Virginia Beach: Population Profile

Metropolitan Area Residents

1980: 1,201,000 (MSA)

1990: 1,444,710 (MSA)

2000: 1,569,541(MSA)

2003 estimate: 1,637,251

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.8%

U.S. rank in 1980: 31st (MSA)

U.S. rank in 1990: 28th (MSA)

U.S. rank in 2000: 33rd (MSA)

City Residents

1980: 262,000

1990: 393,089

2000: 425,257

2003 estimate: 439,467

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.2%

U.S. rank in 1980: 56th

U.S. rank in 1990: 37th (State rank: 1st)

U.S. rank in 2000: 38th (State rank: 1st)

Density: 1,712.7 people per square mile (2000)

Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000)

White: 303,681

Black: 80,593

American Indian and Alaskan Native: 1,619

Asian: 20,869

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander: 416

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 17,770

Other: 6,402

Percent of residents born in state: 37.7 (2000)

Age characteristics (2000)

Poplation under 5 years old: 30,616

Poplation 5 to 9 years old: 33,523

Poplation 10 to 14 years old: 33,749

Poplation 15 to 19 years old: 30,239

Poplation 20 to 24 years old: 31,313

Poplation 25 to 34 years old: 69,842

Poplation 35 to 44 years old: 75,897

Poplation 45 to 54 years old: 53,798

Poplation 55 to 59 years old: 17,465

Poplation 60 to 64 years old: 12,882

Poplation 65 to 74 years old: 20,735

Poplation 75 to 84 years old: 11,649

Population 85 years and older: 3,549

Median age: 32.7 years

Births (2003)

Total number: 6,370

Deaths (2003)

Total number: 2,311 (of which, 19 were infants under the age of 1 year)

Money income (1999)

Per capita income: $22,365 (1999)

Median household income: $48,705

Total households: 154,635

Number of households with income of . . .

less than $10,000: 6,628

$10,000 to $14,999: 5,344

$15,000 to $24,999: 15,496

$25,000 to $34,999: 21,204

$35,000 to $49,999: 30,976

$50,000 to $74,999: 37,918

$75,000 to $99,999: 18,367

$100,000 to $149,999: 12,620

$150,000 to $199,999: 2,794

$200,000 or more: 3,288

Percent of families below poverty level: 5.1% (55% of which were female householder families in poverty)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 15,492

Virginia Beach

The City in Brief

Founded: 1906 (city formed by merger with Princess Anne County, 1963)

Head Official: Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf (since July 1988); City Manager James Spore (since November 1991)

City Population

1980: 262,000

1990: 393,089

2000: 425,257

2003 estimate: 439,467

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.2%

U.S. rank in 1980: 56th

U.S. rank in 1990: 37th (State rank: 1st)

U.S. rank in 2000: 38th (State rank: 1st)

Metropolitan Area Population

1980: 1,201,000

1990: 1,445,000

2000: 1,569,541

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.8%

U.S. rank in 1980: 31st (MSA)

U.S. rank in 1990: 28th (MSA)

U.S. rank in 2000: 33rd (MSA)

Area: 248 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Sea level to 12 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 59.6° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 45.74 inches

Major Economic Sectors: services, wholesale and retail trade, government

Unemployment rate: 4.0% (December 2004)

Per Capita Personal Income: $22,365 (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 15,492

Major Colleges and Universities: Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, ODU/NSU Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan College, Tidewater Community College

Daily Newspaper: The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH

VIRGINIA BEACH, located on Cape Henry at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, the site of the first landing of the Jamestown colonists in 1607. Later in the 1620s, a community known as Lynnhaven grew up in what became Princess Anne County by 1691. After piracy in the area was eradicated in the early eighteenth century, trade emerged as a mainstay of the local economy. To diminish dangers to merchant shipping, the Cape Henry lighthouse was erected in 1792.

In the 1880s Virginia Beach became a popular seaside resort with several luxury hotels. The most famous of these, the Cavalier Hotel, opened in 1927 and became known as the "Queen of the Beach." Although the tourist industry remained a crucial part of the local economy through the twentieth century, the U.S. military—particularly Oceana Naval Air Station—proved an essential catalyst for the city's rapid post–World War II growth.

