Population 24,035 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in South Norfolk
Household size in South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.65 | 2.78 | 2.64 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.74 | 2.80 | 2.66 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.85 | 2.80 | 2.61 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.74 | 2.73 | 2.54 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.09 | −0.04 | −0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in South Norfolk average 2.74 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.65, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the south.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.4 | 37.0 | 37.0 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.0 | 37.8 | 37.6 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 34.7 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.4 | 38.9 | 39.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +1.9 | +2.2 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
South Norfolk is young: half of its residents are under 35.4, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.4, as it has nationally. Only one other Chesapeake neighborhood is 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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.7% | 13.4% | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.4% | 12.7% | 13.6% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 13.0% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 12.8% | 12.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in South Norfolk (16.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Few Chesapeake neighborhoods have a higher share of single-parent households: only two of 14.
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 South Norfolk
Renters in South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1% | 25.2% | 35.1% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 41.3% | 28.4% | 37.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 36.6% | 28.8% | 38.4% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 35.6% | 25.7% | 36.6% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in South Norfolk is about as common as it is nationally: 35.6% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Chesapeake as a whole (25.7%). Among owners, 32.4% have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Few Chesapeake neighborhoods have a higher share of renters: only two of 14.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 9.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 7.0% | 9.7% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 4.7% | 7.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −0.6 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in South Norfolk: 7.9% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Even so, the rate is higher than in Chesapeake as a whole (4.7%). Vacancy is up 2.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1983 | 1977 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1984 | 1979 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1987 | 1980 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1989 | 1982 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in South Norfolk run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1974 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the north has the oldest housing. South Norfolk has the oldest homes of any Chesapeake neighborhood.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $917 | $1,218 | $1,107 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,147 | $1,371 | $1,232 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,192 | $1,506 | $1,358 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,438 | $1,814 | $1,647 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$521 | +$595 | +$540 | +$600 | +$606 |
The median renter in South Norfolk pays $1,438 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $521 a month from 2006–10, a 57% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 36.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. South Norfolk has the lowest rents of any Chesapeake neighborhood.
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 South Norfolk
Bachelor's degrees in South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 28.4% | 27.5% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 29.9% | 28.9% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 33.2% | 32.0% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 36.7% | 35.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in South Norfolk: 20.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.7 points, mirroring the country. Only two of Chesapeake's 14 neighborhoods have a lower share of college graduates.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.2% | 89.3% | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.6% | 91.0% | 90.0% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.2% | 92.3% | 91.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.9% | 94.2% | 92.8% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.7 pts | +4.9 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in South Norfolk have finished high school as nationally: 89.9%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Chesapeake as a whole (94.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.7 points, as it has nationally.
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 South Norfolk
| Period | South Norfolk | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach area | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 4.8% | 6.5% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.9% | 7.6% | 8.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.1% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.3% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in South Norfolk is close to the national rate: 5.3% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.2 points, 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).
South Norfolk compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Norfolk | 2.74 | 35.4 | 16.9% | 35.6% | 7.9% | 1974 | $1,438 | 20.5% | 89.9% | 5.3% |
| Indian River | 2.70 | 37.7 | 21.0% | 45.3% | 4.7% | 1976 | $1,453 | 26.6% | 88.7% | 5.3% |
| Greenbrier West | 2.17 | 39.2 | 12.6% | 43.4% | 4.5% | 1994 | $1,576 | 39.8% | 95.6% | 3.9% |
| Deep Creek North | 2.86 | 38.7 | 17.1% | 21.1% | 6.5% | 1978 | $1,443 | 18.7% | 90.0% | 9.6% |
| Central Brambleton | 2.78 | 29.2 | 27.8% | 74.6% | 17.4% | 1986 | $763 | 29.7% | 88.2% | 22.0% |
| Downtown Norfolk | 1.78 | 33.4 | 17.9% | 81.2% | 7.8% | 1971 | $1,362 | 49.8% | 92.1% | 5.5% |
| Greenbrier East | 2.37 | 40.2 | 9.0% | 30.6% | 4.9% | 1996 | $1,936 | 42.3% | 96.5% | 3.4% |
| Ghent Square | 1.68 | 37.7 | 3.9% | 67.5% | 7.8% | 1975 | $1,724 | 71.7% | 99.1% | 1.7% |
| Ghent | 1.73 | 39.5 | 2.4% | 63.4% | 6.1% | 1947 | $1,397 | 64.5% | 98.6% | 5.8% |
| Deep Creek South | 3.25 | 37.9 | 5.9% | 7.7% | 3.1% | 2003 | $2,492 | 49.3% | 95.9% | 4.0% |
| Lindenwood | 2.41 | 34.8 | 19.1% | 56.9% | 16.9% | 1955 | $1,217 | 25.9% | 86.2% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bergen-Lafayette, Jersey City, NJ · Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY · Cedar Brook, Philadelphia, PA · Central Colorado City, Colorado Springs, CO · Stanford University, Stanford, CA · Oakland City, Atlanta, GA · Old Northwest-West University, Reno, NV · Point Breeze-Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA · Poplar-Ludlow-Yorktowne, Philadelphia, PA · Portar Ranch, Northridge, CA
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 South 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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