females.
Virginia Beach is located in the state of Virginia. This independent city is located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The city is the most populous in the state, and it is also the 41st most populous in the nation. Virginia Beach is known for being a resort city and its beautiful beaches, many hotels and resorts, restaurants and attractions draw in visitors each year.
Just 34.4% of the population are members of religious congregations, falling below the national average. The most popular religion is Catholicism, which is practiced by 28% of the population. Other popular religions include Southern Baptist and United Methodist.
Another notable fact about Virginia Beach is that its crime rate falls below those of other major cities in Virginia and has a lower total crime index rate than the national average. The city has a strong economy based around tourism-related industries with 14,900 jobs to cover the 2.75 million visitors that visit Virginia Beach. The city is also home to the headquarters of major companies including Amerigroup and Stihl. The city has been ranked by Forbes as one of the best places for careers and business.
Virginia Beach has seen steady growth throughout the years. At times, the increase has been substantial, with the population growing from just over 8,000 people in 1960 to over 172,000 in 1970. By the time of the next census in 1980, the population had exceeded 262,000. At the next census, the population was nearing 400,000. Recent estimates show that the population has exceeded 450,000, reflecting a 3.3% growth since the last census taken in 2010. This likely indicates that while the city is continuing to grow, it isn’t growing at the same rapid rate that it has in the past.
The Chesepian people were living in the area when it was stumbled upon by the Europeans. Through its earliest years of European settlement, the Colony of Virginia was divided multiple times. In the beginning, the city was developed for agriculture. However, when rail service arrived, the resort city was created in 1883, with the first hotel opening shortly after. This hotel was known as the Virginia Beach Hotel. The hotel was foreclosed just a few short years later but was updated and opened again in 1888 and was renamed the Princess Anne Hotel. Virginia Beach became an incorporated town in 1906.
The city had many visitors coming by railroad and electric trolley, but Virginia Beach Boulevard opened up the city to more tourists via cars, trucks, and buses. This increased traffic eventually led to the discontinuation of the passenger rail service. Over the next several decades, the city continued to grow and thrive as a vacation destination. Originally, casinos were in Virginia Beach but were replaced by more family-oriented attractions including amusement parks. Additional resorts were also opened, including The Cavalier Hotel in 1927.
Virginia Beach was designated as a city in 1952. In the 1960s, Virginia Beach was expanded to include Princess Anne County. In recent years, Virginia Beach continues to be a popular tourist spot. Tourism is the main driver of the economy, but real estate and defense are also major sectors.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Virginia Beach was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
|---|---|---|
| White | 287,415 | 62.77% |
| Black or African American | 86,497 | 18.89% |
| Two or more races | 38,973 | 8.51% |
| Asian | 32,680 | 7.14% |
| Other race | 10,628 | 2.32% |
| Native American | 1,100 | 0.24% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 607 | 0.13% |
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Asian
Other race
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 178,915 | 2.51 | 64.6 | 35.4 |
| Married | 88,961 | 3.11 | 78.6 | 21.4 |
| Non Family | 58,367 | 1.3 | 51.4 | 48.6 |
| Female | 22,637 | 3.12 | 46.1 | 53.9 |
| Male | 8,950 | 2.99 | 57.8 | 42.2 |
3.03
Average Family Size
2.51
Average Household Size
64.6%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 9th to 12th Grade | 11,524 | 3.64% |
| Associates Degree | 33,461 | 10.58% |
| Bachelors Degree | 78,171 | 24.72% |
| Graduate Degree | 47,619 | 15.06% |
| High School Graduate | 65,598 | 20.75% |
| Less Than 9th Grade | 5,820 | 1.84% |
| Some College | 73,985 | 23.4% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 201,006 | 193,601 | 86,949 |
| Black | 57,449 | 53,307 | 17,104 |
| Asian | 24,622 | 21,998 | 10,943 |
| Hispanic | 22,940 | 20,125 | 7,408 |
| 2+ Races | 17,890 | 16,751 | 6,402 |
| Other Race | 6,493 | 5,328 | 1,560 |
