Chesapeake is an independent city located in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 199,184.

The city was created in 1963, when the former independent city of South Norfolk was consolidated with Norfolk County and reincorporated as the new City of Chesapeake.

Chesapeake made national headlines in 2003 when it hosted the first trial of convicted murderer Beltway sniper Lee Boyd Malvo.

Geography

Chesapeake is located at 36°46'2" North, 76°17'14" West (36.767398, -76.287405).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 908.8 km² (350.9 mi²). 882.5 km² (340.7 mi²) of it is land and 26.4 km² (10.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.90% water.

The northeastern part of the Great Dismal Swamp is located in Chesapeake.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density is 225.7/km² (584.6/mi²). There are 72,672 housing units at an average density of 82.4/km² (213.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 66.87% White, 28.53% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 69,900 households out of which 41.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% are married couples living together, 14.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% are non-families. 18.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.17.

The age distribution is: 28.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $50,743, and the median income for a family is $56,302. Males have a median income of $39,204 versus $26,391 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,949. 7.3% of the population and 6.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Along with the rest of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area (including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg and Poquoson, Virginia), Chesapeake is served by Norfolk International Airport.

Communities

• Bowers Hill
• Buell
• Deep Creek
• Fentress
• Great Bridge
• Hodges Ferry
• South Norfolk (formerly incorporated town and city)
• Wallaceton
• Western Branch

See Also

• Norfolk County, Virginia

External links

City of Chesapeake