RANK #707 / 996 · POP 137,217 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.0%
Hampton, Virginia, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited English-speaking settlement in North America, established in 1610. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of Hampton Roads, it is linked to Norfolk by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The city offers a blend of historic charm and natural beauty, with attractions like Fort Monroe and the Virginia Air and Space Center. Commuting within the Hampton Roads metropolitan area is primarily by car, though regional bus services and ferries connect Hampton to surrounding cities. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Buckroe Beach, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, and the Waterwalk trail, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports.
Life in Hampton is characterized by its connection to history and the water. The Hampton City Schools district serves nearly 20,000 students across 29 schools. The local economy is influenced by defense, energy, aerospace, and logistics, with recent investments in defense manufacturing and power systems. While the region has seen economic growth, challenges such as a housing shortage and the impact of federal policy changes are noted. Residents have access to various higher education institutions within the broader Hampton Roads area.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Downtown Hampton Master Plan Implementation (Mixed-Use/Residential)
City of Hampton & Private Developers
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Amazon Same-Day Delivery Facility
Amazon
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Infill Housing Plan
City of Hampton & Private Developers
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Renewable Natural Gas Project (Atlantic Treatment Plant)
Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) & Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)
|
$30M | Proposed |
|
Hampton VA 2 Battery Project
Unknown
|
$29M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hampton city has a Boom Town Index score of 29/100, ranking #707 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $64,430, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hampton city is $219,800 with median rent at $1,255/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2931, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed -0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.47% of Hampton city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.