Demographics/Quick Facts
Population 237,835
48.36% White
44.11% African American
2.81% Asian
4.72 Other
Median Age: 30 years
Median Household Income: $31,815
Land 53.7 square miles

Norfolk is a city in the Hampton Roads area. It is an independent city, and therefore not included in any county. Norfolk is one of Virginia’s largest cities. The “L” in Norfolk is generally only pronounced by those from other locales and is considered incorrect by most people from the region. It is one of the top 10 markets for business relocation and expansion, according to Expansion Management Magazine.

Norfolk, located on the Elizabeth River, is a city of some 237,000 residents and more than 100 diverse neighborhoods. It is the cultural, educational, business and medical center of Hampton Roads, hosts the region’s international airport and is one of the busiest international ports on the East Coast of the United States.

The city is undergoing a successful renewal, including new office, retail, entertainment and hotel construction downtown, new residential development along the rivers and bay front, and revitalization projects in many of its neighborhoods. USA Today called Norfolk one of the Top 10 booming downtowns, recognizing a decades-long housing, retail and financial boom in Norfolk.

Perhaps Norfolk’s greatest strength is its neighborhoods. There are more than 120, with a head-turning character all their own. They attract new residents who long to put down roots in established neighborhoods; entice military retirees to stay or return; and hold families here for generations. From charming starter homes to grand residences, from downtown lofts and town homes to brand new developments along the Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk offers a range of architectural styles and prices.

Norfolk has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point. Norfolk is home to the Norfolk Naval Base, the world’s largest naval base, and the Norfolk Southern Railway, one of North America’s principal Class I railroads. It has many miles of riverfront and bay front property, and is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes.

Norfolk is a major military center. With Portsmouth (directly across the Elizabeth River), it forms an extensive naval complex. The headquarters of the 5th Naval District, the Atlantic Fleet, the 2nd Fleet, and the Supreme Allied Command are at Sewell’s Point. The Norfolk Navy Base is the largest naval base in the United States and includes a naval air station and other facilities. Several vessels of the Navy have been named USS Norfolk after the city.