City · Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, city, in Virginia Beach city, Virginia. Virginia Beach had 453,737 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 459,470 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 456,349 (controlled total). GEOID 5182000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
453,737
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 459,470 · ACS 2020-2024: 456,349
Median household income
$92,968
±$1,774 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$382,500
±$3,757 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,714
±$19 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Virginia Beach and what county is it in?
Virginia Beach is a city in Virginia Beach city, Virginia. It covers 244.7 square miles of land, 1,878 residents per square mile in 2020.
Virginia Beach is in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 18 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Virginia Beach covers the same area as Virginia Beach city: the city and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Virginia Beach's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Virginia Beach, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 453,737 people lived in Virginia Beach on July 1, 2025, down 1.2% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020 Census counted 459,470 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 456,349.
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 456,349 | 8,705,170 | +6,148 |
| Households | 179,851 ±907 | 3,365,732 | +9,053 |
| Average household size | 2.49 ±0.01 | 2.52 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 191,294 ±178 | 3,684,756 | +6,500 |
Virginia Beach's population since 2000
From 425,257 in 2000 to 453,737 in 2025: up 6.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Virginia Beach as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Virginia Beach?
The median resident of Virginia Beach is 37.9 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 15.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 58.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 18.2%. 9.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 ±0.2 | 39.0 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.9% ±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 49.0% ±0.1 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.1% | 11.0% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 58.8% ±0.2 pts | 58.4% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 18.2% ±0.3 pts | 18.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 7.1% ±0.2 pts | 6.9% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.0% ±0.4 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.2% ±0.4 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.2% ±0.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 15.7% ±0.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.1% ±0.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3% ±0.4 pts | 6.9% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7% ±0.3 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.9% ±0.7 pts | 42.2% | +4.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.5% ±0.5 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.9% ±0.7 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.8% ±0.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Virginia Beach earn?
Half of Virginia Beach's 179,851 households earn less than $92,968 a year (±$1,774), against $92,968 in Virginia Beach city and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $94,283 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $92,968 ±$1,774 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $120,766 ±$2,164 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,736 ±$859 | $50,666 | +$2,245 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.6% ±0.6 pts | 9.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.4% ±1.4 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.6% ±0.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.3% ±0.4 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.4% ±0.5 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Virginia Beach?
Owners occupy 65.1% of Virginia Beach's occupied homes and renters 34.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $382,500 by its owner (±$3,757). The median renter pays $1,714 a month including utilities, and 44.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $382,500 ±$3,757 | $383,700 | +$36,921 |
| Median gross rent | $1,714 ±$19 | $1,579 | +$32 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.3% ±1.8 pts | 39.4% | +6.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,100 ±$31 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.1% ±0.9 pts | 67.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.9% ±0.9 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 191,294 ±178 | 3,684,756 | +6,500 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.2% ±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.6% ±0.7 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.0% ±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.3% ±0.5 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.0% ±0.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.6% ±0.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Virginia Beach building?
Builders took permits for 436 new housing units in Virginia Beach in 2025 (266 in single-family houses), 1.0 per 1,000 residents against 3.7 across Virginia.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Virginia Beach work and get to work?
74.0% of Virginia Beach's workers drive alone and 14.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.5% ±0.5 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±0.4 pts | 4.3% | −0.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.0% ±0.7 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4% ±0.5 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.6% ±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.3% ±0.7 pts | 18.3% | +10.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.4 min ±0.3 | 27.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Virginia Beach?
112 census tracts lie mostly in Virginia Beach (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $45,625 (Tract 402) to $250,000 or more (Tract 420).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 404.04Virginia Beach city | 8,143 | $97,705 |
| Tract 406Virginia Beach city | 7,949 | $48,718 |
| Tract 460.14Virginia Beach city | 7,241 | $117,098 |
| Tract 454.26Virginia Beach city | 7,084 | $128,173 |
| Tract 462.07Virginia Beach city | 6,945 | $95,091 |
| Tract 454.24Virginia Beach city | 6,801 | $139,972 |
| Tract 460.15Virginia Beach city | 6,616 | $114,867 |
| Tract 454.14Virginia Beach city | 6,338 | $77,717 |
| Tract 454.27Virginia Beach city | 6,318 | $113,679 |
| Tract 462.16Virginia Beach city | 6,314 | $119,241 |
| Tract 412Virginia Beach city | 6,136 | $107,684 |
| Tract 454.20Virginia Beach city | 5,939 | $118,654 |
Every census tract in Virginia Beach: the tract table of Virginia Beach city
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Virginia Beach) · Census block assignment files
How does Virginia Beach compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Virginia Beach is the 43rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Virginia Beach ranks 169th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 96th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 147th | 374 |
| Median household income | 169th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 138th | 374 |
| Median home value | 156th | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 141st | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 150th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 152nd | 359 |
| Median age | 223rd | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 218th | 368 |
| Work from home | 174th | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 251st | 372 |
Virginia Beach's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Virginia Beach with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Virginia Beach?
2 of the 57 figures for Virginia Beach on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Virginia Beach are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Virginia Beach.