Chesapeake, VA
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Chesapeake to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Chesapeake, Virginia

Life in Chesapeake research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Chesapeake over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Chesapeake based on the most recently available data.

252,583 Population
$420,755 Median home value
$95,373 Median income
117 Cost of living +17% vs US
$1,586 Median rent
4.9% Unemployment
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Chesapeake SnackAbility

8
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8/10
Housing 8.5/10
Affordability 6/10
Diversity 9/10
Safety 5/10
Amenities 8/10
Education 8.5/10
Commute 6/10

Crime in Chesapeake summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Chesapeake. Key points include:

  • There were 5,360 total crimes in Chesapeake in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Chesapeake is 2,083.6 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Chesapeake is 339.4 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Chesapeake is 1,744.2 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Chesapeake is -1.68% below the national average.

5,360
Total Crimes
-1.68%
Below National Average
Chesapeake
US

Crime In Chesapeake Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Chesapeake
/ 100k People
Virginia
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 5,360 2,083.6 1,787.6 2,119.2
Violent Crime 873 339.4 217.9 359.0
Murder 12 4.7 4.8 5.0
Robbery 115 44.7 33.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 686 266.7 152.2 256.0
Property Crime 4,487 1,744.2 1,569.7 1,760.0
Burglary 476 185.0 108.7 229.0
Larceny 3,721 1,446.5 1,315.9 1,272.0
Car Theft 290 112.7 145.1 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Chesapeake summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Chesapeake. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Virginia. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Chesapeake is 117 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Chesapeake is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Chesapeake is $420,755.

  • The median income in Chesapeake is $95,373.

117
Chesapeake's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Chesapeake
US

Cost Of Living In Chesapeake Comparison Table

Living Expense Chesapeake Virginia National Average
Overall 117 112 100
Services 104 103 100
Groceries 101 104 100
Health 149 131 100
Housing 107 105 100
Transportation 102 105 100
Utilities 103 104 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Chesapeake, VA Weather

  • The average high in Chesapeake is 69.9° and the average low is 50.8°.

  • There are 74.7 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 47.3 inches of precipitation each year with 5.2 inches of snow.

StatChesapeake
Average Annual High69.9
Average Annual Low50.8
Annual Precipitation Days74.7
Average Annual Precipitation47.3
Average Annual Snowfall5.2
69.9°
Average High
74.7
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Chesapeake, VA Photos

Great Dismal Swamp Canal
Source: Public Domain
Dismal Swamp
Source: Wikipedia User Ic3yme at English Wikiped | GFDL
Ca July Williamgrimes
Source: Public Domain

Rankings & Articles For Chesapeake

Locations Around Chesapeake

Map Of Chesapeake, VA

Best Places Around Chesapeake

1

Poquoson, VA
Population 12,639

$462,479+10% vs Chesapeake
2

Virginia Beach, VA
Population 456,349

$427,031+1% vs Chesapeake
3

Smithfield, VA
Population 8,834

$393,349-7% vs Chesapeake
4

Gloucester Point, VA
Population 11,109

$345,846-18% vs Chesapeake
5

Suffolk, VA
Population 98,796

$384,300-9% vs Chesapeake
6

Hampton, VA
Population 137,557

$275,340-35% vs Chesapeake
7

Newport News, VA
Population 184,216

$290,659-31% vs Chesapeake
8

Norfolk, VA
Population 233,596

$306,226-27% vs Chesapeake
9

Elizabeth, NJ
Population 137,302

$534,666+27% vs Chesapeake

Chesapeake Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Chesapeake

The current population in Chesapeake is 252,583. The population has increased 15.2% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 252,583 0.6%
2023 251,153 0.7%
2022 249,377 0.9%
2021 247,172 1.9%
2020 242,647 1.1%
2019 239,982 0.9%
2018 237,820 1.0%
2017 235,410 1.0%
2016 233,194 1.1%
2015 230,601 1.1%
2014 228,168 1.1%
2013 225,597 1.1%
2012 223,233 1.1%
2011 220,837 0.7%
2010 219,268 -

Race / Ethnicity in Chesapeake

White 53.8% (135,855)
African American 28.5% (71,944)
American Indian 0.1% (309)
Asian 3.8% (9,654)
Hawaiian 0.0% (118)
Other 0.7% (1,776)
Two Or More 5.4% (13,519)
Hispanic 7.7% (19,408)
See the full breakdown

Chesapeake is:

  • 53.8% White with 135,855 White residents.

  • 28.5% African American with 71,944 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 309 American Indian residents.

  • 3.8% Asian with 9,654 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 118 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.7% Other with 1,776 Other residents.

  • 5.4% Two Or More with 13,519 Two Or More residents.

  • 7.7% Hispanic with 19,408 Hispanic residents.

Race Chesapeake VA USA
White 53.8% 58.4% 57.4%
African American 28.5% 18.3% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.1% 0.5%
Asian 3.8% 6.9% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.7% 0.6% 0.6%
Two Or More 5.4% 4.7% 4.3%
Hispanic 7.7% 11.0% 19.3%

Gender in Chesapeake

Female 50.9% (128,619)
Male 49.1% (123,963)
See the full breakdown
  • Chesapeake is 50.9% female with 128,619 female residents.

  • Chesapeake is 49.1% male with 123,963 male residents.

Gender Chesapeake VA USA
Female 50.9% 50.6% 50.5%
Male 49.1% 49.4% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Chesapeake for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 2.0% (5,051)
9-12th Grade 4.0% (10,103)
High School / GED 25.0% (63,145)
Some College 23.0% (58,094)
Associate's Degree 10.0% (25,258)
Bachelor's Degree 22.0% (55,568)
Master's Degree 11.0% (27,784)
Professional Degree 2.0% (5,051)
Doctorate Degree 1.0% (2,525)
See the full breakdown
  • 2.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed < 9th grade.

  • 4.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed 9-12th grade.

  • 25.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed high school / ged.

  • 23.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed some college.

  • 10.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed associate's degree.

  • 22.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed bachelor's degree.

  • 11.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed professional degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Chesapeake completed doctorate degree.

Education Chesapeake VA USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 2.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 4.0% 5.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 25.0% 24.0% 26.0%
Some College 23.0% 18.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 10.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 22.0% 24.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 11.0% 14.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Chesapeake, Virginia

Less than $10,000 3.9% (992,246)
$10,000 to $14,999 2.2% (559,790)
$15,000 to $24,999 4.2% (1,071,021)
$25,000 to $34,999 6.1% (1,535,310)
$35,000 to $49,999 7.5% (1,894,655)
$50,000 to $74,999 15.3% (3,864,040)
$75,000 to $99,999 12.9% (3,252,182)
$100,000 to $149,999 20.3% (5,121,478)
$150,000 to $199,999 12.3% (3,110,548)
$200,000 or more 15.3% (3,857,025)
See the full breakdown
  • 3.9% of households in Chesapeake earn Less than $10,000.

  • 2.2% of households in Chesapeake earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 4.2% of households in Chesapeake earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.1% of households in Chesapeake earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 7.5% of households in Chesapeake earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 15.3% of households in Chesapeake earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 12.9% of households in Chesapeake earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 20.3% of households in Chesapeake earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 12.3% of households in Chesapeake earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 15.3% of households in Chesapeake earn $200,000 or more.

Income Chesapeake VA USA
Less than $10,000 3.9% 4.2% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.2% 2.7% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 4.2% 5.2% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.1% 5.7% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 7.5% 8.8% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 15.3% 14.3% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 12.9% 12.1% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 20.3% 18.1% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 12.3% 11.1% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 15.3% 17.7% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)