RANK #624 / 996 NAT · #20 / 37 VA · POP 457,900
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Virginia Beach, Virginia, is distinguished by its extensive coastline, including the Guinness World Record-holding "largest pleasure beach on Earth". Located in the southeastern corner of Virginia where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, it is about 18 miles from Norfolk. The city offers a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes, with over 7,000 acres of parks and natural areas, including First Landing State Park, which offers miles of hiking and biking trails. Locals often frequent Chic's Beach for its calm waters, ideal for paddling and families. Commuting within the city is possible via the Hampton Roads Transit bus system and seasonal trolleys, though transit infrastructure is largely geared towards tourists.
Life in Virginia Beach offers a coastal lifestyle with a focus on outdoor activities and a family-friendly atmosphere. The Virginia Beach City Public Schools system is among the top-performing in the nation, with 86 accredited schools. The economy, historically reliant on defense and tourism, is undergoing diversification. While tourism remains a significant contributor, generating billions annually, there is a push to expand beyond these traditional sectors. The city is seeing investment in infrastructure and efforts to support local business growth and entrepreneurship.
Above national median (4.7x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center and Delivery Station
Amazon
|
$109,000M | Under Construction |
|
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW)
Dominion Energy
|
$11,000M | Under Construction |
|
Oceana 230kV Battery Project
Undisclosed (PJM interconnection queue)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
PointOne NAP of Virginia Beach Data Center Campus
PointOne Development Corp.
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Globalinx Subsea Cable Landing Station Expansion
Globalinx
|
$39M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 37/100, Virginia Beach city faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $87,544 combined with job growth of +0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Virginia Beach city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $343,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,568/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Virginia Beach city are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.5%. Home values shifted +2.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Virginia Beach city has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.