Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

1.79M

1.26% 1-year growth

2021 Median Age

36.7

0.548% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10.9%

2.52% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$71,612

4.61% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$261,800

3.15% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

830,250

1.41% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC had a population of 1.79M people with a median age of 36.7 and a median household income of $71,612. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew from 1.77M to 1.79M, a 1.26% increase and its median household income grew from $68,454 to $71,612, a 4.61% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (54.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (29.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.48%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.86%), and White (Hispanic) (2.85%).

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 (5,429 degrees awarded in 2021), ECPI University (248934) (4,403 degrees), and Tidewater Community College (3,312 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was $261,800, and the homeownership rate was 62.2%.

Most people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 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 1.79M people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 6.65% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents were born outside of the country (119k people).

In 2021, there were 1.83 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (971k people) in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 530k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 80.2k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.3%

2021 Citizenship

97.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 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 2020, 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)
971k ± 1.37k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
530k ± 2.84k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
80.2k ± 3.19k

7.2%

Hispanic Population

129k people

7.2% of the people in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are hispanic (129k 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
278,347 ± 17,322 people
India
173,168 ± 14,359 people
El Salvador
141,420 ± 12,466 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia and North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 278,347 Virginia and North Carolina residents, followed by India with 173,168 and El Salvador with 141,420.

Foreign-Born Population

6.65%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

119k people

6.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

118k people

As of 2021, 6.65% of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC residents (119k 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-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was 6.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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-)
89,404 ± 2,741
Gulf War (1990s)
41,934 ± 1,698
Vietnam
41,928 ± 1,390

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 830k people. The largest industries in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (115,716 people), Retail Trade (90,452 people), and Educational Services (81,025 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($68,896), Utilities ($66,306), and Public Administration ($65,359).

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

830k

2021 Value

± 7,421

1.41%

1 Year growth

± 1.24%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew at a rate of 1.41%, from 819k employees to 830k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (94,559 people), Management Occupations (82,409 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (79,880 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

830k

2021 Value

± 7,421

1.41%

1 Year growth

± 1.24%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew at a rate of 1.41%, from 819k employees to 830k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (115,716 people), Retail Trade (90,452 people), and Educational Services (81,025 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

$50,104

Median earning men ± $749

$34,344

Median earning women ± $448

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($70,960), Information ($66,050), and Manufacturing ($62,753).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($54,398), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,859), and Manufacturing ($42,190).

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

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina and Virginia product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $91.4B, followed by Machinery ($68.1B) and Pharmaceuticals ($63.3B).

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.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

$313B

2020 Value in Virginia

$612B

Projected 2050 Value in Virginia

95.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

Comparatively, total outbound Virginia trade was $313B. This is expected to increase 95.3% 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

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina and Virginia domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $37.3B, followed by Ohio with $25B and Pennsylvania and $24B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina and Virginia went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 51.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (47.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.14%).

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 and North Carolina is currently represented by 25 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.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (51.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (47.3%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.14%)
Libertarian Party

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

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 and North Carolina

Virginia and North Carolina is currently represented by 25 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 2021, universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC awarded 27,253 degrees. The student population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 40,555 male students and 63,289 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are White (13,225 and 49.4%), followed by Black or African American (8,161 and 30.5%), Hispanic or Latino (2,109 and 7.88%), and Two or More Races (1,423 and 5.32%).

The largest universities in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC by number of degrees awarded are Old Dominion University (5,429 and 19.9%), ECPI University (248934) (4,403 and 16.2%), and Tidewater Community College (3,312 and 12.2%).

The most popular majors in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC are Registered Nursing (1,815 and 6.66%), General Business Administration & Management (1,770 and 6.49%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (1,013 and 3.72%).

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 2021 in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 71.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 103,844 (39.1% men and 60.9% 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 103,844 students enrolled in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, 39.1% men and 60.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 45,360 records, of which 57.5% were women and 42.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
951 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
811 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
660 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was General Psychology with 951 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
5,429 degrees awarded
ECPI University (248934)
4,403 degrees awarded
Tidewater Community College
3,312 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Old Dominion University with 5,429 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 10,339 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, which is 0.611 times less than the 16,914 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 13,225 degrees mean that there were 1.62 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 8,161 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 ($16,849) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($4,847) 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 and North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.863% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.802% 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 2021 were High School or Equivalent (3.81M), Some college (3.26M), and Bachelors Degree (3.02M).

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 $261,800 in 2021, which is 1.07 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $253,800 to $261,800, a 3.15% increase. The homeownership rate in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC is 62.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have an average commute time of 24.7 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 $71,612. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC was Loudoun County, VA with a value of $156,821, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $155,071 and $133,974.

Housing

Property

$261,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,457

$430,419

Median Property Taxes

±$4,430

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

62.2%

Homeownership

2021

68%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 62.2% of the housing units in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.3%.

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 2021, 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 $156,821, followed by Falls Church city, VA and Fairfax County, VA, with respective values of $155,071 and $133,974.

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.

$71,612

Median Household Income

± $811

692k

Number of Households

± 6,546

In 2021, the median household income of the 692k households in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC grew to $71,612 from the previous year's value of $68,454.

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.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

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.

In the same year, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 and income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less 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 2021

Drove Alone (78.3%)
Carpooled (7.93%)
Worked At Home (7.47%)

In 2021, 78.3% of workers in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.93%) and those who worked at home (7.47%).

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

24.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 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

10.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC (188k out of 1.72M 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 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

92.3% of the population of Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC has health coverage, with 42.4% on employee plans, 12.2% on Medicaid, 9.83% on Medicare, 17.3% on non-group plans, and 10.7% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Virginia see 1310 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (1325 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1393 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 484 patients per year.

Similarly, primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1399 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1405 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1710 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 363 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,310 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Virginia

1,399 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in Virginia see an average of 1,310 patients per year. This represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (1,325 patients).

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,399 patients per year. This represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1,405 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 21.5% between 18 and 34 years, 38.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.2% were men and 52.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

7.66%

Uninsured

42.4%

Employer Coverage

12.2%

Medicaid

9.83%

Medicare

17.3%

Non-Group

10.7%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC declined by 4.7% from 8.04% to 7.66%.

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.