Chesapeake city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Chesapeake city, Virginia has a total population of 251,153, the 2nd largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $94,189, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Chesapeake city is the 2nd largest city in Virginia with a population of 251,153.
Chesapeake city Quick Facts
How Chesapeake city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chesapeake city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Cities Similar to Chesapeake city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk city | 235,037 | $64,017 | $271,900 | 32.7% | 17.3% |
| Arlington CDP | 235,463 | $140,160 | $864,800 | 77.1% | 7.1% |
| Richmond city | 227,595 | $62,671 | $328,100 | 44.1% | 18.8% |
| Newport News city | 184,774 | $66,718 | $243,300 | 29.1% | 15.1% |
| Alexandria city | 156,788 | $113,638 | $696,800 | 65.8% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Chesapeake city is a major urban center located in Virginia, within Chesapeake city. The total population is 251,153. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chesapeake city is 37.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chesapeake city is $94,189. This is 4% higher than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $359,100. Housing costs are about average than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 73.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chesapeake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (28.5% vs 18.4%).
Education
36.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chesapeake city, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chesapeake city, Virginia?
Chesapeake city, Virginia has a population of 251,153 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chesapeake city, VA?
The median household income in Chesapeake city is $94,189, which is 20% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Chesapeake city, VA?
The poverty rate in Chesapeake city is 8.7%. This means approximately 21,444 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chesapeake city, Virginia?
Chesapeake city's population is 54.4% White, 28.5% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chesapeake city, VA?
The median home value in Chesapeake city is $359,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Chesapeake city, Virginia?
36.4% of adults (25+) in Chesapeake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.