Chesapeake city: Demographics & People
252,583 people call Chesapeake city home, in 93,626 households. Median age 37.9 years. Population is 29% Black and 8% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 69 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 14% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 63 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 252,583; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 252,583 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 249,422 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 37.9y is 1.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| 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 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 24.2% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 21.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 39.8% |
| Median age | 37.9 years (at Virginia median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · 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).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 252,583 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 139,259 |
| Black residents | 73,386 |
| Asian residents | 9,781 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 457 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 140 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 6,606 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 22,954 |
| Diversity Index | 60.1% |
| Asian population | 3.9% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 29.1% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 7.7% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 16.0% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 252,583 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 237,869 |
| Residents born in this state | 130,212 |
| Residents born in another state | 101,391 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 40,412 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 15,660 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 6,266 |
| Foreign-born residents | 16.0% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
93,626 households.
| Family households | 66,578 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 93,626 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 69 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| 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 2022-2023
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.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 240,988 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 31,423 |
| Pct With Disability | 13.0% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
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. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 4,121 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 250,144 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 218,883 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 8,569 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 11,706 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 9,877 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 1,109 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 31,261 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 12.5% |
| Pct White | 55.1% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29