Virginia Beach is located in the southeastern geographic area of Virginia and is the most populous city in the Commonwealth. Virginia Beach is part of the metropolitan area referred to as Hampton Roads.
The City of Virginia Beach combines the richness of the Hampton Roads heritage with the energy and zest of one of the most dynamic cities on the East Coast. Among its attractions are our highly acclaimed public education system, health care facilities, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater, the Virginia Beach Convention Center, and the Virginia Beach Sportsplex all near our 38 miles of Chesapeake Bay and
Atlantic Ocean beaches. Residents enjoy a moderate climate, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and the ever-changing beauty of the four seasons.
Virginia Beach is governed by a mayor who is one of an elected 11-member City Council. The Council, working closely with the School Board and Superintendent, appropriates funds for the school division’s operational and capital improvement budgets. School Board members are elected by the citizenry in November with elections held every two years. They serve overlapping four-year terms.
City Facts
- 42nd largest city in the United States, with approximately 441,000 residents
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Virginia Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 33rd in the United States
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Four military installations: Oceana, Little Creek, Fort Story, Dam Neck
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3 million visitors spent approximately $821 million
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Virginia Beach has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation for a city of its size, and is a safe place to live, work, and visit according to FBI statistics.
- Money Magazine ranked Virginia Beach the among the ten best big cities in America in 2006.
| Virginia Beach Area |
| Land: |
248 square miles |
| Water: |
59 square miles |
| Virginia Beach average elevation: |
12 feet (4 meters) above sea level |
| Race/Ethnicity |
| White |
69.11% |
| African-American |
19.84% |
| Asian/Pacific Islanders |
5.33% |
| American Indian or Alaskan Native |
0.38% |
| Two or More Races |
3.48% |
| Other |
1.74% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
4.94% |
| median age |
34.66 years |
| Male |
49.41% |
| Female |
50.59% |
| Number of Dwelling Units |
176,838 |
| Estimated Households |
162,877 |
| Average persons per household |
2.66 |
| Income |
| Median Household Income |
$56,882 |
| Under $24,999 |
14.16% |
| $25,000-$49,999 |
29.21% |
| $50,000-$74,999 |
24.10% |
| $75,000-$99,999 |
14.32% |
| $100,000+ |
18.22% |
| Climate |
| Average annual temperature |
60ºF |
| Average rainfall |
45 inches |
| Average snowfall |
7.6 inches |
| Education |
| Associates, Bachelors, Graduate Degrees |
35.48% |
| Some College(13-15) |
29.04% |
| High School Graduate (12) |
25.94% |
| Less Than High School Graduate (9-11) |
7.10% |
| Colleges and Universities in the Virginia Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School |
734 |
| Christopher Newport University |
4,681 |
| The College of William and Mary |
7,575 |
| Norfolk State University |
6,165 |
| Old Dominion University |
20,595 |
| Paul D. Camp Community College |
1,468 |
| Regent University |
6,776 |
| Thomas Nelson Community College |
8,515 |
| Tidewater Community College |
22,691 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University |
1,479 |
| Hampton University |
6,156 |
| City of Virginia Beach Tax Rates |
| Real Estate |
$0.89 per $100 assessed value |
| Personal Property |
$3.70 per $100 assessed value |
| Machinery & Tools |
$1.00 per $100 assessed value, 33% of original cost (Manufacturers) |
| Business Property |
$3.70 per $100 assessed value, 40% of original cost (Tangible Property) |
| Communications |
| Newspapers |
1 Daily |
| Local Television Stations |
8 |
| Radio Stations |
4 AM / 21 FM |
| Cable Service |
Available |
| Post Office |
15 |
Sources: Virginia Beach Economic Development, Claritas 2006 and Department of Media and Communications Development, Virginia Beach City Public Schools |
