View source for Norfolk, Virginia

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{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Norfolk
| settlement_type    = [[Independent city (United States)|Independent city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
| total_width              = 280
| caption_align            = center
| image1                   = Downtown Norfolk during the day 2.jpg
| caption1                 = Skyline of [[Downtown Norfolk]]
| image2                   = The Wisconsin Battleship in Norfolk, VA.jpg
| caption2                 = [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']]
| image3                   = Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Norfolk, Virginia), exterior, rear quarter view.jpg
| caption3                 = [[Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Norfolk, Virginia)|Basilica of Saint Mary]]
| image4                   = Chryslermuseum.jpg
| caption4                 = [[Chrysler Museum of Art]]
| image5                   = Rollins Hall.JPG
| caption5                 = [[Old Dominion University]]
| image6                   = 9 Flattops at Norfolk naval base, December 20, 2012.jpg
| caption6                 = [[Naval Station Norfolk]]
| image7                   = Macarthur statue by City Hall.jpg
| caption7                 = [[MacArthur Memorial]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Norfolk, Virginia.gif
| image_seal         = Seal of Norfolk, Virginia.png
| motto = {{force singular}} Et terra et mare divitiae tuae, Crescas ([[Latin]] for, "By riches on land and on sea, thou shalt grow.")
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| map_caption        = Interactive map of Norfolk
| pushpin_map        = Virginia#USA#North America
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Virginia##Location within the United States##Location within North America
| pushpin_label      = Norfolk
| pushpin_label_position = left
| coordinates        = {{coord|36|50|49|N|76|17|07|W|region:US-VA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Virginia}}
| established_title  = [[Municipal corporation|Founded]]
| established_date   = 1680 (as town)
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = 1736 (as borough)
| established_title3 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date3  = 1845 (as city)
| subdivision_type2  = [[County (United States)|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = None ([[Independent city (United States)|independent city]])
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of Norfolk, Virginia|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Kenny Alexander]] ([[United States Democratic Party|D]])
| area_total_sq_mi   = 96.40
| area_land_sq_mi    = 53.27
| area_water_sq_mi   = 43.13
| area_total_km2     = 249.68
| area_land_km2      = 137.98
| area_water_km2     = 111.70
| elevation_m        = 2.1
| elevation_ft       = 7
| population_total   = 238,005
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_rank    = [[List of United States cities by population|100th]] in the United States<br />[[List of cities in Virginia|4th]] in Virginia
| population_density_sq_mi = 4468
| population_density_km2 = 1725
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_urban   = 1,047,869
| population_metro   = 1,725,246 ([[List of metropolitan statistical areas|37th]])
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 23501–23515, 23517–23521, 23523, 23529, 23541, 23551
| area_codes          = [[Area codes 757 and 948|757, 948]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.norfolk.gov/}}
| footnotes          = 
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| blank1_name        = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank1_info        = 51-57000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank2_info        = 1497051<ref name="GR3">{{cite web |url=http://geonames.usgs.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=US Board on Geographic Names |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web |title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| blank3_name        = Primary Airport
| blank3_info        = [[Norfolk International Airport]]
| blank4_name        = [[Light Rail]]
| blank4_info        = [[The Tide (light rail)|The Tide]]
| blank5_name        = [[Public Transit|Public transportation]]
| blank5_info        = [[Hampton Roads Transit]]
}}

'''Norfolk''' ({{IPAc-en|local|audio=Pronounce Norfolk Virginia.ogg|ˈ|n|ɔːr|f|ə|k}} {{respell|NOR|fək}}) is an [[independent city (United States)|independent city]] in the U.S. commonwealth of [[Virginia]]. It had a population of 238,005 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], making it the [[List of cities in Virginia|third-most populous city]] in Virginia and [[List of United States cities by population|100th-most populous city]] in the United States.<ref name="QF2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/norfolkcityvirginia/POP010220 |title=QuickFacts: Norfolk city, Virginia |website=census.gov |access-date=2021-10-06}}</ref> The city holds a strategic position as the historical, urban, financial, and cultural center of the [[Hampton Roads]] metropolitan area (sometimes called "[[Tidewater (region)|Tidewater]]"), which has more than 1.8 million inhabitants and is the [[Metropolitan statistical area|37th-largest metropolitan area]] in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |title=Where is "Tidewater" in Virginia? Hampton Roads? |url=http://www.virginiaplaces.org/chesbay/11chesa.html |website=Virginia Places}}</ref>

Norfolk was established in 1682 as a colonial seaport. Strategically located at the confluence of the [[Elizabeth River (Virginia)|Elizabeth River]] and [[Chesapeake Bay]], it quickly developed into a major center for trade and shipbuilding. During the [[American Revolution]] and [[War of 1812]], its port and naval facilities made it a critical military target. Norfolk's prominence grew in the 20th century with the expansion of the [[U.S. Navy]], particularly through the establishment of [[Naval Station Norfolk]] in 1917, which remains the world's largest naval base.

Norfolk is an important contributor to the [[Port of Virginia]] and houses one of [[NATO]]'s two [[Allied Command Transformation|Strategic Command headquarters]]. It is home to [[A. P. Moller-Maersk Group#Maersk Line, Limited|Maersk Line, Limited]], which manages the world's largest fleet of [[Flag State|US-flag vessels]]. The city has numerous cultural institutions including the [[Nauticus]] maritime museum, [[Chrysler Museum of Art]], and [[Virginia Zoo]]. Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bayfront areas, including beaches on the Chesapeake Bay.

==History==
{{Main|History of Norfolk, Virginia|Timeline of Norfolk, Virginia}}
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2024}}

===Before 1607===
In the late sixteenth century, the area that is now Norfolk was inhabited by the Chesepian people, who referred to the land as "K'che-sepi-ack." According to historical accounts from William Strachy, the Chesepian settlements were destroyed by the Powhatan shortly before the establishment of Jamestown in 1607.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

===Colonial era===
Norfolk's lands were some of the first to draw settlers from the [[Virginia Colony]], although Norfolk would not be incorporated as a town until the 1700s. When the establishment of the [[House of Burgesses]] introduced representative government to the colony in 1619, governor [[George Yeardley|Sir George Yeardley]] divided the developed portion of the colony into four incorporated jurisdictions, termed ''citties.'' The land on which Norfolk now sits fell under [[Elizabeth City (Virginia Company)|Elizabeth Cittie]] incorporation.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1634 [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] reorganized the colony into a system of [[shires of Virginia|shires]], and [[Elizabeth City (Virginia Company)|Elizabeth Cittie]] became [[Elizabeth City Shire]]. Elizabeth City Shire (now the city of Hampton) included all land that today comprises the cities of Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk.  After persuading 105 people to settle in the colony, [[Adam Thoroughgood]] (who had immigrated to Virginia in 1622 from [[King's Lynn]], [[Norfolk]], [[England]]) was granted a large land holding, through the head rights system, along the [[Lynnhaven River]] in 1636.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

When the [[South Hampton Roads]] portion of the shire was separated, Thoroughgood suggested the name of his birthplace for the newly formed [[New Norfolk County, Virginia|New Norfolk County]]. One year later, it was divided into two counties, [[Upper Norfolk County|Upper Norfolk]] and [[Lower Norfolk County, Virginia|Lower Norfolk]] (the latter now incorporated into the City of Norfolk), chiefly on Thoroughgood's recommendation.<ref name="Norfolk History Chapter 4">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/04.html |title=The Origins of Norfolk's Name |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Historical Society |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910230143/http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/04.html |archive-date=September 10, 2007}}</ref> This area of Virginia became known as the place of entrepreneurs, including men of the [[London Company|Virginia Company of London]].<ref>{{Citation |title=The Virginia Company of London and England's Second Colonial Venture |work=Empire, Religion and Revolution in Early Virginia, 1607-1786 |date=2013 |url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137327925.0008 |access-date=2025-03-06 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |doi=10.1057/9781137327925.0008 |isbn=978-1-137-32792-5|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Virginia Company of London |url=https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/virginia-company-of-london/}}</ref>

Norfolk developed in the late-seventeenth century as a "Half Moone" fort was constructed and {{cvt|50|acre|m2}} were acquired from local natives of the [[Powhatan Confederacy]] in exchange for 10,000 pounds of tobacco. The House of Burgesses established the "Towne of Lower Norfolk County" in 1680.<ref name="Norfolk History Chapter 6">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/06.html |title=The "Half Moone" Fort |access-date=February 19, 2008 |publisher=Norfolk Historical Society |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509183336/http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/06.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Norfolk History Chapter 7">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/07.html |title=The Birth of "Norfolk Towne" |access-date=February 19, 2008 |publisher=Norfolk Historical Society |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208131526/http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/07.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1691, a final county subdivision took place when Lower Norfolk County split to form [[Norfolk County, Virginia|Norfolk County]] (included in present-day cities of Norfolk, [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]], and parts of [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]]) and [[Princess Anne County]] (present-day [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]]).{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk was incorporated in 1705. In 1730, a tobacco inspection site was located here. According to the [[Tobacco Inspection Act]], the inspection was ''"At Norfolk Town, upon the fort land, in the County of Norfolk; and [[Kempsville, Virginia|Kemp's Landing]], in Princess Anne, under one inspection."'' In 1736 [[George II of Great Britain|George II]] granted it a royal charter as a borough.<ref name="Norfolk History Chapter 9">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/09.html |title=Norfolk Becomes a Borough |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Historical Society |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313153644/http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/09.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was an important port for exporting goods to the British Isles and beyond.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[File:Cannonball lodged in church wall.jpg|thumb|upright|left|A cannonball lodged in the wall of [[Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (Norfolk, Virginia)|St. Paul's Episcopal Church]], fired by [[John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore|Lord Dunmore]]'s fleet during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]]]