Another factor in that growth was "white flight," as nearby Norfolk desegregated in the late 1950s and 1960s. In 1963 city and county merged, creating Virginia's largest city. Public hostility kept African Americans from moving in significant numbers to "the Beach," making the city somewhat of an anomaly among southern cities; the 2000 population of 425,257 was overwhelmingly white relative to other urban areas in Virginia and the region.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Beach: A History of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach Public Library, 1996.

J. FredSaddler

See alsoSun Belt .

Virginia Beach: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

Virginia Beach's daily newspaper, the morning The Virginian-Pilot, is published in Norfolk. The Virginia Beach Sun is the city's weekly community newspaper. Beach: The Magazine of Virginia Beach is a quarterly magazine produced by the city. Also published in Virginia Beach are Senior Times, a shopper; The Shilling, a journal focusing on ways to make money; Tidewater Parent, Port Folio Weekly, and Tidewater Women.

Television and Radio

Virginia Beach is served by cable television and by stations broadcasting from the surrounding Hampton Roads area. Seven AM and FM radio stations provide music, talk shows, and religious programming.

Media Information: The Virginian-Pilot, Landmark Communications, 150 W. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510; telephone (757)446-9000; toll-free (800)446-2005; email vpquestions/comments@pilotonline.com

Virginia Beach Online

City of Virginia Beach home page. Available www.vbgov.com

Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Available www.vbcps.k12.va.us

Virginia Beach Public Library. Available www.vbgov.com/dept/library

Virginia Beach Tourist Information. Available www.vbfun.com

Virginian Pilot. Available www.pilotonline.com

Selected Bibliography

Jackson, Katherine, Walking Virginia Beach (Helena, Mont.: Falcon Publishing Co., 1999)

Virginia Beach: Introduction

The city of Virginia Beach combines the elegance of a rich past with the energy of one of the most rapidly developing cities on the East Coast. Virginia Beach is part of a seven-city metropolitan area called Hampton Roads. Among the attractions of the city are 30 miles of shoreline with 28 miles of public beach, state-of-the-art medical facilities, and the ever-changing beauty of its four moderate seasons. Civic leaders, working together to ensure that growth is orderly and sensitive to environmental concerns, have formulated and implemented strategic plans for land use, economic development, and education. The city is home of "The Golden Mile," a rapidly growing cluster of new high-technology firms.

The city's location, temperate climate, quality labor force, economic stability, competitive taxes, and good transportation system have attracted a growing number of national and international firms who have relocated their corporate headquarters to the area. The city's economy is strengthened by a strong tourist and convention industry, four major military bases, stable real estate, construction, retail and wholesale trade, and distribution. History buff, entrepreneur, culture-lover, or nature enthusiast, Virginia Beach offers something for everyone.

Virginia Beach: Convention Facilities

In the summer of 2005 a new $202 million Virginia Beach Convention Center is scheduled to open its first phase, and the Pavilion Convention Center will be demolished. When finally completed in 2007, the new 500,000 square foot center will have a 150,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 31,000 square foot banquet room, 29,000 square feet of meeting space, and 2,230 free parking spaces. Many other downtown hotels offer meeting and convention facilities.

Convention Information: Virginia Beach Department of Convention and Visitor Development, 2101 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; telephone (757)437-4700; toll-free (800)700-7702; fax (757)437-4747

Virginia Beach: Municipal Government

An eleven-member city council and a city manager govern Virginia Beach. Seven council seats are filled by individuals who reside in the seven boroughs of the city, and there are no borough residency requirements for the remaining four seats. The mayor is elected by voters and occupies one of the "at large" seats.

Head Officials: Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf (since July 1988; current term expires 2008); City Manager James Spore (since November 1991)

Total Number of City Employees: 6,000 (2005)

City Information: City of Virginia Beach, 1 Municipal Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23456; telephone (757) 427-4601