CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Chesapeake

Virginia · 249,422 residents · 338.456 sq mi
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The short version

Chesapeake is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $81,261. Population has grown 25% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $286,000.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 59%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
249,422
+25%since 2000
from 199,184 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
737 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 589 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.0
+10%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
142K172K202K232K263K1990201020202024Chesapeake
2024253K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,261
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,743 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,420
+79%since 2000
from $20,949 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
53.5%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.6%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$286,000
+59%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $119,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,300
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $642 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.2%
−4.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
29.8% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+49%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chesapeake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic65.9%(131,200)
Black28.3%(56,442)
Hispanic / Latino2%(4,076)
Asian1.8%(3,638)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.1%(115,702)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic54.4%(135,679)
Black28.4%(70,885)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(17,824)
Asian3.6%(8,868)
Other4.7%(11,752)
Diversity Score75.1%(187,293)
Segregation Score33.4%(83,399)
Diversity Score
75
+29%since 2000
from 58 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
33
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.6%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 24.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.2%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 85.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.3 min
+70%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.2%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 85.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 6.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 69.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.6%
−24.9 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
6.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.8%
−83.4 ptssince 2013
from 90.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chesapeake

Barnstable County
Pop 233,539
Shelby County
Pop 238,552
San Luis Obispo County
Pop 282,367
Clay County
Pop 265,032
Places similar to Chesapeake
Head to head

Compare Chesapeake to nearby counties

CHESAPEAKE VS
Portsmouth
Income$60,491−26%
Home value$246,900−14%
Population96,777−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESAPEAKE VS
Virginia Beach
Income$92,968+14%
Home value$382,500+34%
Population453,737+78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESAPEAKE VS
Norfolk
Income$66,109−19%
Home value$289,900+1%
Population231,013−10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESAPEAKE VS
Suffolk
Income$92,666+14%
Home value$347,400+21%
Population104,699−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chesapeake, Virginia?

Chesapeake, Virginia has about 249,422 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chesapeake, Virginia?

The typical household in Chesapeake, Virginia earns about $81,261 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chesapeake, Virginia expensive?

In Chesapeake, Virginia, the median home is worth about $286,000, and the typical rent is about $1,300 a month.

How educated are people in Chesapeake, Virginia?

About 34.6% of adults age 25 and over in Chesapeake, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chesapeake, Virginia?

About 7.5% of people in Chesapeake, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chesapeake, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Chesapeake, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 97,446 residents, a change of about 64 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

61 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 208.04Census Tract 210.04Census Tract 213.01Census Tract 215.07Census Tract 214.02Census Tract 212Census Tract 200.03Census Tract 201Census Tract 210.10Census Tract 216.02Census Tract 215.05Census Tract 210.12Census Tract 208.09Census Tract 208.05Census Tract 210.05Census Tract 200.02Census Tract 208.11Census Tract 214.03Census Tract 211.04Census Tract 211.01
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 23322ZIP 23320ZIP 23323ZIP 23321ZIP 23324ZIP 23325
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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