After the [[American Revolution]] forced the [[List of colonial governors of Virginia|Royal Governor of Virginia]], [[John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore]], to flee from Williamsburg, he made Norfolk the new capital of Virginia in 1775. Norfolk's 6,250 residents were primarily Loyalist because the British government had granted trade monopolies to many of their businesses. After losing at the [[Battle of Great Bridge]] that December, Lord Dunmore partially destroyed the city with naval cannonading. On January 16, 1776, the Patriots' [[Fourth Virginia Convention]] agreed to destroy most remaining homes to prevent Dunmore from using the city to amass British troops and runaway slaves.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kranish |first=Michael |date=2 November 2025 |title=Norfolk Must be Destroyed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/thomas-jefferson-battle-norfolk-burning |access-date=3 November 2025 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>

Ultimately, [[William Woodford|Colonel Woodford]] drove Dunmore into exile, ending more than 168 years of British rule in Virginia.<ref name="History from Colonial Williamsburg">{{cite web |url=http://www.history.org/Almanack/resources/dateline/polcron.cfm#seeds |title=Cultural & Political Chronology (1750–1783) |access-date=September 30, 2007 |publisher=Colonial Williamsburg}}</ref><ref>Guy, Louis L. jr.[http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/insights/2001_spring/nightmare.html "Norfolk's Worst Nightmare"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629224630/http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/insights/2001_spring/nightmare.html|date=June 29, 2018 }}, Norfolk Historical Society ''Courier'' (Spring 2001), accessed January 3, 2008</ref> Only the walls of [[Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (Norfolk, Virginia)|Saint Paul's Episcopal Church]] survived the bombardment and subsequent fires. A cannonball from the bombardment (fired by the ''[[HMS Liverpool (1758)|Liverpool]]'') remains within the wall of Saint Paul's.<ref name="HMS Otter">{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiastatenavy.com/HMS_OTTER.html |title=HMS Otter |access-date=September 30, 2007 |publisher=Virginia State Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513154403/http://www.virginiastatenavy.com/HMS_OTTER.html |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Nineteenth century===
[[File:Norfolk, from Gosport, Virginia (NYPL b12349153-423885).jpg|thumb|''Norfolk, from Gosport, Virginia'', New York Public Library]]

When the British occupied Norfolk, [[Thomas Jefferson]] ordered its destruction by fire.<ref name="w009">{{cite web | last=Kranish | first=Michael | title=Thomas Jefferson said Norfolk must be destroyed — and records reveal the Patriots burned much of it themselves | website=The Washington Post | date=2025-11-02 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2025/thomas-jefferson-battle-norfolk-burning/ | access-date=2025-11-05}}</ref> Following recovery from the Revolutionary War's burning, Norfolk and its citizens struggled to rebuild. In 1804, another serious fire along the city's waterfront destroyed some 300 buildings and the city suffered a serious economic setback. In the [[War of 1812]] between America and Great Britain, Norfolk saw action between American militia led by Richard Lawson and the British navy. On July 13, 1813. A British landing party of 8 marines and 16 sailors landed at the beaches of Norfolk to construct a well and gather water. Richard Lawson concealed his company of militia behind a benign looking sandhill. Richard Lawson and his militia sprang their ambush by opening fire from their concealment behind the Sandhills. The British landing party who suffered three marines killed surrendered. Richard Lawson, who suffered none killed, had his militia destroy the British boat, take all provisions, and take the brass cannon. The American militia under Lawson returned to town with their prisoners.<ref name="Durant">{{cite book |last=Hannings |first=Bud |date=2012 |title=The War of 1812: A Complete Chronology with Biographies of 63 General Officers |location=Jefferson, NC  |publisher=McFarland|edition=Illustrated|pages=138 |isbn=978-0786463855 }}</ref> During the 1820s, agrarian communities across the [[Southern United States|American South]] suffered a prolonged recession, which caused many families to migrate to other areas. Many moved west into the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]], or further into [[Kentucky]] and [[Tennessee]]. This migration also followed the exhaustion of soil due to [[tobacco]] cultivation in the Tidewater, where it had been the primary commodity crop for generations.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Virginia made some attempts to phase out [[slavery]] and [[manumission]]s increased in the two decades following the war. [[Thomas Jefferson Randolph]] gained passage of an 1832 resolution for gradual abolition in the state. However, by that time the increased demand from the settlement of the lower South states had created a large internal market for slavery. The invention of the [[cotton gin]] in the late-eighteenth century had made profitable the cultivation of short-staple cotton in the uplands, which was widely practiced.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[File:Joseph Jenkins Roberts.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Joseph Jenkins Roberts]], born and raised in Norfolk, became the first [[president of Liberia]]]]

The [[American Colonization Society]] proposed to "[[Back-to-Africa movement|repatriate]]" free blacks and freed slaves to Africa by establishing the new colony of Liberia and paying for transportation. But most African Americans wanted to stay in their birthplace of the United States and achieve freedom and rights there. For a period, many emigrants to Liberia from Virginia and [[North Carolina]] embarked from the port of Norfolk. [[Joseph Jenkins Roberts]], a [[free person of color]] native to Norfolk, emigrated via the American Colonization Society and later was elected as the first president of [[Liberia]], establishing a powerful family.<ref name="Roberts">{{cite web |title=Joseph Roberts, Liberia's first President! |url=http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/754/Joseph_Roberts_Liberias_first_President |access-date=February 19, 2008 |publisher=The African-American Registry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123023225/http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/754/Joseph_Roberts_Liberias_first_President <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 23, 2007}}</ref>

In 1845, Norfolk was incorporated as a city.<ref name="Norfolk History 1845-1887">{{Cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1845_87.asp |title=Norfolk from 1845–1887 :Neighborhood Histories : Neighborhood Services – City of Norfolk, VA<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-04-17 |archive-date=2007-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820005755/http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1845_87.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> On June 7, 1855, the 183-foot vessel ''Benjamin Franklin'' put into Hampton Roads for repairs. The ship had just sailed from the [[West Indies]], where there had been an outbreak of [[yellow fever]]. The port health officer ordered the ship quarantined. After eleven days, a second inspection found no issues, so it was allowed to dock. A few days later, the first cases of yellow fever were discovered in Norfolk, and a machinist died from the disease on July 8. By August, several people were dying per day, and a third of the city's population had fled in the hopes of escaping the epidemic. No one understood how the disease was transmitted. With both Norfolk and Portsmouth being infected, New York banned all traffic from those sites. Neighboring cities also banned residents from Norfolk. The epidemic spread through the city via mosquitoes and poor sanitation, affecting every family and causing widespread panic. The number of infected reached 5,000 in September, and by the second week, 1,500 had died in Norfolk and Portsmouth.<ref>{{cite web |others=transcriber and compiler: Donna, Bluemink |title=YELLOW FEVER IN NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, 1855, as reported in the ''DAILY DISPATCH'' of Richmond, Virginia 2005 |access-date=29 September 2019 |url=http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/yellow-fever/yftoc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914125731/http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/yellow-fever/yftoc.html |archive-date=2024-09-14}}
</ref> As the weather cooled, the outbreak began to wane, leaving a final tally of about 3,200 dead.<!--out of what population?--><ref>{{citation |first=Lon |last=Wagner |title=The Fever, a Story in 14 Parts |work=The Virginian-Pilot |date=July 10–23, 2005 |url=http://www.portsmouthva.gov/history/fever/thefever.pdf |access-date=May 18, 2013 |postscript=. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215040256/http://www.portsmouthva.gov/history/fever/thefever.pdf |archive-date=December 15, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It took the city some time to recover.
[[File:Battle of Hampton Roads 3g01752u.jpg|thumb|[[Battle of Hampton Roads]] between the [[USS Monitor|USS ''Monitor'']] and the [[CSS Virginia|CSS ''Virginia'']]]]
On April 4, 1861, Norfolk city delegate to the [[Virginia Secession Convention of 1861|Virginia Secession Convention]], George Blow, voted against secession. Following the [[Battle of Fort Sumter]], another vote occurred on April 17, where Blow voted for secession, the vote passed and Virginia seceded from the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]]. In the spring of 1862, the [[Battle of Hampton Roads]] took place off the northwest shore of the city's [[Sewell's Point|Sewell's Point Peninsula]], marking the first fight between two [[ironclad warship|ironclads]], the [[USS Monitor|USS ''Monitor'']] and the [[CSS Virginia|CSS ''Virginia'']]. The battle ended in a stalemate but changed the course of naval warfare; from then on, [[warship]]s were fortified with metal.<ref name="Monitor-Merrimac">{{cite web |url=http://americancivilwar.com/monitor.html |title=Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=Americancivilwar.com}}</ref>

