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CITY · 2020 ACS

Norfolk

Virginia · 238,005 residents · 53.275 sq mi
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The short version

Norfolk has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,026. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $215,800. At a median age of 31.6, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 31% less than the Virginia median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 31.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
238,005
+2%since 2000
from 234,403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
4,467 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 4,400 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
31.6
+7%since 2000
from 29.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
231K239K247K256K264K1990201020202024Norfolk
2024234K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,026
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,815 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,706
+77%since 2000
from $17,372 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$215,800
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,077
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $538 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
42.8%
−2.8 ptssince 2000
from 45.5% in 2000
57.2% rent
Afford Score
4.1
+47%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Norfolk on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic47%(110,221)
Black43.6%(102,268)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(8,915)
Asian2.8%(6,477)
Other0%
Diversity Score70.3%(164,761)
2020
White, non-Hispanic40.8%(97,205)
Black39.3%(93,553)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(23,130)
Asian3.7%(8,828)
Other4.9%(11,714)
Diversity Score81.9%(194,916)
Diversity Score
82
+17%since 2000
from 70 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.0%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.1%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 78.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+59%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 68.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 70.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.8%
−28.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
47.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
7.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−71.1 ptssince 2013
from 82.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Norfolk

Bayview BeachDowntownEast Ocean ViewFairmount ParkGhentNorthsideRooseveltWards CornerNeighborhoods in Norfolk
Drill deeper

Places similar to Norfolk

Des Moines
Pop 212,086
Worcester
Pop 213,862
Chattanooga
Pop 194,144
Providence
Pop 195,310
Places similar to Norfolk
Head to head

Compare Norfolk to nearby cities

NORFOLK VS
Portsmouth
Income$60,491+14%
Home value$246,900+14%
Population96,777−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORFOLK VS
Hampton
Income$69,621+31%
Home value$245,700+14%
Population137,315−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORFOLK VS
Poquoson
Income$120,972+128%
Home value$400,300+85%
Population13,292−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NORFOLK VS
Carrollton
Income$110,956+109%
Home value$423,900+96%
Population8,436−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Norfolk, Virginia?

Norfolk, Virginia has about 238,005 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Norfolk, Virginia?

The typical household in Norfolk, Virginia earns about $53,026 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Norfolk, Virginia expensive?

In Norfolk, Virginia, the median home is worth about $215,800, and the typical rent is about $1,077 a month.

How educated are people in Norfolk, Virginia?

About 30.0% of adults age 25 and over in Norfolk, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Norfolk, Virginia?

About 17.8% of people in Norfolk, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Norfolk, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Norfolk, Virginia has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 23,224 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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