Chesapeake, Virginia
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SELLING A CHESAPEAKE HOME
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LIVING IN CHESAPEAKE
Chesapeake, located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Coastal Virginia, invites you to explore its captivating history and rich culture.
Edgar Allan Poe reportedly wrote parts of his famous poem “The Raven” while visiting the Dismal Swamp Canal. Experience adventure while exploring salt waterways, scenic trails at Northwest River Park, and local wildlife at Great Dismal Swamp.
Don’t miss the city’s numerous cultural events and festivals held throughout the year. Enjoy unforgettable dining experiences at various restaurants nearby and shopping at the popular Greenbrier Mall. There’s so much to see and do in Chesapeake—why not enjoy it all?
Chesapeake is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2023 census, the population was 334,914,895; in 2013, the population was estimated to be 232,977, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia.
Chesapeake is part of the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News, VA–NC MSA. It was organized in 1963 through voter referendums. This consolidation merged the city of South Norfolk with remnants of Norfolk County, which dates back to 1691. Much of the county’s territory had already been annexed by other cities. Chesapeake is the second-largest city by land area in Virginia and the 17th-largest city in the United States.
Chesapeake features urban areas alongside protected farmland, forests, and wetlands, including a portion of the Great Dismal Swamp Refuge. The city extends from the rural North Carolina border to the Hampton Roads harbor area, adjacent to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. It boasts miles of waterfront industrial, commercial, and residential property.
In 2011, Chesapeake was ranked the 21st best city in America by Bloomberg Businessweek. The city also hosts the international headquarters for Dollar Tree.
HISTORY
In 1963, Chesapeake became an independent city from the consolidation of South Norfolk and Norfolk County, approved by local voters. Thus, the Virginia General Assembly authorized this name change following referendums in both communities. Norfolk County was formed in 1691 and originally included areas that became Norfolk, Portsmouth, and South Norfolk. Moreover, its territory reduced after 1871 due to annexations by those cities.
South Norfolk became an incorporated town in 1919 and gained independent city status in 1922. Residents wanted equal standing with larger Norfolk and Portsmouth. By the late 1950s, South Norfolk risked losing land to Norfolk in a potential annexation lawsuit, despite its immunity from annexation.
The Chesapeake consolidation occurred during a wave of local government changes in southeastern Virginia from 1952 to 1975. The region was among the first settled during the colonial era, starting from the coast. The Battle of Great Bridge site along the Intracoastal Waterway marked a significant historical event during the American Revolutionary War.
The battle, fought on December 9, 1775, led to Lord Dunmore’s removal from Virginia’s government. Until the late 1980s, much of Chesapeake was suburban or rural, serving as a bedroom community for Norfolk and Virginia Beach. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Chesapeake experienced rapid growth, attracting various industries and businesses.
This growth strained municipal infrastructure, resulting in issues like saltwater intrusion into the water supply and congested roads. Chesapeake gained national attention in 2003 as the venue for the trial of alleged Beltway sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. A jury convicted him but sentenced him to life without parole, as he was 17 during the crime spree.
His older partner, John Allen Muhammad, received the death sentence for his role in the attacks.
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GEOGRAPHY
Chesapeake is located at 36°46′2″N 76°17′14″W (36.767398, -76.287405). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 351 square miles (910 km2), of which 341 square miles (880 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (2.9%) is water. The northeastern part of the Great Dismal Swamp is located in Chesapeake.
DIVERSE ENVIRONMENT
Chesapeake is one of Virginia’s largest cities in land area, presenting challenges for municipal infrastructure support. Furthermore, the city features many distinct communities, both historically and geographically. City leaders face conflicts between developing areas and preserving virgin forests and wetlands. A significant portion of the Great Dismal Swamp is within the southwestern section of the city limits.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Here’s the updated demographic information for Chesapeake, Virginia based on the 2020 U.S. Census data:
2020 Census Demographics for Chesapeake, Virginia:
- Population: 252,000
- Households: 83,000
- Families: 61,000
- Population Density: 677.3 people per square mile (261.4/km²)
- Housing Units: 85,000
- Average Housing Density: 230.0 per square mile (88.9/km²)
Racial Makeup:
- White: 57.4%
- Black or African American: 32.2%
- Native American: 0.4%
- Asian: 2.9%
- Pacific Islander: 0.1%
- Other Races: 1.6%
- Two or More Races: 3.8%
- Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 5.3%
Household Composition:
- 41.5% of households have children under the age of 18 living with them.
- 58.0% are married couples living together.
- 14.5% have a female householder with no husband present.
- 22.3% are non-family households.
- 19.5% of all households consist of individuals.
- 6.5% of households have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older.
The average household size is 3.0, and the average family size is 3.3.
Age Distribution:
- Under 18 years: 26.2%
- 18 to 24 years: 8.0%
- 25 to 44 years: 30.5%
- 45 to 64 years: 22.5%
- 65 years and older: 13.0%
The median age is 37 years.
For every 100 females, there are 95.3 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.0 males.
Economic Data:
- Median Household Income: $63,000
- Median Family Income: $68,000
- Male Median Income: $50,000
- Female Median Income: $35,000
- Per Capita Income: $28,000
Poverty Rate:
- 8.9% of families and 11.2% of the population are below the poverty line.
- 14.5% of individuals under age 18 live below the poverty line.
- 10.0% of those age 65 or older live below the poverty line.
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