County · Virginia
Norfolk city, Virginia
Norfolk city, Virginia. Norfolk city had 231,013 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 81 census tracts. GEOID 51710.
Norfolk city is one of the 18 counties of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Norfolk city is the same area as Norfolk: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
231,013
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 238,005 · ACS 2020-2024: 233,596
Median household income
$66,109
±$1,785 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$289,900
±$5,479 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,321
±$27 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Norfolk city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 238,005 residents in Norfolk city. The Census Bureau estimates 231,013 for July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 233,596 over 53 square miles of land.
| Measure | Norfolk city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 233,596 | 8,705,170 | −11,005 |
| Households | 94,965±721 | 3,365,732 | +6,612 |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.02 | 2.52 | −0.22 |
| Housing units | 103,524±282 | 3,684,756 | +5,854 |
Norfolk city's population since 2000
From 234,403 in 2000 to 231,013 in 2025: down 1.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Norfolk city?
Norfolk city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Norfolk with 231,013 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Norfolk | 238,005 | $66,109 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Norfolk city?
The median resident of Norfolk city is 32.7 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 13.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 41.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 38.9%. 7.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Norfolk city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.7±0.2 | 39.0 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 20.3%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.0%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.1% | 11.0% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 41.2%±0.2 pts | 58.4% | −2.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 38.9%±0.5 pts | 18.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±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 | 5.3%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.9%±0.5 pts | 13.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.8%±0.5 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 14.2%±0.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±0.6 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1%±0.7 pts | 6.9% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.2%±0.7 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.5%±1.1 pts | 42.2% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.1%±0.7 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.4%±0.5 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 Norfolk city earn?
Half of Norfolk city's 94,965 households earn less than $66,109 a year (±$1,785), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,492 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,618 after inflation. 16.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Norfolk city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,109±$1,785 | $93,170 | +$2,618 |
| Mean household income | $91,610±$2,439 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,457±$1,045 | $50,666 | +$2,745 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.5%±1.0 pts | 9.9% | −2.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.2%±2.5 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±1.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±1.0 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 Norfolk city?
Owners occupy 46.3% of Norfolk city's occupied homes and renters 53.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $289,900 by its owner (±$5,479). The median renter pays $1,321 a month including utilities, and 44.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Norfolk city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $289,900±$5,479 | $383,700 | +$35,516 |
| Median gross rent | $1,321±$27 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.1%±1.9 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,913±$38 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.3%±1.4 pts | 67.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Housing units | 103,524±282 | 3,684,756 | +5,854 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 48.9%±1.1 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.4%±0.9 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 Norfolk city building?
Builders took permits for 156 new housing units across Norfolk city in 2025 (143 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Norfolk city get to work?
70.6% of Norfolk city's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Norfolk city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.8%±0.7 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±0.6 pts | 4.3% | −1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.6%±1.3 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±0.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.0%±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2%±0.8 pts | 18.3% | +7.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.0 min±0.6 | 27.3 min | +1.7 min |
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 are Norfolk city's census tracts?
Norfolk city is divided into 81 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $11,953 (Tract 42) to $164,271 (Tract 24).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Norfolk city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 119th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 133 |
| Median household income | 73rd of 133 |
| Median home value | 59th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 37th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 133 |
| Median age | 125th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Norfolk city 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' school search.