Virginia Beach, Virginia Population 2023

454,289

Virginia Beach is a city located in Virginia Beach City County Virginia. Virginia Beach has a 2023 population of 454,289. Virginia Beach is currently declining at a rate of -0.37% annually and its population has decreased by -1.11% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 459,373 in 2020.

The average household income in Virginia Beach is $105,521 with a poverty rate of 7.82%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to - per month, and the median house value is -. The median age in Virginia Beach is 36.7 years, 35.2 years for males, and 38.4 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.

Virginia Beach Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Virginia Beach was:

  • White: 63.92%
  • Black or African American: 18.99%
  • Two or more races: 7.54%
  • Asian: 7.01%
  • Other race: 2.19%
  • Native American: 0.24%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.12%
Land Area (mi²)
244.7 sq mi
Density (mi²)
1,856.40/sq mi
Growth Rate
-0.37% (-1,688)
Growth Since 2020
-1.11% (-5,084)
The current population of Virginia Beach, Virginia is 454,289 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates.The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 459,373.

Virginia Beach, Virginia Population 2023

Population by Race

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White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Asian

Other race

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Virginia Beach Population by Race

Virginia Beach Population Pyramid 2023

Virginia Beach Median Age

36.7

Total

35.2

Male

38.4

Female

Virginia Beach Adults

There are 355,894 adults, (65,559 of whom are seniors) in Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach Age Dependency

57.6

Age Dependency Ratio

22.6

Old Age Dependency Ratio

35.1

Child Dependency Ratio

Virginia Beach Sex Ratio

Female232,02950.7%
Male225,62949.3%

Virginia Beach Population by Age

Virginia Beach Renter vs Owner Occupied by Household Type

3.03

Average Family Size

2.53

Average Household Size

65.0%

Rate of Home Ownership

Married

Male

Female

NonFamily

owner

renter

Virginia Beach Households and Families

Male

Female

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Less Than 9th Grade

9th to 12th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Degree

Virginia Beach Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)

Virginia Beach Educational Attainment by Race

High School Graduation Rate

Bachelors Rate

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The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 89.52%.

The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among islander people with a rate of 42.82%.

Virginia Beach Educational Attainment by Race

All

Male

Female

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$48,590

Average Earnings

$56,264

Average Male

$40,801

Average Female

Virginia Beach Earnings by Educational Attainment

Virginia Beach Language by Age

Only English

Spanish

Other Indo-European Languages

Asian and Pacific Island Languages

Other Languages

Virginia Beach Language

87.84% of Virginia Beach residents speak only English, while 12.16% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 6.27% of the population.

Virginia Beach Language

Virginia Beach Poverty by Race

rate

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7.82%

Overall Poverty Rate

6.89%

Male Poverty Rate

8.7%

Female Poverty Rate

Poverty in Virginia Beach

The race most likely to be in poverty in Virginia Beach is Native, with 19.32% below the poverty level.

The race least likely to be in poverty in Virginia Beach is Asian, with 5.85% below the poverty level.

The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.72%. Among those working part-time, it was 11.65%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 13.02%.

Virginia Beach Poverty

rate

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Virginia Beach Poverty Rate by Education

rate

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Virginia Beach Poverty Rate by Employment Status and Sex

Virginia Beach Income by Household Type

Households

Families

MarriedFamilies

NonFamilies

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mean

median

Income by Household Type

Virginia Beach Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Marriage Rates

50.8%

Overall Marriage Rate

53.0%

Male Marriage Rate

48.7%

Female Marriage Rate

Virginia Beach Married by Age and Sex

male

female

Virginia Beach Marriage

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.

Virginia Beach Marital Status by Race

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

NeverMarried

Virginia Beach Marital Status

Second Gulf War

First Gulf War

Vietnam

Korea

World War II

58,287

Number of Veterans

47,476

Male Veterans

10,811

Female Veterans

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Virginia Beach Veterans by War

count

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Virginia Beach Veterans by Age

count

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Virginia Beach Veterans by Race

Virginia Beach Veterans by Education

Less Than 9th Grade

High School Graduate

Some College

Bachelors or Greater

3.94%

Veteran Poverty Rate

20.34%

Veteran Disability Rate

Virginia Beach Veterans by Education

LaborForceParticipation

70.3%

Labor Force Participation

61.6%

Employment Rate

4.3%

Unemployment Rate

Virginia Beach Employment by Age

LaborForceParticipation

Virginia Beach Employment by Race

LaborForceParticipation

Virginia Beach Employment by Education

Origin of Non-Citizens

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.

Origin of Naturalized Citizens

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

Latin America

North America

42.17%

Born in Virginia Beach

90.74%

Native Born

9.26%

Foreign Born

3.37%

Non Citizen

5.89%

Naturalized

Place of Birth

90.74% of Virginia Beach residents were born in the United States, with 42.17% having been born in Virginia. 3.37% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.

Virginia Beach Place of Birth

Note: data after 2021 is projected based on recent change

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Virginia Beach Population by Year