RANK #522 / 996 NAT · #10 / 37 VA · POP 249,377
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Chesapeake, Virginia, distinguishes itself with the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest continuously operating man-made canal in the United States, which forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This waterway, along with the expansive Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, offers significant outdoor recreation opportunities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Located in coastal Virginia, Chesapeake blends urban and rural landscapes. It is a short drive from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with commute options including regional bus services, though a car is often necessary due to the city's spread-out nature. The community maintains a suburban feel with access to natural scenery. Deep Creek Lock Park also provides trails and canoe access to the Dismal Swamp Canal.
Life in Chesapeake is often characterized by its family-friendly environment and access to quality education through Chesapeake Public Schools. The city has a diverse economy, attracting various businesses and offering a range of housing options. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into sectors like manufacturing and agribusiness, with companies expanding their operations. The city actively promotes economic development through investment programs and leveraging its Foreign Trade Zone status. However, the region faces challenges with housing affordability, as rents have increased, impacting critical workers.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Commercial Project (Chesapeake infrastructure)
Dominion Energy Virginia
|
$10,700M | Under Construction |
|
LS GreenLink Subsea Power Cable Manufacturing Facility
LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (subsidiary of LS Cable & System of South Korea)
|
$681M | Under Construction |
|
NextEra Chesapeake Solar PV Park
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$135M | Operating |
|
Chesapeake Solar Project
Chesapeake Solar Project, LLC
|
$132M | Operating |
|
Yadkins Energy Center (Battery Storage System)
Yadkins Energy Center, LLC
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Virginia Natural Gas Compressor Station
Virginia Natural Gas
|
$90M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chesapeake city scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#522). Median household income is $92,703 and job growth is running at +0.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Chesapeake city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $339,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,446/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Chesapeake city's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.1%). Home values shifted +2.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.36% of Chesapeake city's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.