RANK #186 / 996 · POP 249,377 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.1%
Chesapeake, Virginia, distinguishes itself with the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest continuously operating man-made canal in the United States, which forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. This waterway, along with the expansive Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, offers significant outdoor recreation opportunities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Located in coastal Virginia, Chesapeake blends urban and rural landscapes. It is a short drive from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with commute options including regional bus services, though a car is often necessary due to the city's spread-out nature. The community maintains a suburban feel with access to natural scenery. Deep Creek Lock Park also provides trails and canoe access to the Dismal Swamp Canal.
Life in Chesapeake is often characterized by its family-friendly environment and access to quality education through Chesapeake Public Schools. The city has a diverse economy, attracting various businesses and offering a range of housing options. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into sectors like manufacturing and agribusiness, with companies expanding their operations. The city actively promotes economic development through investment programs and leveraging its Foreign Trade Zone status. However, the region faces challenges with housing affordability, as rents have increased, impacting critical workers.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Commercial Project (Chesapeake infrastructure)
Dominion Energy Virginia
|
$10,700M | Under Construction |
|
LS GreenLink Subsea Power Cable Manufacturing Facility
LS GreenLink USA, Inc. (subsidiary of LS Cable & System of South Korea)
|
$681M | Under Construction |
|
NextEra Chesapeake Solar PV Park
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$135M | Operating |
|
Chesapeake Solar Project
Chesapeake Solar Project, LLC
|
$132M | Operating |
|
Yadkins Energy Center (Battery Storage System)
Yadkins Energy Center, LLC
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Virginia Natural Gas Compressor Station
Virginia Natural Gas
|
$90M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chesapeake city has a Boom Town Index score of 81/100, ranking #186 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.1% and a median household income of $92,703, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Chesapeake city is $339,500 with median rent at $1,446/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2731, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.1%. Home values changed +2.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.36% of Chesapeake city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.