In May 1862, Norfolk Mayor [[William Lamb (Confederate States Army officer)|William Lamb]] surrendered the city to Union [[General (United States)|General]] [[John E. Wool]] and his forces. They held the city under [[martial law]] for the duration of the Civil War. Thousands of slaves from the region escaped to Union lines to gain freedom; they quickly set up schools in Norfolk to start learning how to read and write, years before the end of the war.<ref name="Norfolk History Chapter 46">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/46.html |title=Lincoln Plans the Recapture of Norfolk |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Historical Society |archive-date=October 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022033431/http://norfolkhistorical.org/highlights/46.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===20th century to present===
[[File:Va. - Norfolk - Granby Street from corner of City Hall Avenue; busy street scene with autos and electric trolleys LCCN2006688632.jpg|thumb|Granby Street from corner of City Hall Avenue, 1915]]
1907 brought both the [[Virginian Railway]] and the [[Jamestown Exposition]] to [[Sewell's Point]]. The large [[Naval Review]] at the Exposition demonstrated the peninsula's favorable location and laid the groundwork for the world's largest naval base. Southern Democrats in Congress gained its location here. Commemorating the tricentennial anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the exposition featured many prominent officials, including President [[Theodore Roosevelt]], [[Member of Congress|members of Congress]], and [[Diplomacy|diplomats]] from twenty-one countries. By 1917, as the US prepared to enter [[World War I]], the Naval Air Station Hampton Roads had been constructed on the former exposition grounds. This facility was established as an air training station and a patrol base to conduct experimental work in seaplane operations at the Naval Operation Base.<ref>“WWI: Aviation: Hampton Roads, Virginia.” National Museum of U.S Navy . Accessed November 12, 2025. https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwi/wwi-aviation/u-s--naval-air-stations/naval-stations-us/virginia-hampton-roads.html. </ref><ref name="Jamestown Exposition">{{cite web |url=http://www.twainquotes.com/TwainRogersVA.html |title=Mark Twain and Henry Huttleston Rogers in Virginia |access-date=October 2, 2007 |website=twainquotes.com}}</ref>

In the first half of the twentieth century, the city of Norfolk expanded its borders through annexation. In 1906, the city annexed the [[incorporated town]] of [[Berkley, Virginia|Berkley]], making the city cross the [[Elizabeth River (Virginia)|Elizabeth River]].<ref name="Norfolk: 1906 Annexation">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1906.asp |title=Norfolk: 1906 Annexation |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127123719/http://norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1906.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> In 1923, the city expanded to include Sewell's Point, [[Willoughby Spit]], the town of Campostella, and the [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]] area. The city included the Navy Base and miles of beach property fronting on [[Hampton Roads]] and the [[Chesapeake Bay]].<ref name="Norfolk: 1923 Annexation">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1923.asp |title=Norfolk: 1923 Annexation |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127131146/http://norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1923.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> After a smaller annexation in 1959, and a 1988 land swap with [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]], the city assumed its current boundaries.<ref name="Norfolk: 1955 Annexation">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1955.asp |title=Norfolk: 1955 Annexation |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127140029/http://norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/histories_1955.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref>

The establishment of the [[Interstate Highway System]] following World War II brought new highways to the region. A series of bridges and tunnels, constructed during fifteen years, linked Norfolk with [[Virginia Peninsula|the Peninsula]], [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]], and [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]]. In 1952, the [[Downtown Tunnel]] opened to connect Norfolk with the city of Portsmouth. The highways also stimulated the development of new housing suburbs, leading to the population spreading out. Additional bridges and tunnels included the [[Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel]] in 1957,<ref name="Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadstothefuture.com/I64_VA_HRBT.html |title=Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Roads to the Future}}</ref> the [[Midtown Tunnel (Virginia)|Midtown Tunnel]] in 1962,<ref name="Midtown Tunnel">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Mid_Tunn_Port_Norf_MLK.html |title=Midtown Tunnel Parallel Tube Project |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Roads to the Future}}</ref> and the [[Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway]] ([[Interstate 264 (Virginia)|Interstate 264]] and [[State Route 44 (Virginia 1980s)|State Route 44]]) in 1967.<ref name="Interstate 264">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadstothefuture.com/I264_VA_Desc.html |title=Interstate 264 in Virginia |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Roads to the Future}}</ref> In 1991, the new [[Downtown Tunnel]]/[[Berkley Bridge (Virginia)|Berkley Bridge]] complex opened a new system of multiple lanes of highway and interchanges connecting Downtown Norfolk and [[Interstate 464]] with the Downtown Tunnel tubes.<ref name="Downtown Tunnel">{{cite web |url=http://www.roadstothefuture.com/HR_Interstates_Freeways.html |title=Hampton Roads Area Interstates and Freeways |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Roads to the Future}}</ref>

In 1954 the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] ruled in ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]]'' that [[Racial segregation|segregated]] public schools were [[unconstitutional]], as the public system was supported by all taxpayers. It ordered [[racial integration|integration]], but Virginia pursued a policy of "[[massive resistance]]". (At this time, most black citizens were still [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disfranchised]] under the state's turn-of-the-century constitution and discriminatory practices related to voter registration and elections.) The [[Virginia General Assembly]] prohibited state funding for integrated public schools.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In 1958, [[United States district court]]s in Virginia ordered schools to open for the first time on a racially integrated basis. In response, [[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[J. Lindsay Almond]] ordered the schools closed. The [[Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals]] declared the [[State law (United States)|state law]] to be in conflict with the [[Constitution of Virginia|state constitution]] and ordered all public schools to be funded, whether integrated or not. About ten days later, Almond capitulated and asked the General Assembly to rescind several "massive resistance" laws.<ref name="Massive Resistance">{{cite web |url=http://www.vahistorical.org/civilrights/massiveresistance.htm |title=Massive Resistance – The Civil Rights Movement in Virginia |access-date=August 9, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Historical Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915113935/http://www.vahistorical.org/civilrights/massiveresistance.htm |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 1959, seventeen black children entered six previously segregated Norfolk public schools.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bly |first1=Antonio T. |title=The Thunder during the Storm-School Desegregation in Norfolk, Virginia, 1957–1959: A Local History |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2668221 |journal=The Journal of Negro Education |access-date=September 4, 2023 |pages=106–114 |doi=10.2307/2668221 |date=1998|volume=67 |issue=2 |jstor=2668221 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> ''[[The Virginian-Pilot|Virginian-Pilot]]'' editor [[Lenoir Chambers]] editorialized against massive resistance and earned the [[Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing]].<ref name="Lenoir Chambers">{{cite web |url=http://www.landmarkcom.com/about/history.php |title=Landmark Communications Company History |access-date=October 11, 2007 |publisher=Landmark Communications |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009234858/http://www.landmarkcom.com/about/history.php |archive-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref>

With new [[suburb]]an developments beckoning, many white middle-class residents [[White flight|moved out of the city]] along new highway routes, and Norfolk's population declined, a pattern repeated in numerous cities during the postwar era independently of segregation issues. In the late-1960s and early-1970s, the advent of newer suburban shopping destinations along with freeways spelled demise for the fortunes of downtown's [[Granby Street]] commercial corridor, located just a few blocks inland from the waterfront. The opening of malls and large shopping centers drew off retail business from Granby Street.<ref name="JANAF History">{{cite web |url=http://www.janafshopping.com/aboutjanaf.php |title=History of JANAF Shopping Center |access-date=August 9, 2007 |publisher=JANAF Shopping Center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930065349/http://www.janafshopping.com/aboutjanaf.php |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref>

[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] (PETA) has been based in Norfolk since 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=107 |title=PETA's History: Compassion in Action |publisher=Peta.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715193941/http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=107 |archive-date=July 15, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://corporateofficeheadquarters.org/peta/ |publisher=Corporate Office Headquarters |title=Peta Corporate Office Headquarters |date=June 29, 2018 |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903201132/https://corporateofficeheadquarters.org/peta/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Norfolk's city leaders began a long push to [[Urban renewal|revive its urban core]]. While Granby Street underwent decline, Norfolk city leaders focused on the waterfront and its collection of decaying piers and warehouses. Many obsolete shipping and warehousing facilities were demolished. In their place, planners created a new boulevard, Waterside Drive, along which many of the high-rise buildings in Norfolk's [[skyline]] have been erected. In 1983, the city and [[The Rouse Company]] developed the [[Waterside (Norfolk, Virginia)|Waterside]] festival marketplace to attract people back to the waterfront and catalyze further downtown redevelopment.<ref name="Waterside">{{cite web |url=http://www.watersidemarketplace.com/ |title=Waterside Marketplace |access-date=February 21, 2008 |publisher=Waterside |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305190902/http://www.watersidemarketplace.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Waterside was redeveloped in 2017. Additionally, the waterfront area hosts the [[Nauticus|Nauticus maritime museum and science center]], [[Hampton Roads Naval Museum]], [[Nauticus#Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center|Half-Moone Cruise and Celebration Center]], and the [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']]. Other facilities opened in the ensuing years, including the [[Harbor Park]] baseball stadium, home of the [[Norfolk Tides]] Triple-A [[minor league baseball]] team. In 1995, the park was named the finest facility in minor league baseball by ''[[Baseball America]]''.<ref name="Harbor Park">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolktides.com/ballpark/ |title=Harbor Park |access-date=October 10, 2007 |publisher=Harbor Park}}</ref> Norfolk's efforts to revitalize its downtown have attracted acclaim from economic development and urban planning circles throughout the country. Downtown's rising fortunes helped to expand the city's revenues and allowed the city to direct attention to other neighborhoods.<ref name="About Norfolk">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/About/ |title=About Norfolk |access-date=February 21, 2008 |publisher=City of Norfolk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205225234/http://www.norfolk.gov/About/ |archive-date=February 5, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Newport news norfolk portsmouth.jpg|thumb|[[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]], [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight County]], [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]], [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]], [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]] and Norfolk, from space, July 1996. Norfolk is located in the upper-right quadrant; east is at the top.]]