| Native American | 792 | 666 | 143 |
| Islander | 426 | 409 | 264 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 96.32%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among islander people with a rate of 61.97%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelors Degree | $61,935 | $78,575 | $52,090 |
| Graduate Degree | $79,435 | $105,330 | $63,762 |
| High School Graduate | $39,823 | $47,166 | $28,890 |
| Less Than 9th Grade | $27,025 | $30,251 | $21,791 |
| Overall | $53,120 | $60,523 | $44,950 |
| Some College | $47,116 | $55,234 | $39,818 |
$53,120
Average Earnings
$60,523
Average Male
$44,950
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
87.78% of Virginia Beach residents speak only English, while 12.22% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 4.93% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 269,963 | 15,735 | 5.83% |
| Black | 84,316 | 12,058 | 14.3% |
| Hispanic | 38,854 | 4,187 | 10.78% |
| Multiple | 38,000 | 3,748 | 9.86% |
| Asian | 32,472 | 1,941 | 5.98% |
| Other | 10,376 | 1,085 | 10.46% |
| Native | 1,085 | 157 | 14.47% |
| Islander | 607 | 43 | 7.08% |
8.03%
Overall Poverty Rate
7.01%
Male Poverty Rate
9.02%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Virginia Beach is Native, with 14.47% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Virginia Beach is White, with 5.83% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.7%. Among those working part-time, it was 11.98%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 13.47%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Less Than 9th Grade | 17.81% |
| High School | 8.97% |
| Some College | 6.78% |
| Bachelors or Greater | 3.44% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
|---|---|
| Female Unemployed | 25.73% |
| Male Unemployed | 19.24% |
| Female Employed | 5.41% |
| Male Employed | 3.45% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Families | $103,720 | $129,597 |
| Households | $87,544 | $113,388 |
| Married Families | $119,937 | $149,242 |
| Non Families | $57,915 | $74,419 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
50.9%
Overall Marriage Rate
53.2%
Male Marriage Rate
48.7%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is Over 65, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
55,595
Number of Veterans
45,385
Male Veterans
10,210
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
|---|---|
| First Gulf War | 25,833 |
| Second Gulf War | 24,927 |
| Vietnam | 14,106 |
| Korea | 1,652 |
| World War II | 446 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
|---|---|
| 35 to 54 | 18,836 |
| 55 to 64 | 12,079 |
| 65 to 74 | 10,780 |
| 75+ | 7,233 |
| 18 to 34 | 6,667 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| White | 37,435 | 17.2% |
| Black | 10,520 | 16.77% |
| Hispanic | 4,418 | 18.04% |
| Asian | 3,108 | 11.94% |
| 2+ Races | 3,037 | 14.92% |
| Other Race | 1,225 | 17.57% |
| Native American | 165 | 19.1% |
| Islander | 105 | 24.71% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
4.39%
Veteran Poverty Rate
21.12%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
69.5%
Labor Force Participation
60.9%
Employment Rate
4.3%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
42.08%
Born in Virginia Beach
90.72%
Native Born
9.28%
Foreign Born
3.39%
Non Citizen
5.89%
Naturalized
90.72% of Virginia Beach residents were born in the United States, with 42.08% having been born in Virginia. 3.39% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 441,578 | -2,012 | -0.45% |
| 2028 | 443,590 | -2,012 | -0.45% |
| 2027 | 445,602 | -2,011 | -0.45% |
| 2026 | 447,613 | -2,012 | -0.45% |
| 2025 | 449,625 | -2,012 | -0.45% |
| 2024 | 451,637 | -2,012 | -0.44% |
| 2023 | 453,649 | -1,420 | -0.31% |
| 2022 | 455,069 | -3,500 | -0.76% |
| 2021 | 458,569 | -1,115 | -0.24% |
| 2020 | 459,684 | 8,918 | 1.98% |
| 2019 | 450,766 | 278 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 450,488 | 71 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 450,417 | -1,093 | -0.24% |
| 2016 | 451,510 | 875 | 0.19% |
| 2015 | 450,635 | 1,496 | 0.33% |
| 2014 | 449,139 | 1,217 | 0.27% |
| 2013 | 447,922 | 2,733 | 0.61% |
| 2012 | 445,189 | 2,535 | 0.57% |
| 2011 | 442,654 | 3,790 | 0.86% |
| 2010 | 438,864 | 0 | 0% |
| 2000 | 425,257 | 32,188 | 8.19% |
| 1990 | 393,069 | 130,870 | 49.91% |
| 1980 | 262,199 | 90,093 | 52.35% |
| 1970 | 172,106 | 164,015 | 2027.13% |
| 1960 | 8,091 | 2,701 | 50.11% |
| 1950 | 5,390 | 2,790 | 107.31% |
| 1940 | 2,600 | 900 | 52.94% |
| 1930 | 1,700 | 900 | 112.5% |
| 1920 | 800 | 500 | 166.67% |
| 1910 | 300 | -441,278 | -99.93% |