Norfolk

by The Linguist

 

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. With a population of 242,742 as of the 2020 census, it is Virginia’s second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.

Norfolk is located at the core of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, named for the large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It is one of nine cities and seven counties that constitute the Hampton Roads metro area, officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA. The city is bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay.

It also shares land borders with the independent cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. Norfolk is one of the oldest cities in Hampton Roads, and is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region.

The city has a long history dating back to colonial times. It played an important role in the American Revolution and early development of the country. Today, Norfolk has a diverse economy including one of the world’s largest naval stations, major military bases, and a thriving tourism industry.

History of Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk was first settled in 1680 by English colonists. It was one of the first colonies chartered in the “New World” by the English Crown. The site was selected because of its prime location on the Elizabeth River near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

Norfolk soon became an important colonial port city and was designated as one of the original boroughs of Virginia by the Royal Charter of 1691. It was named for the English Duke of Norfolk.

During the American Revolution, Norfolk served as a base for the British Royal Navy. As a result, it suffered significant bombardment by the Continental Army. After the war, Norfolk recovered and continued to prosper as a port city.

In the 19th century, Norfolk served as an important naval base and commercial trading port. It was the site of the Gosport Shipyard, an early U.S. Navy facility. The first drydock in the United States was built here in the 1820s.

During the American Civil War, because of its strategic location, Norfolk was invaded and occupied by Union forces for most of the war. It suffered extensive damage during this time. After the war, the city rebuilt and continued to grow as a major commercial and industrial hub.

In the 20th century, Norfolk expanded significantly in size and population. It merged with the City of South Norfolk and became an independent city in 1962. It continued to develop a strong economy around maritime industries, tourism, and other services. Norfolk forms an important part of Hampton Roads regional economy today.

For more history, visit the Norfolk Wikipedia page.

Norfolk Population and Demographics

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Norfolk had a population of 242,742 making it the second most populous city in Virginia behind neighboring Virginia Beach.

The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 42.3% White, 43.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 5.7% from two or more races. 11.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 103,169 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 35.7% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals.

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 18.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 104.1 males.

For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.8 males.

Norfolk Economy

Norfolk has a diverse economy based around military, maritime, and other industries. Major employment sectors include:

  • Military: Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, employing over 70,000 people. It also houses major naval shipyards and other important military facilities that provide tens of thousands of jobs.
  • Ports and shipping: As home to one of the biggest ports on the East Coast, Norfolk has many jobs in cargo handling, logistics, warehousing, trucking, and other port-related industries.
  • Healthcare: Norfolk has several major hospitals and medical centers including Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
  • Tourism: Norfolk’s coastal location, naval facilities, and other attractions bring in many tourists supporting jobs in hospitality, entertainment, food service, and recreation.
  • Professional services: Numerous legal, engineering, financial, higher education, and other professional firms are located in Norfolk.

For more on Norfolk’s economy visit: Norfolk Economic Development

Norfolk Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Norfolk include:

  • Norfolk Botanical Garden – One of the largest botanical gardens in the country featuring over 60 themed gardens on 155 acres.
    6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518
    Phone: (757) 441-5830
    https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
  • Chrysler Museum of Art – An art museum with a collection of over 30,000 objects focused on European and American art.
    One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
    Phone: (757) 664-6200
    https://chrysler.org
  • Naval Station Norfolk – The largest naval base in the world and home port for many U.S. Navy vessels.
    9559 Maryland Ave, Norfolk, VA 23511
    Phone: (757) 444-7955
    https://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/ns_norfolk.html
  • Nauticus – Maritime-themed science center and museum with exhibits on marine science, naval history, and more.
    1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510
    Phone: (757) 664-1000
    https://nauticus.org

Norfolk Museums

As a historic and cultural hub, Norfolk is home to many excellent museums covering history, art, science, and other subjects. Some of the top museums in the city include:

Norfolk Public Transportation

Public transportation in Norfolk is provided by Hampton Roads Transit, known as HRT. Their services include:

  • Light rail – The Tide light rail system connecting downtown Norfolk with Virginia Beach.
  • Buses – A network of bus routes serving Norfolk and other Hampton Roads cities.
  • Ferries – Ferry service between downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth across the Elizabeth River.

Fares and route information can be found on the Hampton Roads Transit website.

Norfolk Major Employers

Below are some of Norfolk’s major employers and their contact information:

  • Naval Station Norfolk
    9559 Maryland Ave, Norfolk, VA 23511
    Phone: (757) 444-7955
  • Sentara Healthcare
    620 John Paul Jones Cir, Portsmouth, VA 23708
    Phone: (757) 388-3000
  • Old Dominion University
    5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529
    Phone: (757) 683-3000
  • Eastern Virginia Medical School
    700 W Olney Rd, Norfolk, VA 23507
    Phone: (757) 446-5600
  • Norfolk Public Schools
    800 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
    Phone: (757) 628-3800
  • Virginia Port Authority
    600 World Trade Center, Norfolk, VA 23510
    Phone: (757) 683-8000

Norfolk County and Regional Information

Norfolk is an independent city that is not part of any county. However, it is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area along with several other independent cities and counties.

Nearby counties include:

Norfolk School Districts

Public schools in Norfolk are operated by Norfolk Public Schools. The district runs 36 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools. Their main office is located at:

Norfolk Public Schools
800 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 628-3800

Website: https://www.npsk12.com

There are also several private and charter schools located within the city of Norfolk.

Additional Norfolk Resources

Here are some additional local resources for Norfolk residents and visitors:

Map of Norfolk, Virginia

View an interactive map of Norfolk on Google Maps.

Norfolk GPS Coordinates and Street Addresses

Here are the street addresses and GPS coordinates for 3 landmarks in Norfolk:

  • Norfolk City Hall
    810 Union St, Norfolk, VA 23510
    36°50’27.2″N 76°17’04.8″W
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden
    6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518
    36°53’24.7″N 76°16’16.0″W
  • Chrysler Museum of Art
    One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
    36°50’47.4″N 76°17’27.8″W