The city is located at the southeastern corner of [[Virginia]] at the junction of the Elizabeth River and the [[Chesapeake Bay]]. The Hampton Roads [[United States metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (officially known as the [[Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA]]) is the [[Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|37th largest]] in the United States, with an estimated population of 1,716,624 in 2014.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} The area includes the Virginia cities of Norfolk, [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]], [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]], [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]], [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Poquoson, Virginia|Poquoson]], [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]], [[Suffolk, Virginia|Suffolk]], [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]], and the counties of [[Gloucester County, Virginia|Gloucester]], [[Isle of Wight County, Virginia|Isle of Wight]], [[James City County, Virginia|James City]], [[Mathews County, Virginia|Mathews]], and [[York County, Virginia|York]], as well as the [[North Carolina]] counties of [[Currituck County, North Carolina|Currituck]] and [[Gates County, North Carolina|Gates]]. The city of Norfolk is recognized as the central business district, while the Virginia Beach oceanside resort district and [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]] are primarily centers of tourism. Virginia Beach is the most populated city within the MSA though it functions more as a suburb. Additionally, Norfolk is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC [[Combined Statistical Area]], which includes the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA, the [[Elizabeth City, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area]], and the [[Kill Devil Hills, NC]] Micropolitan Statistical Area. The CSA is the 32nd largest in the nation with an estimated population in 2013 of 1,810,266.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In addition to extensive riverfront property, Norfolk has miles of bayfront resort property and beaches in the [[Willoughby Spit]] and [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]] communities.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

===Sea level rise and subsidence===
[[File:Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, v2, 2010 Washington D.C., U.S. (13873799193).jpg|thumb|left|Population density and elevation above sea level around the [[Chesapeake Bay]]. Norfolk is especially vulnerable to [[sea level rise]].]]
Being low-lying and largely surrounded by water, Norfolk is particularly vulnerable to [[Sea level rise|rising sea levels]] caused by [[climate change]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Arnold |first=Carrie |date=December 27, 2020 |title=Rising to meet the tide against the threat of coastal flooding |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/12/rising-to-meet-the-tide-against-the-threat-of-coastal-flooding/ |access-date=2020-12-28 |via=Ars Technica |magazine=Knowable Mag |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, the land on which it is built is [[Subsidence|slowly subsiding]]. Some areas already flood regularly at high tide, and the city commissioned a study in 2012 to investigate how to address the issue in the future: it reported the cost of dealing with a sea-level rise of one foot would be around $1,000,000,000. Since then, scientists at the [[Virginia Institute of Marine Science]] in 2013 have estimated that if current trends hold, the sea in Norfolk will rise by 5 and 1/2 feet or more by the end of this century.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Lori |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-norfolk-evidence-of-climate-change-is-in-the-streets-at-high-tide/2014/05/31/fe3ae860-e71f-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html |title=In Norfolk, evidence of climate change is in the streets at high tide |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2014-05-31 |access-date=2016-06-21}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Jarvis |first=Brooke |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/magazine/when-rising-seas-transform-risk-into-certainty.html |title=When Rising Seas Transform Risk Into Certainty |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2017-04-18 |access-date=2018-08-01}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
{{see also|List of tallest buildings in Norfolk, Virginia}}
[[File:Downtown Norfolk during the day.jpg|thumb|Downtown Norfolk]]
When Norfolk was first settled, homes were made of wood and [[Framing (construction)|frame]] construction, similar to most medieval English-style homes. These homes had wide [[chimney]]s and [[Thatching|thatch roofs]]. Some decades after the town was first laid out in 1682, the [[Georgian architecture|Georgian architectural style]], which was popular in the [[Southern United States|South]] at the time, was used. [[Brick]] was considered more substantial construction; patterns were made by brick laid and [[Flemish bond]]. This style evolved to include projecting center pavilions, [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]] windows, [[Baluster|balustraded]] roof decks, and two-story [[portico]]es. By 1740, homes, warehouses, stores, workshops, and taverns began to dot Norfolk's streets.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk was burned down during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. After the [[American Revolution|Revolution]], Norfolk was rebuilt in the [[Federal architecture|Federal]] style, based on Roman ideals. Federal-style homes kept Georgian symmetry, though they had more refined decorations to look like [[New World]] homes. Federal homes had features such as narrow sidelights with an embracing [[fanlight]] around the doorway, giant porticoes, gable or flat roofs, and projecting bays on exterior walls. Rooms were oval, elliptical or octagonal. Few of these federal [[rowhouse]]s remain standing today. A majority of buildings were made of wood and had a simple construction.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In the early nineteenth century, [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] architectural elements began to appear in the federal style row homes, such as [[Ionic order|ionic]] [[Classical order|columns]] in the porticoes and classic motifs over doorways and windows. Many [[Federal architecture|Federal-style]] row houses were modernized by placing a Greek-style porch at the front. Greek and Roman elements were integrated into public buildings such as the old City Hall, the old Norfolk Academy, and the Customs House.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Greek-style homes gave way to [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] in the 1830s, which emphasized [[pointed arch]]es, steep [[gable]] roofs, towers and tracer-lead windows. The Freemason Baptist Church and St. Mary's Catholic Church are examples of Gothic Revival. [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]] elements emerged in the 1840s including [[cupola]]s, [[veranda]]s, ornamental [[brickwork]], or [[Quoin (architecture)|corner quoins]]. Norfolk still had simple wooden structures among its more ornate buildings.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[High-rise]] buildings were first built in the late nineteenth century when structures such as the current Commodore Maury Hotel and the Royster Building were constructed to form the initial Norfolk skyline. Past styles were revived during the early years of the twentieth century. [[Bungalow]]s and apartment buildings became popular for those living in the city.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

As the [[Great Depression]] wore on, [[Art Deco]] emerged as a popular building style, as evidenced by the Post Office building downtown. Art Deco consisted of streamlined [[concrete]] faced appearance with smooth [[rock (geology)|stone]] or metal, with [[terracotta]], and trimming consisting of [[glass]] and colored [[tile]]s.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

===Neighborhoods===
{{See also|List of neighborhoods in Norfolk, Virginia}}
[[File:Whittle House Norfolk.jpg|thumb|[[Taylor-Whittle House]] (c. 1790), now occupied by the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach and the Norfolk Historical Society<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jlnvb.org/?nd=house |title=Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach |publisher=Jlnvb.org |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref>]]
Norfolk has a variety of historic neighborhoods, notably Freemason and West Freemason. Some neighborhoods, such as [[Berkley, Virginia|Berkley]], were formerly cities and towns. Others, including [[Willoughby Spit]] and [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]], have a long history tied to the [[Chesapeake Bay]]. The city's revitalization in recent decades has transformed neighborhoods such as [[Downtown Norfolk, Virginia|Downtown]], [[Ghent district|Ghent]] and [[Fairmount Park Neighborhood|Fairmount Park]]. Popular residential neighborhoods include Ghent, Colonial Place, Larchmont, North Shore, Edgewater, and Lafayette Shores.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Pros & Cons of Living in Norfolk, Virginia |url=https://lifeinhamptonroadsva.com/living-in-norfolk-virginia-top-pros-and-cons/ |website=Life in Hampton Roads Virginia}}</ref>

