Norfolk, VA, known as 'The Mermaid City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in southeastern Virginia, Norfolk is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake enhance its status as a central point in the region. Norfolk's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Norfolk is home to several iconic landmarks, including the USS Wisconsin, the historic Chrysler Museum of Art, and the scenic Norfolk Botanical Garden. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Town Point Park to the bustling MacArthur Center, known for its shopping and dining. Norfolk's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from seafood cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Norfolk NATO Festival and the Virginia International Tattoo highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Norfolk's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Old Dominion University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Norfolk is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Harrison Opera House and the Virginia Arts Festival are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Norfolk provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Norfolk’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Norfolk Tides (MiLB) and the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Norfolk include healthcare, education, and maritime, with significant employers such as Sentara Healthcare and Norfolk Naval Shipyard driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient and efficient.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Norfolk, Virginia is a big city with a population of 244,300 residents. In Norfolk, there are 4,586 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Norfolk is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (46%) and Black or African American (41%). The median age of all Norfolk residents is 31, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Norfolk is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 41%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Norfolk will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Living in Norfolk can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Virginia, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Norfolk, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, health & safety and more.
With a livability score of 81 out of 100, Norfolk is ranked #984 in the United States and #43 in Virginia. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Norfolk could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Norfolk ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Norfolk ranks very well for cost of living (B+), education (A-) and housing (B). There is at least one category that did not score well in Norfolk. The following was graded with a discouraging score: crime (F).
Norfolk has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Norfolk has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Norfolk are: Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and Chrysler Museum of Art.
Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Norfolk schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 68%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Norfolk an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Norfolk can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Norfolk. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Norfolk are affordable. Median real estate prices in Norfolk come in at $215,800, which is 13.1% lower than the Virginia average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Norfolk, the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 7.9% higher than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Norfolk | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.8% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.1% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.3% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 9.9% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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