Virginia Beach had 453,737 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates: Virginia's largest city, up 3.6% since 2010 but below the 2020 count.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is linked to the table it came from. Questions about Census data: the Census Bureau’s customer line, 1-800-923-8282. This page is updated when the bureau publishes new figures.
Virginia Beach had an estimated 453,737 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city population estimates. That makes it the largest city in Virginia and in Hampton Roads. Because Virginia Beach is an independent city, the city and the county-level area are the same place, so the city and “county” figures match.
What this means for you
- The city’s population has been roughly flat for five years, hovering around 454,000.
- Incomes and home values track the state average, and are higher than the metro area’s.
- See Census QuickFacts for Virginia Beach for a one-page summary.
Growth since 2010
| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| April 2010 | 437,994 | 2010 census |
| April 2020 | 459,470 | 2020 census |
| July 2024 | 453,763 | Vintage 2025 estimates |
| July 2025 | 453,737 | Vintage 2025 estimates |
The city added 21,476 people, or 4.9%, between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. Since then the bureau’s estimates have edged down, and the July 2025 figure is 5,733 people, or 1.2%, below the 2020 count. From 2024 to 2025 the estimate barely moved, falling by 26 people. Compared with 2010, the city is 3.6% larger.
Estimates for 2011 to 2019 come from the bureau’s Vintage 2020 series.
Age, households and income
From the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates:
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Virginia Beach metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | 39.0 | 37.4 |
| Under 18 | 21.9% | 21.7% | 22.0% |
| 65 and older | 15.9% | 16.7% | 16.2% |
| Households | 179,851 | 3,365,732 | 707,408 |
| Average household size | 2.49 | 2.52 | 2.45 |
| Median household income | $92,968 | $93,170 | $82,330 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+) | 40.9% | 42.2% | 35.8% |
Sources: age and population (DP05), households and education (DP02), income (DP03). The metro is the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metro Area.
Housing
| Measure | Virginia Beach | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Housing units | 191,294 | 3,684,756 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.1% | 67.3% |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $382,500 | $383,700 |
| Median gross rent | $1,714 a month | $1,579 a month |
Source: housing (DP04). These are survey averages over five years. For this month’s market, see Virginia Beach home prices.
How Virginia Beach compares with its neighbors
| City | July 2025 estimate | Change since 2020 base | Median household income (2020-2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 453,737 | -1.2% | $92,968 |
| Chesapeake | 255,332 | +2.4% | $95,373 |
| Norfolk | 231,013 | -3.0% | $66,109 |
| Suffolk | 104,699 | +10.9% | $92,666 |
| Portsmouth | 96,777 | -1.2% | $60,491 |
Change is measured from the bureau’s April 2020 estimates base. Suffolk is the fastest growing city in the region, and Chesapeake has also grown; Norfolk and Virginia Beach have edged down.
Notes on the numbers
The census is a count; the yearly figures are estimates built from births, deaths and migration, and the bureau revises them each year. American Community Survey figures are five-year averages with margins of error, shown on each linked table.
Related: home prices, schools and moving to Virginia Beach.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Virginia Beach?
The Census Bureau estimates Virginia Beach had 453,737 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 459,470.
Is Virginia Beach growing or shrinking?
It grew 4.9% between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, from 437,994 to 459,470. Since 2020 the estimates have dipped, and the 2025 estimate is about 1.2% below the 2020 count, nearly unchanged from 2024.
What is the median household income in Virginia Beach?
$92,968 in the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, close to Virginia’s $93,170 and above the metro area’s $82,330.
What is the median age in Virginia Beach?
37.9 years in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. About 15.9% of residents are 65 or older and 21.9% are under 18.
Is Virginia Beach the largest city in Virginia?
Yes. At 453,737 in the 2025 estimates it is far larger than Chesapeake, the next biggest Hampton Roads city, at 255,332.
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