===Climate===
Narrative below is based on climate data from the 1991–2020 period. Norfolk has a [[humid subtropical climate]], typical of the [[Southern United States]], and its USDA Hardiness Zone is 8a. Spring arrives in March with mild days and cool nights, and by late May, the temperature has warmed up considerably to herald warm summer days. Summers are consistently warm and humid, but the nearby Atlantic Ocean often exercises a slight cooling effect on daytime high temperatures, but a slight warming effect on nighttime low temperatures (compared to areas farther inland). As such, temperatures reach {{cvt|90|°F}} or higher on an average 35&nbsp;days annually,<ref name="NWS Wakefield, VA (AKQ)"/> and {{cvt|100|°F|1}} are uncommon, occurring in fewer than one-third of all years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/ |title=xmACIS2 |publisher=[[NOAA]] Regional Climate Centers |quote=1) "Single-Station → Seasonal time series"; 2) Annual max temp "maximum" or "number of days" ≥ 100; 3) "ORFthr" in the Station selection ID.}}</ref> On average, July is the warmest month, with a normal mean temperature of {{cvt|81.1|°F|1}}.<ref name="NWS Wakefield, VA (AKQ)"/> On average, July and August are the wettest months, due to frequent summer thunderstorm activity. In August and September, rainfall remains high, due to rising frequency of tropical activity (hurricanes and tropical storms), which can bring high winds and heavy rains. These usually brush Norfolk and only occasionally make landfalls in the area; the highest-risk period is mid-August to the end of September. [[Autumn|Fall]] is marked by mild to warm days and cooler nights. Winter is usually mild in Norfolk, with average winter days featuring lows near or slightly above freezing and highs in the upper-40s to mid-50s (8 to 13&nbsp;°C). On average, the coldest month of the year is January, with a normal mean temperature of {{cvt|42.2|°F|1}},<ref name="NWS Wakefield, VA (AKQ)"/> Snow occurs sporadically, with an average winter accumulation of {{cvt|6.2|in|cm|1}}.<ref name="NWS Wakefield, VA (AKQ)"/> Norfolk's record high was {{cvt|105|°F|0}} on August 7, 1918, and July 24 and 25, 2010, and the record low was {{cvt|−3|°F|0}} recorded on [[January 1985 Arctic outbreak|January 21, 1985]].<ref name="NWS Wakefield, VA (AKQ)"/>

{{Norfolk, Virginia weatherbox}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790=2959
|1800=6926
|1810=9193
|1820=8478
|1830=9814
|1840=10929
|1850=14326
|1860=14620
|1870=19229
|1880=21966
|1890=34871
|1900=46624
|1910=67452
|1920=115777
|1930=129710
|1940=144335
|1950=213513
|1960=305872
|1970=307951
|1980=266979
|1990=261229
|2000=234403
|2010=242803
|2020=238005
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |title=Historical Census Browser |publisher=University of Virginia Library |access-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref><br />[http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=PEP_2015_PEPANNRES&prodType=table] 2020<ref name="QF2020"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Norfolk city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br /><small>{{nobold|''Note: The U.S. Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Norfolk city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=1600000US5157000|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Norfolk city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5157000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Norfolk city, Virginia|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5157000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|110,221
|107,463
|style='background: #ffffe6; |97,205
|47.02%
|44.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40.84%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|102,268
|102,452
|style='background: #ffffe6; |93,553
|43.63%
|42.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |39.31%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|971
|935
|style='background: #ffffe6; |832
|0.41%
|0.39%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.35%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|6,477
|7,861
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8,828
|2.76%
|3.24%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.71%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|220
|359
|style='background: #ffffe6; |475
|0.09%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.20%
|-
|Some Other Race alone (NH)
|483
|471
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,331
|0.21%
|0.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.56%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|4,848
|7,118
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12,651
|2.07%
|2.93%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.32%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|8,915
|16,144
|style='background: #ffffe6; |23,130
|3.80%
|6.65%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.72%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''234,403'''
|'''242,803'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''238,005'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[2020 census us|2020 census]], there were 238,005 people living in Norfolk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=.gov |first=Census |title=Norfolk city, Virginia 2020 Cencus |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/norfolkcityvirginia/PST045224 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

===2010 census===
[[File:USA Norfolk city, Virginia age pyramid.svg|200px|thumb|left|Population age distribution for Norfolk]]As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 242,803 people, 86,210 households, and 51,898 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|4,362.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 94,416 dwelling units at an average density of {{convert|1,757.3|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 47.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 43.1% [[African American]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 3.3% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.2% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 2.2% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 3.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 6.6% of the population. [[Non-Hispanic Whites]] were 44.3% of the population in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51710.html |title=Norfolk city, Virginia |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=May 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514022945/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51710.html |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> down from 68.5% in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |access-date=May 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012}}</ref>

There were 86,210 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Department of Development |date=October 2014 |title=Demographic Profile for Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Region |url=https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/874/Demographics-Fact-Sheet?bidId= |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=The City of Norfolk }}</ref>

The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 18.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 104.8 males. This large [[human sex ratio|gender imbalance]] is due to the military presence in the city, most notably Naval Station Norfolk.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The median income for a household in the city was $31,815, and the median income for a family was $36,891. Males had a median income of $25,848 versus $21,907 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,372. About 15.5% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those ages 65 or over.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

For the year of 2007, Norfolk had a total crime index of 514.7 per 100,000 residents. This was above the national average of 320.9 that year. For 2007, the city experienced 48 homicides, for a murder rate of 21.1 per 100,000 residents. Total crime had decreased when compared to the year 2000, which the city had a total crime index of 546.3. The highest murder rate Norfolk has experienced for the 21st century was in 2005 when its rate was 24.5 per 100,000 residents. For the year 2007 per 100,000, Norfolk experienced 21.1 murders, 42.6 rapes, 399.3 robberies, 381.3 assaults, 743.3 burglaries, and 450.6 automobile thefts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Norfolk-Virginia.html |title=Norfolk, Virginia (VA) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, sex offenders |publisher=City-data.com |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> According to the Congressional Quarterly Press '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as the 87th most dangerous city larger than 75,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/MetroCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf |title=AMSAFM2.WK4 |access-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326212621/http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/MetroCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref>

===Ethnic groups===
{{see also|Filipino Americans in Hampton Roads}}
In 2010, 4,727 people of Filipino ancestry lived in Norfolk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ww1.odu.edu/life/support/fac/facts|title=Filipinos in the US|date=April 2, 2023 |publisher=[[Old Dominion University]]|access-date=2023-11-27}}</ref>

Chinese immigration occurred after 1885, and, in 1995, 300 families were members of the Chinese Community Association.<ref>{{cite news|last=Tucker|first=George|url=https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1995/vp950402/04010178.htm|title=NORFOLK'S CHINESE HERITAGE DATES BACK MORE THAN A CENTURY|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|via=[[Virginia Tech]]|date=1995-04-02|access-date=2023-12-26}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Norfolk, Virginia}}

[[File:1888 Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co Advert for Norfolk.jpg|thumb|left|1888 advertisement for the Market Square [[A&P]]]]
Since Norfolk serves as the commercial and cultural center for the unusual geographical region of Hampton Roads (and in its political structure of independent cities), it can be difficult to separate the economic characteristics of Norfolk from that of the region as a whole.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The waterways which almost completely surround the Hampton Roads region play an important part in the local economy. As a strategic location at the mouth of the [[Chesapeake Bay]], its protected deep-water channels serve as a major trade artery for the [[import]] and [[export]] of goods from across the [[Mid-Atlantic States|Mid-Atlantic]], [[Midwestern United States|Mid-West]], and internationally.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Wisconsin museum.JPG|thumb|Nauticus and [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']]]]
In addition to commercial activities, Hampton Roads is a major military center, particularly for the [[United States Navy]], and Norfolk serves as the home for [[Naval Station Norfolk]], the world's largest naval installation. Located on [[Sewell's Point|Sewell's Point Peninsula]], in the northwest corner of the city, the station is the headquarters of the [[United States Fleet Forces Command]] (formerly known as the Atlantic Fleet), which compromises over 62,000 active-duty personnel, 75 ships, and 132 aircraft. The base also serves as the headquarters to [[NATO]]'s [[Allied Command Transformation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-11 |title=The biggest naval bases in the US |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurethe-biggest-naval-bases-in-the-us-4144545/ |access-date=2020-05-20 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web  |url=http://www.act.nato.int/contact-us |title=Contacts and Visits |publisher=Act.nato.int |date=2014-11-02 |access-date=2016-06-21}}</ref>

The region also plays an important role in defense contracting, with particular emphasis in the shipbuilding and ship repair businesses for the city of Norfolk. Major private shipyards located in Norfolk or the [[Hampton Roads]] area include: [[Huntington Ingalls Industries]] (formerly Northrop Grumman Newport News) in Newport News, [[BAE Systems Ship Repair|BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair]], [[General Dynamics]] [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company|NASSCO]] Norfolk, and Colonna's Shipyard Inc., while the US Navy's [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] is just across the [[Downtown Tunnel]] in [[Portsmouth, Virginia|Portsmouth]]. Most contracts fulfilled by these shipyards are issued by the Navy, though some private commercial repair also takes place. Over 35% of Gross Regional Product (which includes the entire Norfolk-Newport News-Virginia Beach MSA), is attributable to defense spending, and that 75% of all regional growth since 2001 is attributable to increases in defense spending.<ref name="Hampton Roads Statistics">{{cite web |url=http://bpa.odu.edu/forecasting/sor/sor2004.shtml |title=State of the Region 2004 |access-date=February 21, 2008 |publisher=Old Dominion University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120224242/http://bpa.odu.edu/forecasting/sor/sor2004.shtml |archive-date=January 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the military, the second largest and most important industry for Hampton Roads and Norfolk based on economic impact are the region's cargo ports. Headquartered in Norfolk, the [[Virginia Port Authority]] (VPA) is a [[Virginia|Commonwealth of Virginia]] owned entity that, in turn, owns and operates three major port facilities in Hampton Roads for break-bulk and container type cargo. In Norfolk, [[Norfolk International Terminals]] (NIT) represents one of those three facilities and is home to the world's largest and fastest container cranes.<ref name="NIT Facilities">{{cite web |url=http://www.vaports.com/Facilities/FAC-term-nit.htm |title=Norfolk International Terminals |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Port Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070803150402/http://www.vaports.com/Facilities/FAC-term-nit.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=August 3, 2007}}</ref> Together, the three terminals of the VPA handled a total of over 2 million [[containerization|TEUs]] and 475,000 tons of breakbulk cargo in 2006, making it the second busiest port on the east coast of North America by total cargo volume after the Port of New York and New Jersey.<ref name="Hampton Roads Ports">{{cite web |url=http://hreda.com/publicImages/downloadFiles/The%20Port%20of%20Hampton%20Roads.pdf |title=The Port of Hampton Roads |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808212304/http://hreda.com/publicImages/downloadFiles/The%20Port%20of%20Hampton%20Roads.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref>

