Virginia Area Profiles
6 published city profiles across Virginia, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
OpportunityTop 30% of 51 states56
Growth31st of 51 states48
Housing affordability33rd of 51 states82
ClimateTop 16% of 51 states75
Physical resilienceTop 28% of 51 states71
Access39th of 51 states50
Economic stabilityTop 18% of 51 states79
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 456,349 | 59 | 33 | 69 |
| Chesapeake | 252,583 | 57 | 65 | 71 |
| Arlington | 236,254 | — | — | — |
| Norfolk | 233,596 | 41 | 26 | 61 |
| Richmond | 229,359 | 49 | 61 | 67 |
| Newport News | 184,216 | 44 | 6 | 62 |
Strongest opportunity
- Virginia Beach 59
- Chesapeake 57
- Richmond 49
- Newport News 44
- Norfolk 41
Fastest development
- Chesapeake 65
- Richmond 61
- Virginia Beach 33
- Norfolk 26
- Newport News 6
Statewide physical risk
HurricaneModerate
EarthquakeModerate
DroughtModerate
Cold waveModerate
Low or minimal exposure: lightning, heat wave, inland flooding, winter weather, strong wind, hail, ice storm, tornado, landslide, coastal flooding, wildfire, avalanche.
Population-weighted across every county in Virginia, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.52 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±7,402 | 3,365,732 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.1 | 39.0 | Bottom 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 8,705,170 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 220/sq mi | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 4.12 | Top 37% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.3% | Bottom 47% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±486 | 3,684,756 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$8 | $1,579 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$1,024 | $383,700 | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 20.3% | Top 35% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 8.7% | Bottom 25% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$458 | $93,170 | Top 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$254 | $50,666 | Top 18% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | Bottom 12% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 29.3 min | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42.2% | Top 14% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 4,328,714 | Top 22% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | -3.2% | Bottom 8% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | Bottom 34% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 4,495,534 | Top 22% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 65.4% | Top 29% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | 0.2% | Top 18% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | Bottom 36% | July 2026 |