Virginia Beach is a city located in Virginia Beach City County Virginia. It is also the county seat of Virginia Beach City County. With a 2023 population of 465,914, it is the largest city in Virginia and the 42nd largest city in the United States.Virginia Beach is currently growing at a rate of 0.46% annually and its population has increased by 1.4% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 459,470 in 2020. Spanning over 497 miles, Virginia Beach has a population density of 1,904 people per square mile.
The average household income in Virginia Beach is $96,936 with a poverty rate of 8.64%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Virginia Beach is 36.4 years, 34.7 years for males, and 38.3 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.
Virginia Beach Population Statistics
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 Population Growth
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.