In addition to NIT, Norfolk is home to the Lambert's Point docks, the largest coal trans-shipment point in the Northern Hemisphere,{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} with an annual capacity of approximately 48,000,000 tons.<ref name="v335">{{cite web |last=Gaffney |first=Augustyn| title=Coal Dust Is Blowin' in the Wind | website=sierraclub.org | url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/coal-dust-blowin-wind | access-date=2024-06-06}}</ref> [[Bituminous coal]] is primarily sourced from the Appalachian mountains in western Virginia, [[West Virginia]], and [[Kentucky]]. The coal is loaded onto trains and sent to the port where it is unloaded onto large breakbulk cargo ships and destined for New England, Europe, and Asia.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Between 1925 and 2007, [[Ford Motor Company]] operated [[Norfolk Assembly]], a manufacturing plant located on the [[Elizabeth River (Virginia)|Elizabeth River]] that had produced the Model-T, sedans and station wagons before building F-150 pick-up trucks.<ref name="vp1">{{cite web |title=Despite Ford's troubles, Norfolk plant is likely to keep on truckin' |publisher=Jeremiah McWilliams, The Virginian-Pilot November 11, 2005 |url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=95163&ran=106860 |access-date=April 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811045236/http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=95163&ran=106860 |archive-date=August 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Before it closed, the plant employed more than 2,600 people at the {{cvt|2800000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility.<ref name="vp1"/>
[[File:World Trade Center Norfolk.jpg|thumb|The [[Norfolk World Trade Center]] ]]
Most major shipping lines have a permanent presence in the region with some combination of sales, distribution, and/or logistical offices, many of which are located in Norfolk. In addition, many of the largest international shipping companies have chosen Norfolk as their North American headquarters. These companies are either located at the [[Norfolk World Trade Center]] building or have constructed buildings in the Lake Wright Executive Center [[office park]]. The French firm [[CMA CGM]], the Israeli firm [[Zim Integrated Shipping Services]], and [[Maersk Line|Maersk Line Limited]], a subsidiary of the world's largest shipping line, [[A. P. Moller-Maersk Group]], have their North American headquarters in Norfolk.<ref name="CMA CGM Picks Norfolk">{{cite web |url=http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/bbdeal/bd040301.htm |title=CMA-CGM Picks Norfolk, Va., as Port of Call for 376-Employee HQ |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=The Site Selection Magazine}}</ref><ref name="Zin American Israeli Shipping">{{cite web |url=http://hreda.com/publicImages/downLoadFiles/MicrosoftWord-ZimAmericanIsraeliShippingCoHREDAFINAL-April2.pdf |title=Zim American Israeli Shipping in Hampton Roads |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808212304/http://hreda.com/publicImages/downLoadFiles/MicrosoftWord-ZimAmericanIsraeliShippingCoHREDAFINAL-April2.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Maersk Line">{{cite web |url=http://www.maersklinelimited.com/mll/ |title=Maerske Line Ltd. |access-date=October 10, 2007 |publisher=Maerske Line Ltd. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009100803/http://www.maersklinelimited.com/mll/ |archive-date=October 9, 2007}}</ref> Major companies headquartered in Norfolk include [[Norfolk Southern]],<ref name="Norfolk Southern">{{cite web |url=http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Media/Corporate%20Profile/ |title=Corporate Profile |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Southern}}</ref> [[Landmark Media Enterprises|Landmark Communications]],<ref name="Landmark Communications">{{cite web |url=http://www.landmarkcom.com/about/contact.php |title=About Us |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=Landmark Communications |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021082914/http://www.landmarkcom.com/about/contact.php |archive-date=October 21, 2007}}</ref> [[Dominion Enterprises]],<ref name="Dominion Enterprises">{{cite web |url=http://www.dominionenterprises.com/ |title=About Us |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=Dominion Enterprises}}</ref> FHC Health Systems (parent company of [[ValueOptions]]),<ref name="FHC Health Systems">{{cite web |url=http://www.fhchealthsystems.com/contacts.htm |title=Contacts |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=FHC Health Systems}}</ref> Portfolio Recovery Associates,<ref name="Portfolio Recovery Associates">{{cite web |url=http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/contact_us.php |title=Contact Information |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=Portfolio Recovery Associates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801145351/http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/contact_us.php |archive-date=August 1, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> and BlackHawk Products Group.<ref name="BlackHawk Products Group">{{cite web |url=http://www.blackhawk.com/prod_details.asp?pid=contact_us |title=Contact Us |access-date=October 12, 2007 |publisher=BlackHawk Products Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911115346/http://www.blackhawk.com/prod_details.asp?pid=contact_us <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=September 11, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center, Norfolk, VA.jpg|thumb|Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center]]
Though [[Virginia Beach]] and [[Williamsburg, Virginia|Williamsburg]] have traditionally been the centers of tourism for the region, the rebirth of downtown Norfolk and the construction of a cruise ship pier at the foot of [[Nauticus]] in downtown has driven tourism to become an increasingly important part of the city's economy. The number of cruise ship passengers who visited Norfolk increased from 50,000 in 2003, to 107,000 in 2004 and 2005. Also in April 2007, the city completed construction on a $36 million state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal alongside the pier.<ref name="Half Moone Terminal">{{cite news |last=Richards |first=Gregory |title=Sleek new cruise terminal set to welcome travelers |url=http://hamptonroads.com/node/247981 |access-date=September 29, 2010 |newspaper=Virginian Pilot |date=April 7, 2007 |archive-date=January 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120102141/http://hamptonroads.com/node/247981 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Partly due to this construction, passenger counts dropped to 70,000 in 2006, but is expected to rebound to 90,000 in 2007, and higher in later years. Unlike most cruise ship terminals which are located in industrial areas, the downtown location of Norfolk's terminal has received favorable reviews from both tourists and the cruise lines who enjoy its proximity to the city's hotels, restaurants, shopping, and cultural amenities.<ref name="Cruise Norfolk">{{cite web |url=http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/ |title=Cruise Norfolk |access-date=August 9, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Cruise Terminal |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812061332/http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Hampton Roads is home to four Fortune 500 companies. Representing the food industry, transportation, retail and shipbuilding, these four companies are located in [[Smithfield, Virginia|Smithfield]], Norfolk, [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]] and [[Newport News]].
;2013 [[Fortune 500]] Corporations<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2013/full_list/index.html?iid=F500_sp_full |title=Fortune 500 2012 |publisher=Fortune |date=January 4, 2013}}</ref>
:*213 [[Smithfield Foods]]
:*247 [[Norfolk Southern]]
:*346 [[Dollar Tree]]
:*380 [[Huntington Ingalls Industries]]

26% of the 130,000 people working in Norfolk live in the city, while 74% commute in. 37% of those come from Virginia Beach and 20% come from Chesapeake. An additional 51,575 people commute outside for work, with 35% going to Virginia Beach and 20% going to Chesapeake.<ref name="Community Profile" />

===Top employers===
[[File:NavalStationNorfolk.jpg|thumb|175px|right|[[USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)|USS ''John F. Kennedy'' (CV-67)]] arriving at [[Naval Station Norfolk]]]]
According to a report published by the Virginia Employment Commission,<ref name="Community Profile">{{cite web |title=Norfolk City Community Profile |url=http://virginialmi.com/report_center/community_profiles/5104000710.pdf |publisher=Virginia Employment Commission |access-date=December 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121190445/http://virginialmi.com/report_center/community_profiles/5104000710.pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> below are the top employers in Norfolk:
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
|-
|1
|[[U.S. Department of Defense]]
|-
|2
|[[Sentara Healthcare]]
|-
|3
|Norfolk City Public Schools
|-
|4
|City of Norfolk
|-
|5
|[[Old Dominion University]]
|-
|6
|[[Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters]]
|-
|7
|Eastern Virginia Medical School
|-
|8
|Portfolio Recovery Associates
|-
|9
|Anthem, Inc.
|-
|10
|[[Navy Exchange|U.S. Navy Exchange]]
|}

{{anchor|Culture in Norfolk, Virginia|Arts anc culture|Culture}}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:MacArthurStatue.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Douglas MacArthur]] Statue]]
Due to its urban density, Norfolk acts as the cultural hub of the Hampton Roads region. In addition to its museums, Norfolk is the principal home for several major performing arts organizations. The city hosts numerous annual festivals and parades, many in [[Town Point Park]] or elsewhere in downtown.

