Norfolk had an estimated 231,013 residents on July 1, 2025, down 2.9% from the 2020 census count of 238,005. Median age: 32.7. Median household income: $66,109.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is linked to the table it came from. Questions about Census data: the Census Bureau’s customer line, 1-800-923-8282. This page is updated when the bureau publishes new figures.
Norfolk had an estimated 231,013 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city population estimates. Norfolk is an independent city, so the city and the county-level area are the same place. It is the third-largest city in Hampton Roads by population, after Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
What this means for you
- Norfolk is a young city: the median age is 32.7, more than six years below the state’s.
- Most homes are rented; 46.3% are owner-occupied, against 67.3% statewide.
- See Census QuickFacts for Norfolk for a one-page summary.
Growth since 2010
| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| April 2010 | 242,803 | 2010 census |
| April 2020 | 238,005 | 2020 census |
| July 2024 | 231,105 | Vintage 2025 estimates |
| July 2025 | 231,013 | Vintage 2025 estimates |
Norfolk lost 4,798 people, or 2%, between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. The bureau’s estimates have kept edging down since: the July 2025 figure is 6,992 people, or 2.9%, below the 2020 count. From 2024 to 2025 the estimate barely moved, falling by 92 people. Compared with 2010, the city is 4.9% smaller.
Estimates for 2011 to 2019 come from the bureau’s Vintage 2020 series.
Age, households and income
From the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates:
| Measure | Norfolk | Virginia | Virginia Beach metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.7 | 39.0 | 37.4 |
| Under 18 | 20.3% | 21.7% | 22.0% |
| 65 and older | 13.0% | 16.7% | 16.2% |
| Households | 94,965 | 3,365,732 | 707,408 |
| Average household size | 2.25 | 2.52 | 2.45 |
| Median household income | $66,109 | $93,170 | $82,330 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+) | 33.5% | 42.2% | 35.8% |
Sources: age and population (DP05), households and education (DP02), income (DP03). The metro is the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC Metro Area.
Housing
| Measure | Norfolk | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Housing units | 103,524 | 3,684,756 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 46.3% | 67.3% |
| Median value of owner-occupied homes | $289,900 | $383,700 |
| Median gross rent | $1,321 a month | $1,579 a month |
Source: housing (DP04). These are survey averages over five years. For this month’s market, see Norfolk home prices.
How Norfolk compares with its neighbors
| City | July 2025 estimate | Change since 2020 base | Median household income (2020-2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | 231,013 | -3.0% | $66,109 |
| Hampton | 137,315 | +0.1% | $69,621 |
| Portsmouth | 96,777 | -1.2% | $60,491 |
| Poquoson | 13,292 | +6.7% | $120,972 |
Change is measured from the bureau’s April 2020 estimates base, so it differs slightly from the census-count comparison above. Portsmouth is about 8 miles from Norfolk, Hampton about 9 miles across the harbor and Poquoson about 15 miles. Poquoson, the smallest, grew fastest; Norfolk lost the largest share.
Notes on the numbers
The census is a count; the yearly figures are estimates built from births, deaths and migration, and the bureau revises them each year. American Community Survey figures are five-year averages with margins of error, shown on each linked table.
Related: home prices, schools and moving to Norfolk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Norfolk, Virginia?
The Census Bureau estimated 231,013 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 238,005.
Is Norfolk growing or shrinking?
Shrinking slowly. The estimate fell 2.9% from the 2020 census count to July 2025, and the 2020 count was 2% below the 2010 count of 242,803.
What is the median age in Norfolk?
32.7, according to the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, younger than Virginia’s 39.0.
What is the median household income in Norfolk?
$66,109 in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with $93,170 for Virginia and $82,330 for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area.
Is Norfolk bigger than Hampton and Portsmouth?
Yes. In July 2025 the Census Bureau estimated 231,013 people in Norfolk, 137,315 in Hampton and 96,777 in Portsmouth.
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