Population 233,596 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Norfolk City
Household size in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.76 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.66 | 2.66 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.57 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.39 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.37 | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Norfolk City are small: just 2.39 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.76, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.1 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.8 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.8 | 38.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.3 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Norfolk City is young: half of its residents are under 35.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.1, as it has nationally. Only nine of Virginia's 133 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 13.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.8% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.4% | 12.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Norfolk City (15.4%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Norfolk City has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of Virginia counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Norfolk City
Renters in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.4% | 35.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 56.3% | 37.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.6% | 38.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.7% | 36.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Norfolk City rent: 53.7% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 31.4% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Few Virginia counties have a higher share of renters: only ten of 133.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.2% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 9.7% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 9.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Norfolk City is close to the national rate: 9.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Virginia Beach area as a whole (7.6%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.0 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Norfolk City is a place of older homes: half were built before 1967, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the center has the oldest housing. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only ten have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $939 | $1,107 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,087 | $1,232 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,196 | $1,358 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,441 | $1,647 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$503 | +$540 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Norfolk City costs $1,441 a month with utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $503 a month from 2006–10, a 54% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.4% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Norfolk City
Bachelor's degrees in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.0% | 27.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.4% | 28.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.4% | 32.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.4% | 35.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Norfolk City (32.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 8.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the south.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.7% | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.3% | 90.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.7% | 91.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.7% | 92.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Norfolk City is close to the national rate: 90.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the wider Virginia Beach area (92.8%). The share with a diploma has risen 6.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Norfolk City
| Period | Norfolk City | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.7% | 6.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Norfolk City than nationally: unemployment was 6.2%, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 3.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Norfolk City compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk City | 2.39 | 35.3 | 15.4% | 53.7% | 9.2% | 1967 | $1,441 | 32.4% | 90.7% | 6.2% |
| Portsmouth City | 2.40 | 37.4 | 18.8% | 42.1% | 7.8% | 1968 | $1,420 | 24.0% | 88.8% | 6.8% |
| Chesapeake City | 2.73 | 38.9 | 12.7% | 25.6% | 4.7% | 1989 | $1,815 | 36.7% | 94.2% | 4.7% |
| Virginia Beach City | 2.60 | 39.4 | 12.2% | 34.9% | 6.6% | 1984 | $1,902 | 40.7% | 94.7% | 3.8% |
| Suffolk City | 2.64 | 39.4 | 13.3% | 29.3% | 7.6% | 1992 | $1,673 | 33.5% | 91.3% | 5.1% |
| Isle of Wight County | 2.55 | 44.0 | 7.3% | 19.9% | 8.1% | 1994 | $1,339 | 31.3% | 92.0% | 4.1% |
| Southampton County | 2.38 | 47.8 | 10.1% | 23.9% | 10.6% | 1983 | $1,018 | 20.3% | 87.8% | 5.6% |
| Sussex County | 2.37 | 41.8 | 14.7% | 30.3% | 19.9% | 1983 | $913 | 16.6% | 83.9% | 3.9% |
| Greensville County | 2.57 | 41.9 | 22.4% | 33.7% | 19.6% | 1982 | $1,024 | 16.3% | 81.5% | 5.8% |
| Brunswick County | 2.16 | 45.7 | 17.4% | 25.6% | 18.8% | 1980 | $954 | 16.9% | 82.9% | 3.7% |
| Lunenburg County | 2.39 | 43.7 | 10.3% | 28.5% | 18.1% | 1972 | $802 | 12.5% | 80.4% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Weber County, UT · Cherokee County, GA · Chesapeake City, VA · Clay County, FL · Clay County, MO · Cumberland County, NC · Thurston County, WA · Tuscaloosa County, AL · Union County, NC · Washington County, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Norfolk City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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