Norfolk, VA – 2023
Population 230,930
Median Household Income $62,382
Adults with a College Degree* 64,591
Median Age 33
Median Housing Value $298,600
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates *Includes adults aged 18-24 with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and those 25 and older with an Associate’s degree or higher.

Companies located in areas with an affordable cost of living are better able to attract and retain skilled employees. Greater Norfolk’s cost of living is lower than the national average, allowing companies to offer competitive wages to employees while maintaining reasonable labor expenses. In turn, this increases the value of employee earnings and company profits moreover other cities across the country. Living in the Hampton Roads region is cheaper than the national average in terms of groceries, housing, transportation, and miscellaneous goods and services.

The Cost of Living Index is interpreted as follows. The national average is set as the base of comparison and is thus 100. Any value above 100 indicates the Cost of Living in the selected area is higher, meaning it is more expensive to live there compared to the national average. Any value below 100 indicates the Cost of Living in the selected area is lower, meaning it is cheaper to live there compared to the national average. In the table for the Norfolk, VA MSA Cost of Living, the Composite Index is 94.0 meaning it is cheaper to live in the Norfolk, VA MSA compared to the national average, or, it is 6.0% less expensive to live in the Norfolk, VA MSA compared to the national average.

Norfolk, VA MSA Cost of Living Index 2024 Annual Average

CategoryIndex (National Average = 100.0)
Composite Index94.0
Groceries98.4
Housing82.3
Transportation95.8
Misc. Goods & Services96.5

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), Cost of Living Index, 2024 Annual Average, Section 1 Index, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) – Urban Area Noted

The overall Cost of Living in the Norfolk, VA MSA is lower than the Cost of Living in many of its direct competitors, as noted in the accompanying table, making it a very attractive location for businesses.

Cost of Living Index – 2024 Annual Average

MSA – Urban Area Noted100% Composite Index
Norfolk, VA94.0
Atlanta, GA96.0
Raleigh, NC97.2
National Average100.0
Hartford, CT101.4
Charleston, SC101.9
Philadelphia, PA103.3
Newark, NJ114.1
Chicago, IL115.1
Miami, FL120.8
Washington, D.C.141.9
Boston, MA145.9
New York County, NY (Manhattan)230.6

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), Cost of Living Index, 2024 Annual Average, Section 1 Index, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) – Urban Area Noted

Norfolk’s median age of 33 is young. Early career workers 18-24 are 15% of the population, much higher than the national average of 9%. With a slightly higher than average (41%) prime-working-age adults aged 25-54, Norfolk has a robust workforce at all experience levels.

Norfolk Residents by Age Group – 2023
Age RangeNumber of ResidentsPercent of Residents
< 1846,54920.2%
18 – 2433,99014.7%
25 – 3442,94318.6%
35 – 4430,92113.4%
45 – 5420,7819.0%
55 – 6424,01310.4%
65+31,73313.7%
Total 230,930100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S0101 – Age and Sex

Norfolk is a very diverse locality representing individuals of many races and ethnicities. This diversity of race, ethnicity, and culture contributes to diversity in businesses.

Norfolk Residents by Race – 2023
 RaceNumber of ResidentsPercent of Residents
White 99,34443.0%
Black or African American 85,06136.8%
Two or more races 25,85511.2%
All Other*12,6415.5%
Asian 8,0293.5%
Total 230,930100.0%
*All Other includes Some Other Race, American Indian & Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table DP05 – ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates

Norfolk Residents by Ethnicity – 2023
EthnicityNumber of ResidentsPercent of Residents
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)23,82210.3%
Not Hispanic or Latino207,10889.7%
Total230,930100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table DP05 – ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates

Norfolk Residents Ages 25 and Over by Educational Attainment – 2023
Educational AttainmentNumber of Residents 25 and OverPercent of Residents 25 and Over
Less than High School16,21210.8%
High School Diploma (includes equivalency)39,16226.0%
Some College, No Degree33,69622.4%
Associate’s Degree11,5137.7%
Bachelor’s Degree29,28819.5%
Graduate or Professional Degree20,52013.6%
Total 150,391100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501 – Educational Attainment

Norfolk Households by Household Income – 2023
(in 2023 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)
Household Income RangePercent of Households
Under $25,00019.7%
$25,000-$49,99921.3%
$50,000-$74,99917.1%
$75,000-$99,99912.8%
$100,000+29.1%
Total Households94,056
 
Household IncomeValue
Median Household Income (dollars) $62,382
Mean Household Income (dollars) $91,373
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1901 – Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2023 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)

Norfolk has a variety of affordable housing options with a median housing value in Norfolk, VA, that is lower than that of the MSA, Virginia, and the United States.

Median Housing Value – 2023
GeographyValue
Norfolk $298,600
MSA $343,700
Virginia $382,900
United States $340,200
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table DP04: Selected Housing Characteristics

Norfolk Housing Units by Occupancy – 2023
CategoryNumber of Housing UnitsPercent of Housing Units
Occupied Housing Units94,05690.0%
Vacant Housing Units10,41110.0%
Total Housing Units104,467100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table DP04: Selected Housing Characteristics

Norfolk Housing Units by Occupant Type – 2023
CategoryNumber of Housing UnitsPercent of Housing Units
Owner-occupied41,95044.6%
Renter-occupied52,10655.4%
Total Occupied Housing Units94,056100.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table DP04: Selected Housing Characteristics