Chesapeake, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chesapeake, Virginia is 251,153 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 90th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in Virginia. The median household income is $94,189, the median home value is $359,100, and the median age is 37.7.
The population has grown 14.1% since 2010 (223,556 → 254,997).
251,153
Population
742
People / sq mi
$94,189
Median Income
$359,100
Median Home Value
Chesapeake covers 338.5 sq mi of land at 742 people per square mile.
About Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake is a city in Virginia with a population of 251,153. It ranks #2 among cities in Virginia by population. The median age is 37.7, younger than the national median. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
The median household income in Chesapeake is $94,189, above the US median of $74,580. 6.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $359,100, with monthly rent averaging $1,523. The homeownership rate of 73.8% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Chesapeake reflects 36.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 11.5% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.5 minutes each way.
Chesapeake city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Chesapeake city had a population of 223,556 in 2010 and 254,997 in 2024, a 14.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 254,997 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.95%.
254,997
Population (2024)
223,556
Population (2010)
254,997
Peak (2024)
0.95%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 223,556 |
| 2011 | 225,361 |
| 2012 | 228,091 |
| 2013 | 230,327 |
| 2014 | 233,360 |
| 2015 | 235,111 |
| 2016 | 237,464 |
| 2017 | 240,143 |
| 2018 | 242,359 |
| 2019 | 244,835 |
| 2020 | 249,726 |
| 2021 | 251,732 |
| 2022 | 252,493 |
| 2023 | 253,967 |
| 2024 | 254,997 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 56.2% |
| Black or African American | 29.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$94,189
Median Household Income
$43,819
Per Capita Income
6.3%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$359,100
Median Home Value
$1,523
Median Rent
73.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.4%
High School+
36.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
77.4%
Public Transit
11.5%
Work From Home
25.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
39.8%
Foreign Born
91.7%
Non-English at Home
14.5%
Veterans
12.5%
With Disability
93.4%
Health Insurance
96.4%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 24.3% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 13.9% |
| Public Administration | 9.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 8.3% |
| Construction | 7.1% |
| Manufacturing | 6.9% |
| Information | 6.0% |
| Retail Trade | 5.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Common questions about Chesapeake, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
Chesapeake, Virginia has a population of 251,153 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 90th-largest city in the United States and the 2nd-largest in Virginia.
The median household income in Chesapeake, Virginia is $94,189, with 6.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chesapeake, Virginia is $359,100, with median monthly rent at $1,523 and a homeownership rate of 73.8%.
The median age in Chesapeake, Virginia is 37.7 years. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
The population has grown 14.1% since 2010 (223,556 → 254,997).
More from Virginia
Population 457,066
Population 235,463
Population 235,037
Population 227,595
Population 184,774
Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.