City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Cape Charles, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Cape Charles - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,278
Residents
$51,250
Median income
$589,000
Median home
$949
Median rent (state)

Cape Charles - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Cape Charles lands in the 21st percentile for household income and the 73rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
89th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
73rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Cape Charles, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,278 residents in Cape Charles, a small town within Virginia. The typical household in Cape Charles brings in $51,250 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Typical homes in Cape Charles are valued around $589,000, and the median resident age is 55.6 years. Educational attainment runs 57.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 44.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 71 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 42% from five years earlier. Cape Charles reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 772.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 58.5°F with 44.5 inches of precipitation per year.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $949 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Virginia run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 13.8 minutes, with 66.5% driving alone and 17.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 44.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

1,278 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$51,250 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Cape Charles compare to other US cities?

Where Cape Charles sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 89% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 73% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Virginia alone, Cape Charles ranks #16 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cape Charles against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Cape Charles toward the top of Virginia's cities

Among the 567 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Cape Charles ranks #90 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cape Charles only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#422 of 558
24th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#481 of 619
21st percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#90 of 567
84th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#270 of 616
56th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#105 of 618
83rd percentile in Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

21stIncome percentile
73rdSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 73rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cape Charles's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cape Charles's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 48 Avg. percentile National median
Cape Charles's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cape Charles's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$589,000 11th percentile more affordable than 11% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Cape Charles $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Cape Charles, VA Cape Charles, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cape Charles, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Cape Charles, VA median $51,250/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Cape Charles, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Cape Charles, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 57.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 44.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,278
Median Income
$51,250
Median Home Value
$589,000
Median Age
55.6
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
44.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
57.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
772.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
77.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
695.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
44.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,150 residents1,200 residents1,250 residents1,300 residents1,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,180 residents 1,314 residents ▲ +11.4%
Cape Charles's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
71
housing units authorized
Single-Family
71
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
55.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 50
2020 21
2021 58
2022 72
2023 51
2024 71

Permit volume increased 42% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.8 minutes
Drive Alone
66.5%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
8.3%
Work from Home
17.8%

Based on 556 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Cape Charles sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$949/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
44.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Rustburg
1,276 people
Brookneal
1,275 people
Gretna
1,275 people
Buchanan
1,271 people
Jonesville
1,290 people
Goochland
1,301 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Charles's 1,278 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Magnolia Springs, AL
1,278 people
Collinsburg, PA
1,278 people
Hudson, PA
1,278 people
Baxter, TN
1,278 people
G. L. García comunidad, PR
1,278 people
Littlerock, CA
1,277 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cape Charles's $51,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carolina, AL
$51,250 median income
Toxey, AL
$51,250 median income
Glacier View, AK
$51,250 median income
McGrath, AK
$51,250 median income
Nenana, AK
$51,250 median income
Concord, AR
$51,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cape Charles, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Cape Charles, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.3% 6.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.9% White 87.3% Black or African American 6.9% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 5.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Cape Charles compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Cape Charles (this city) 1,278 $51,250
Rustburg 1,276 $70,771
Brookneal 1,275 $45,909
Gretna 1,275 $36,023
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cape Charles, VA?

What is the population of Cape Charles, VA? +

Cape Charles, VA counts 1,278 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Cape Charles, VA? +

In Cape Charles, the typical household earns $51,250 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cape Charles? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cape Charles; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Cape Charles, VA safe? +

Cape Charles has a total crime rate of 772.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Cape Charles, VA? +

Homes in Cape Charles carry a median value of $589,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Cape Charles? +

Cape Charles has an average annual temperature of 58.5°F, 44.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.