Population 236,281 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Norfolk
Household size in Norfolk
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.76 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 2.66 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.36 | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Norfolk has 2.40 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.76 in 2006–10, 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
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.0 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.7 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.7 | 38.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.2 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Norfolk is young: half of its residents are under 35.2, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 32.0 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 22 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
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 13.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.7% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 12.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in seven households in Norfolk (15.5%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Norfolk has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Virginia cities.
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
Renters in Norfolk
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.5% | 35.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 56.4% | 37.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 56.7% | 38.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 53.8% | 36.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Norfolk rent: 53.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. About a third of owners (32.4%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Only 14 of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
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
| Period | Norfolk | 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 | 9.1% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Norfolk as nationally: 9.1%, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.1 points, in line with the national trend.
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
| Period | Norfolk | 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 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. Only nine of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people 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
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $946 | $1,107 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,093 | $1,232 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,203 | $1,358 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,451 | $1,647 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$505 | +$540 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Norfolk runs $1,451 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $505 a month since 2006–10, up 53%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.5% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the south.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Norfolk
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.9% | 27.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.4% | 28.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.5% | 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 (32.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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
| Period | Norfolk | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.9% | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.4% | 90.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.8% | 91.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.8% | 92.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Norfolk is a bit above the national rate: 90.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Still, the rate is lower than in the Virginia Beach area as a whole (92.8%). The share with a diploma has risen 5.9 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
| Period | Norfolk | 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 | 7.5% | 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 |
Unemployment runs a little high in Norfolk: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Of the 243 Virginia cities with 5,000+ people, only 22 have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 2.40 | 35.2 | 15.5% | 53.8% | 9.1% | 1967 | $1,451 | 32.4% | 90.8% | 6.2% |
| Portsmouth | 2.40 | 37.4 | 18.8% | 42.1% | 7.8% | 1968 | $1,420 | 24.0% | 88.8% | 6.8% |
| Chesapeake | 2.73 | 38.9 | 12.8% | 25.7% | 4.7% | 1989 | $1,814 | 36.7% | 94.2% | 4.7% |
| Virginia Beach area | 2.54 | 39.2 | 12.9% | 36.6% | 7.6% | 1982 | $1,647 | 35.4% | 92.8% | 4.9% |
| Carrollton | 2.60 | 39.2 | 7.8% | 27.3% | 6.0% | 2002 | $1,686 | 37.9% | 91.2% | 9.0% |
| Suffolk | 2.64 | 39.4 | 13.3% | 29.3% | 7.6% | 1992 | $1,673 | 33.5% | 91.3% | 5.1% |
| Longview | 2.36 | 51.5 | 4.2% | 10.5% | 10.0% | 1994 | $1,260 | 18.6% | 88.3% | 1.8% |
| Smithfield | 2.58 | 45.6 | 5.9% | 14.4% | 7.0% | 1992 | $1,217 | 35.0% | 94.0% | 2.3% |
| Everets | 2.26 | 50.9 | 6.2% | 17.3% | 16.4% | 1986 | $1,257 | 23.4% | 96.2% | 1.1% |
| Isle of Wight | 2.38 | 51.1 | 4.4% | 14.3% | 7.8% | 1994 | $1,275 | 13.2% | 81.3% | 6.1% |
| Orbit | 2.61 | 42.0 | 13.1% | 25.9% | 9.7% | 1993 | $1,060 | 20.6% | 94.5% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Salem, OR · Salinas, CA · Round Rock, TX · Salt Lake City, UT · Saginaw, MI · Salisbury, NC · Roswell, GA · Provo, UT · Portsmouth, VA · Renton, WA
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. 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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