10th most populous of 133
With 231,105 residents in 2024, Norfolk city ranks 10th by population among Virginia's 133 counties and is home to 2.6% of the state's residents.
Norfolk city is home to 231,105 people (2024 estimate) on 53 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
231,105
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
238,029
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−2.9%
2020–2024
Land area
53 mi²
138 km²
Population density
4,338.0 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
3,052
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,117
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+935
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−1,180
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$51,498
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$26.8 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$66,109
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
16.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
33.5%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
7.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$289,900
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.5%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024231,105▼ 2%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 231,105 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 242,803 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 234,986 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −1.7% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,370 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −2,550 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 13.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 9.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Virginia | 10th of 133 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $51,498 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $26.8 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $66,109 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 33.5% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $289,900 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,321/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 32.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 94,965 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Norfolk city in context
Comparable indicators for Norfolk city, Virginia and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Virginia | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −2.9% | +2.1% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 13.2 | 10.6 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.2 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -5.1 | 7.0 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 4338.0 | 223.2 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $51,498 | $77,351 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $66,109 | $93,170 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 9.9% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 33.5% | 42.2% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.9% | 13.1% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $289,900 | $383,700 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,321/month | $1,579/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 32.7 years | 39.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.3% | 67.3% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
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Did you know? Norfolk city
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 234,986 in 2000 to 231,105 in 2024, a change of −1.7%, compared with +24.0% for Virginia as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 3,052 births and 2,117 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 935.
Peak population in 2014
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 246,756 in 2014. The 2024 figure is 15,651 lower.
7th in density
Norfolk city has about 4338.0 residents per square mile of land, ranking 7th of 133 counties; Virginia averages 223.2.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $66,109 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 73rd of 133 Virginia counties; the state median is $93,170.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $26.8 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 6th largest among 133 Virginia counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 0.9% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS