RANK #730 / 996 NAT · #22 / 37 VA · POP 137,217
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
At 26/100, Hampton city faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $64,430 combined with job growth of +1.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Hampton city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $219,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,255/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Hampton city are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved -0.6% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 5.47% of Hampton 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.