=== Museums and galleries ===
The nationally acclaimed [[Chrysler Museum of Art]], the area's most comprehensive art museum, has its campus at the intersection of the [[Ghent district]], the Freemason neighborhood, and the NEON district.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chrysler Museum of Art |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/chrysler-museum-of-art |website=Google Arts & Culture}}</ref> Since opening in 1933, the museum's main building has been expanded six times to allow for larger glass galleries, generous space for [[Impressionism|Impressionist]] and [[Baroque Art|Baroque]] works, and more. Major improvements were completed in 2014, and today the museum features more than 50 galleries, a restaurant, and catering facilities, as well as galleries for traveling exhibits.<ref name="Chrysler Museum Renovation">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/expansion-renovation/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Expansion and Renovation |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115140445/http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/expansion-renovation/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Chrysler Museum Road Show">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/the-chrysler-museum-roadshow/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Road Show |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229135626/http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/the-chrysler-museum-roadshow/ |archive-date=December 29, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Of particular note are the American [[Neoclassicism|neoclassical]] marble sculptures, the extensive glass collection, and the Glass Studio, which has live demonstrations daily.<ref name="Chrysler Museum Glass Studio">{{cite web |url=http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/glass-studio/ |title=Chrysler Museum of Art Glass Studio |access-date=January 2, 2013 |publisher=Chrysler Museum of Art |archive-date=January 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112135635/http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/glass-studio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Chrysler Museum of Art also administers the 1792 Moses Myers House Museum in the Freemason District, next to MacArthur Mall. This museum interprets Norfolk's history and the lives and legacy of Norfolk's first Jewish family. Seventy percent of the objects in the home are original to the Myers in the early nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Moses Myers House {{!}} Historic House, Jewish History |url=https://chrysler.org/historic-houses/the-moses-myers-house/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=Chrysler Museum of Art |language=en}}</ref> The museum offers weekend tours and special monthly programming. In October 2022, the council of City of Norfolk, which owns the property, voted to proceed with the possibility of selling it, conjecturing the entirety of the property—the main house, the attached dwelling of the Myers’ enslaved servants, and the historic garden—could be sold as part of a package to developers, perhaps to operate as a bed and breakfast.<ref>{{Citation |title=Work Session – Norfolk City Council; October 11, 2022 | date=October 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd5mP3RMd7Q |language=en |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref> Multiple entities, including the Norfolk Historical Society, have expressed distress and outrage.

The [[Hermitage Foundation Museum (Norfolk, Virginia)|Hermitage Foundation Museum]], located in an early 20th-century [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor-style]] home on a {{cvt|12|acre|m2|adj=on}} estate fronting the [[Lafayette River]], is found in the Lochaven neighborhood near the northern terminus of the Elizabeth River Trail that connects many of the city's sites of cultural interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1_T41utdUns3tZkI6skGxqv4fC7f2J2o&ll=36.88326257257864%2C-76.25168776957379&z=12 | title=Elizabeth River Trail }}</ref> The Hermitage features an eclectic collection of Asian and Western art, including [[Chinese bronze]] and ceramics, [[Persian rugs]], and [[ivory carvings]], as well as changing exhibitions, arts classes, and special events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hermitagefoundation.org/index.asp |title=Hermitage Foundation Museum |publisher=Hermitagefoundation.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004025238/http://www.hermitagefoundation.org/index.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Hermitage Foundation Museum is the only [[Smithsonian Affiliate]] in the Hampton Roads region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Smithsonian Affiliations Reciprocal Membership Program |url=https://affiliations.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/reciprocal-membership-May-2022.pdf}}</ref>

Downtown Norfolk has several other museums of national significance.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Nauticus, Norfolk.JPG|right|thumb|[[Nauticus]] (National Maritime Center)]]
[[Nauticus]], the National Maritime Center, opened on the downtown waterfront in 1994. It features hands-on exhibits, interactive theaters, [[Aquarium|aquaria]], digital high-definition films and an extensive variety of educational programs. Since 2000, Nauticus has been home to the battleship [[USS Wisconsin (BB-64)|USS ''Wisconsin'']], the last battleship to be built in the United States. It served briefly in [[World War II]] and later in the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Gulf War]]s.<ref name="Nauticus">{{cite web |url=http://www.nauticus.org/ |title=Nauticus |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Nauticus}}</ref> [[Wisconsin Square]] is nearby.

The [[Norfolk City Hall|MacArthur Memorial]], located in the nineteenth-century Norfolk courthouse and city hall in downtown, contains the tombs of General [[Douglas MacArthur]] and his wife, a museum and a vast research library, personal belongings (including his famous [[corncob pipe]]) and a short film that chronicles his life.<ref name="MacArthur Memorial">{{cite web |url=http://www.macarthurmemorial.org/ |title=MacArthur Memorial |access-date=October 9, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk}}</ref>

Speciality museums include the [[Hunter House Victorian Museum]] in the Freemason neighborhood and the [[Norfolk Southern Museum]] in downtown.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Public art ===

[[File:Norfolk mermaids.jpg|thumb|[[JANAF Shopping Center]] mermaid - "Jana"]]

The city is known for its "{{visible anchor|Mermaids on Parade}}," a public art program launched in 2002 to place mermaid statues all over the city. Tourists can take a walking tour of downtown and locate 17 mermaids while others can be found further afield.<ref name="Mermaids on Parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.mermaidsonparade.com/ |title=Mermaids on Parade |access-date=October 17, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011165617/http://mermaidsonparade.com/ |archive-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref>

The NEON district has dozens of murals, many of which are supported through the City of Norfolk's Public Arts Commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Art Program |url=https://neonnfk.com/public-art-program/}}</ref>

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:Harrison operahouse.jpg|right|thumb|[[Harrison Opera House]]]]
Norfolk has a variety of performing groups with regular seasons and which also make appearances in the city's annual festivals. The [[Virginia Symphony Orchestra]], founded in 1920, has been leader in the regional arts scene. Directed by [[JoAnn Falletta]] from 1991 until 2020, the orchestra's music director is now [[Eric Jacobsen (conductor)|Erik Jacobsen]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Denise |last2=Martin |first2=Saleen |last3=Parker |first3=Stacey |title=From Chesapeake native's 'Tina,' to Missy and Pharrell: An arts and culture review of 2021 |date=December 26, 2021 |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/arts/vp-db-arts-cultural-year-in-review-122621-20211226-hlo34panynhqfoxxzgdnzqlgqi-story.html |publisher=The Virginian Pilot}}</ref> Most Norfolk performances take place at [[Chrysler Hall]] in the [[Norfolk Scope|Scope]] complex downtown. The orchestra provides musicians for many other performing arts organizations in the area.<ref name="Virginia Symphony">{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |title=Virginia Symphony |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Symphony |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611100831/http://www.virginiasymphony.org/ |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Virginia Stage Company, founded in 1968, is one of the country's leading regional theaters and produces a full season of plays in the [[Wells Theatre]] downtown. The company shares facilities with the [[Governor's School for the Arts]].<ref name="Virginia Stage Company">{{cite web |url=http://www.vastage.com/ |title=Virginia Stage Company |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Stage Company}}</ref>'

The [[Virginia Opera]] was founded in Norfolk in 1974. Its artistic director since its inception has been Peter Mark,<ref>{{cite web |author=Virginia Opera at www.vaopera.org |url=http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |title=Virginia Opera Website |publisher=Vaopera.org |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312192832/http://www.vaopera.org/html/companyinfo/staff.cfm |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who conducted his 100th opera production for the VOA in 2008. Though performances are staged statewide, the company's principal venue is the [[Harrison Opera House]] in the [[Ghent district]].<ref name="Virginia Opera">{{cite web |url=http://www.vaopera.org/ |title=Virginia Opera |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Opera}}</ref>

