City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Chesapeake, VA

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

251,153
Residents
$94,189
Median income
$359,100
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Chesapeake - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Chesapeake places in the 74th percentile for household income and the 30th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

74th
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
30th
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: Chesapeake, VA

Virginia's Chesapeake is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 251,153 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $94,189 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.3%. Home values in Chesapeake run a median of $359,100, and the median resident age is 37.7 years. 36.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 597 residential building permits were authorized in Chesapeake (Construction Slowdown), down 40% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2083.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

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 $1,713 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 80.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

251,153 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$94,189 /yr

Poverty 6.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Chesapeake compare to other US cities?

Chesapeake measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 74% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 30% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Virginia, Chesapeake ranks #71 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chesapeake's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

74thIncome percentile
30thSafety percentile

74th percentile nationally for median household income · 30th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chesapeake's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chesapeake'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Chesapeake'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 Chesapeake's home value compares nationally

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

$359,100 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Chesapeake $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 - Chesapeake, VA Chesapeake, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA median $94,189/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%
Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

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

Population
251,153
Median Income
$94,189
Median Home Value
$359,100
Median Age
37.7
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2083.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
339.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1744.2
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.

Schools

Total Schools
45
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
248,000 residents250,000 residents252,000 residents254,000 residents256,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 249,655 residents 255,332 residents ▲ +2.3%
Chesapeake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
597
housing units authorized
Single-Family
597
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 991
2020 1,128
2021 1,383
2022 834
2023 505
2024 597

Permit volume decreased 40% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.4%
Carpool
8.1%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
11.5%
Other
1.5%

Based on 123,535 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 Chesapeake sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,713/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
80.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Arlington
235,463 people
Norfolk
235,037 people
Richmond
227,595 people
Newport News
184,774 people
Alexandria
156,788 people
Hampton
137,334 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chesapeake's 251,153 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winston-Salem, NC
250,887 people
Glendale, AZ
250,193 people
Irving, TX
255,036 people
Laredo, TX
255,949 people
Garland, TX
245,298 people
Scottsdale, AZ
242,169 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chesapeake's $94,189 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Village St. George, LA
$94,191 median income
Haledon, NJ
$94,178 median income
Lawrence, IL
$94,205 median income
Maricopa, AZ
$94,208 median income
Clearlake Riviera, CA
$94,167 median income
Alvan (Alvin), IL
$94,167 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 56.2% 29.0% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.4% White 56.2% Black or African American 29.0% Asian 3.7% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.6% Two or more races 8.3% 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 Chesapeake 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
Chesapeake (this city) 251,153 $94,189
Arlington 235,463 $140,160
Norfolk 235,037 $64,017
Richmond 227,595 $62,671
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chesapeake, VA?

What is the population of Chesapeake, VA? +

Chesapeake, VA counts 251,153 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chesapeake, VA? +

Chesapeake households earn a median of $94,189 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chesapeake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chesapeake; 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 Chesapeake, VA safe? +

Chesapeake has a total crime rate of 2083.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Chesapeake, VA? +

A typical home in Chesapeake is worth $359,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.