Chesapeake: Demographics & People
252,583 people call Chesapeake home, in 93,626 households. Population grew 0.6% from 251,153 (2022) to 252,583 (2024). Median age 37.9 years. Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 54% White (non-Hispanic) and 28% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.56). 71% of households are family-led. County is gaining 69 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 29% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 63 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.6% from 251,153 (2022) to 252,583 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~254,024 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 255,956.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 249,422 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 251,153 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 252,583 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 252,583 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 255,956 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.9y is 1.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.9 years (at Virginia median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 24.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 252,583 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 61,025 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 54,335.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 100,426.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 36,797 |
| Population under 18 | 61,025 |
| Median age | 37.9 years (at Virginia median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 252,583 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.56 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 141,037 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 72,892 |
| Asian residents | 9,362 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 18,598 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 56.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 58.3% |
| Asian population | 3.8% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 28.5% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.7% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 53.8% (at Virginia median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 130,212 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 101,391 |
| Share born in this state | 51.6% |
| Share born in another state | 48.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 40.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 15,004 |
| From Europe | 1,805 |
| From Asia | 132 |
| From Africa | 5,917 |
| From Latin America | 277 |
Households & Family Composition
93,626 households. Averaging 2.7 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 71% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 66,884 families, 32% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 61,100 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 66,884 |
| Married couples with children | 21,525 |
| Single-parent households | 1,930 |
| Average household size | 2.67 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 5,266 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 2,338 |
| Family households | 66,578 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 71.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 93,626 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 12.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 69 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 12.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 250,287 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 250,218 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 69 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 13,249 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 4,121 residents live in group quarters (1.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 4,121 |
|---|
Veterans
| Veterans Services · Total count | 2 |
|---|
Sources: IRS BMF keyword
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51550 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 550 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Chesapeake City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 13.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 11.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51550 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Chesapeake city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 6,901 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51550 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Chesapeake city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 64.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 54.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 19.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 244,835 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 50 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 76 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 24.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 252,583, stable, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 252,583 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Chesapeake city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade