City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Norfolk, VA

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

235,037
Residents
$64,017
Median income
$271,900
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Norfolk - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Norfolk lands in the 41st percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
6th
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: Norfolk, VA

235,037 people live in Norfolk, Virginia - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $64,017 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.6%. Typical homes in Norfolk are valued around $271,900, and the median resident age is 32.4 years. About 32.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 53.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 438 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 47% from five years earlier. Norfolk's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4242.0 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 61.6°F with 49.2 inches of precipitation per year and 6.2 inches of snowfall.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). 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. Commute times here average 20.9 minutes, with 71.7% driving alone and 8.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 81.2 out of 100 (High).

Population

235,037 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$64,017 /yr

Poverty 12.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Norfolk compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Virginia and the picture shifts: Norfolk ranks #113 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Norfolk'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.

41stIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Norfolk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Norfolk'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 28 Avg. percentile National median
Norfolk'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 Norfolk's home value compares nationally

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

$271,900 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. Norfolk $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 - Norfolk, VA Norfolk, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA median $64,017/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%
Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.8%

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

Population
235,037
Median Income
$64,017
Median Home Value
$271,900
Median Age
32.4
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor force participation
53.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4242.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
469.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3772.5
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
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
49.2"
Annual Snowfall
6.2"

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 →
230,000 residents235,000 residents240,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 237,859 residents 231,013 residents ▼ -2.9%
Norfolk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
438
housing units authorized
Single-Family
145
detached homes
Multifamily
293
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 819
2020 1,202
2021 1,473
2022 1,208
2023 1,427
2024 438

Permit volume decreased 47% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.9 minutes
Drive Alone
71.7%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
2.8%
Walk
5.2%
Work from Home
8.6%
Other
2.3%

Based on 125,216 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 Norfolk 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
81.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Arlington
235,463 people
Richmond
227,595 people
Chesapeake
251,153 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 Norfolk's 235,037 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Boise City, ID
235,701 people
Enterprise, NV
232,043 people
Spokane, WA
229,228 people
Santa Clarita, CA
229,021 people
Fremont, CA
228,518 people
Scottsdale, AZ
242,169 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Norfolk's $64,017 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mexico Beach, FL
$64,013 median income
Somerville, TX
$64,013 median income
Niantic, IL
$64,009 median income
Danbury, IA
$64,028 median income
Duryea, PA
$64,028 median income
James, PA
$64,028 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 44.0% 39.8% 8.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.9% White 44.0% Black or African American 39.8% Asian 3.7% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.9% Two or more races 8.0% 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 Norfolk 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
Norfolk (this city) 235,037 $64,017
Arlington 235,463 $140,160
Richmond 227,595 $62,671
Chesapeake 251,153 $94,189
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Norfolk, VA?

What is the population of Norfolk, VA? +

235,037 people live in Norfolk, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Norfolk households earn a median of $64,017 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Norfolk? +

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

Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4242.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Norfolk, VA? +

The median home value in Norfolk is $271,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Norfolk? +

The average annual temperature in Norfolk runs 61.6°F, 49.2 inches of precipitation, and 6.2 inches of snowfall per year. 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 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.