Large-scale concerts are held at either the [[Norfolk Scope]] arena or the [[Ted Constant Convocation Center]] at [[Old Dominion University|ODU]], while [[Norva Theatre|The Norva]] provides a more intimate atmosphere for smaller groups. Other Norfolk cultural venues include the [[Attucks Theatre]], the Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center (formerly the Loew's State Theater) and the Naro Expanded Cinema.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Festivals ===
A range of arts and cultural festivals take place annually in Norfolk. The [[Virginia Arts Festival]], founded in 1997, is based in Norfolk and has events throughout the region, drawing in arts from around the world and featuring local talent. One of the key events of the festival is the [[Virginia International Tattoo]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.vafest.org/about-us/ |publisher=Virginia Arts Festival |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903202708/https://www.vafest.org/about-us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia International Tattoo |url=https://www.visitnorfolk.com/virginia-international-tattoo/ |website=Visit Norfolk}}</ref> The [[Norfolk NATO Festival]], formerly the International Azela Festival, has taken place each spring since 1951 and is the longest continually running festival in the Hampton Roads Region. The Norfolk NATO Festival highlights Norfolk's role as the North American Headquarters of [[NATO]] and fosters cultural exchange and appreciation of NATO allies.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Norfolk International Azalea Festival Honors NATO |url=http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200003601/ |website=Library of Congress|year=2000 }}</ref> The Stockley Gardens Art Festival, which takes place in parks the historic Ghent neighborhood, occurs twice yearly, in May and October. The festival draws vendors from well beyond the region and attracts upwards of 20,000 visitors.<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 Fall Stockley Gardens Arts Festival |date=July 13, 2022 |url=https://ghentnorfolk.org/2022-fall-stockley-gardens-arts-festival/}}</ref> The [[St. Patrick's Day]] annual parade in the city's [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]] neighborhood, on the northern edge of the city, celebrates Ocean View's rich Irish heritage.<ref name="Norfolk St. Patrick's Day Parade">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkparade.com/ |title=Norfolk St. Patrick's Day Parade |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=Knights of Columbus, Father Robert Kealey Council #3548}}</ref>

Harborfest, the region's largest annual festival, celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2006. It is held during the first weekend of June in Town Point Park and celebrates the region's proximity and attachment to the water. The Parade of Sails (numerous tall sailing ships from around the world form in line and sail past downtown before docking at the marina), music concerts, regional food, and a large fireworks display highlight this three-day festival.<ref name="Festevents"/> Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival, a celebration of the [[Cajun]] people and culture, had small beginnings. This three-day festival during the third week of June has become one of the largest in the region and, in addition to serving up [[Cajun cuisine]], also features [[Cajun music]].<ref name="Festevents"/> Norfolk's [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] celebration of American independence contains a spectacular fireworks display and a special Navy reenlistment ceremony.<ref name="Festevents"/> The [[Norfolk Jazz Festival]], though smaller by comparison to some of the big city jazz festivals, still manages to attract the country's top jazz performers. It is held in August.<ref name="Festevents"/> The Town Point Virginia Wine Festival has become a showcase for Virginia-produced wines and has enjoyed increasing success over the years. Virginia's burgeoning wine industry has become noted both within the United States and on an international level. The festival has grown with the industry. Wines can be sampled and then purchased by the bottle and/or case directly from the winery kiosks. This event takes place during the third weekend of October. There is also a Spring Wine Festival held during the second weekend of May.<ref name="Festevents">{{cite web |url=http://www.festeventsva.org/events.php |title=Festevents |access-date=August 4, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk Festevents |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704001859/http://www.festeventsva.org/events.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=July 4, 2007}}</ref>

=== Role in revitalization ===
The revitalization of downtown Norfolk has helped to improve the Hampton Roads cultural scene. Many of Norfolk's attractions are now connected by the {{convert|10.5|mi|adj=on}} long Elizabeth River Trail, a pedestrian and bike trail that winds along the city's waterfront. The trail's first segment of opened in 2003 on land donated by Norfolk Southern.<ref>{{cite web |title=A collaborative community and a love of history brought the Elizabeth River Trail to life |url=https://elizabethrivertrail.org/history |publisher=Elizabeth River Trail |access-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903113048/https://elizabethrivertrail.org/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> A large number of clubs, representing a wide range of music interests and sophistication now line the lower Granby Street area.<ref name="Nightlife and Entertainment in Downtown Norfolk">{{cite web |url=http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/enjoy/events/nightlife |title=Nightlife and Entertainment in Downtown Norfolk |access-date=February 6, 2010 |publisher=Downtown Norfolk Council}}</ref> The nearby [[Waterside Festival Marketplace]] has also continued to be successful as a nightclub and bar venue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Nightlife in Norfolk {{!}} Frommer's |url=https://www.frommers.com/destinations/norfolk/nightlife/overview |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.frommers.com}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:NorfolkBotanicalGardenCanal.jpg|thumb|Canal at the [[Norfolk Botanical Garden]]]]
Norfolk has a variety of parks and open spaces in its city parks system.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.visitnorfolk.com/things-to-do/sports-and-recreation/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121063224/http://www.visitnorfolktoday.com/fun-things-to-do/sports-and-recreation |url-status=dead |title=Sports and Recreation in Norfolk |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |website=www.visitnorfolk.com}}</ref> The city maintains three beaches on its north shore in the [[Ocean View, Virginia|Ocean View]] area. Five additional parks contain picnic facilities and playgrounds for children. The city also has some community pools open to city residents.<ref name="Norfolk Parks">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/rpos/parks.asp |title=Major Norfolk Parks |access-date=October 13, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008221354/http://www.norfolk.gov/rpos/parks.asp |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Town Point Park]] in downtown plays host to a wide variety of annual events from early spring through late fall.

The [[Norfolk Botanical Garden]], opened in 1939, is a {{cvt|155|acre|km2|1|adj=on}} [[botanical garden]] and [[arboretum]] located near the Norfolk International Airport. It is open year-round.<ref name="Norfolk Botanical Gardens">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/ |title=Festevents |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk Botanical Gardens}}</ref>
[[File:Norfolk Zoo Entrance.jpg|thumb|[[Virginia Zoo]]]]
The [[Virginia Zoo]], opened in 1900, is a {{cvt|65|acre|m2|adj=on}} [[zoo]] with hundreds of animals on display, including the [[critically endangered]] [[Siberian tiger]] and [[Threatened species|threatened]] [[white rhino]].<ref name="Virginia Zoo">{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiazoo.org/about/history.php |title=Zoo History |access-date=October 13, 2007 |publisher=Virginia Zoo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826214123/http://www.virginiazoo.org/about/history.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=August 26, 2007}}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:harbor park.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[Harbor Park]]]]
{{Main|Sports in Norfolk, Virginia}}

Norfolk serves as home to the two highest level professional franchises in the state of Virginia — the [[Norfolk Tides]] play baseball in the [[International League]], and the [[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] play ice hockey in the [[ECHL]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/norfolk/team/norfolk-tides-team|title=Norfolk Tides|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref>

Norfolk has two universities with Division I sports teams — the [[Old Dominion Monarchs]] and the [[Norfolk State University]] Spartans — which provide many sports including football, basketball, and baseball.<ref name="Admirals">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkadmirals.com/ |title=Norfolk Admirals |access-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Monarchs">{{cite web |url=http://odusports.cstv.com/ |title=ODU Monarchs |access-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220125022/http://odusports.cstv.com/ |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Spartans">{{cite web |url=http://www.nsuspartans.com/ |title=NSU Spartans |access-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref>

From 1970 to 1976, Norfolk served as the home court (along with [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]], [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], and [[Roanoke, Virginia|Roanoke]]) for the [[Virginia Squires]] regional professional basketball franchise of the now-defunct [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA). From 1970 to 1971, the Squires played their Norfolk home games at the [[Old Dominion University Fieldhouse]]. In November 1971, the [[Virginia Squires|Squires]] played their Norfolk home games at the new [[Norfolk Scope]] arena, until the team and the ABA league folded in May 1976.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Virginia-Squires.html |title=Remember the ABA – Virginia Squires Page |access-date=October 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223331/http://www.remembertheaba.com/Virginia-Squires.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

In 1971, Norfolk built an entertainment and sports complex, featuring [[Chrysler Hall]] and the 13,800-seat [[Norfolk Scope]] indoor arena, located in the northern section of downtown. Norfolk Scope has served as a venue for major events including the American Basketball Association All-Star Game in 1974,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/ABAAllStarGames/AllStar.html |title=Remember the ABA, All Star Games |access-date=October 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221221458/http://www.remembertheaba.com/ABAAllStarGames/AllStar.html |archive-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref> and the first and second [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship]]s (also known as the ''Women's Final Four'') in 1982 and 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1982-bracket.html |title=1982 NCAA National Championship Tournament |access-date=March 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730220713/http://geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1982-bracket.html |archive-date=July 30, 2009}}</ref><ref name="1983tourney">{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1983-bracket.html |title=1983 Tournament |access-date=March 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730220713/http://geocities.com/Colosseum/1244/1983-bracket.html |archive-date=July 30, 2009}}</ref>

Norfolk is also home to the [[Norfolk Blues]] Rugby Football Club. Their home playing fields are Lafayette Park in Norfolk and the [[Virginia Beach Sportsplex]] in Virginia Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-02 |title=Norfolk Blues Rugby |url=https://bluesrugby.org/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Norfolk Blues Rugby |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Virginia Beach City FC]] is an American professional soccer club based in Norfolk playing in the [[National Premier Soccer League]] (NPSL) in the Mid-Atlantic Conference of the Northeast Region. Home matches are played at Powhatan Field.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Beach City FC to Play 2019 Home Matches at Powhatan Field |url=https://www.vbcityfc.com/blogs/news/virginia-beach-city-fc-to-play-2019-home-matches-at-powhatan-field |website=The Official Virginia Beach City FC Website |access-date=27 March 2019 |archive-date=February 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208034523/https://www.vbcityfc.com/blogs/news/virginia-beach-city-fc-to-play-2019-home-matches-at-powhatan-field |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[National Wrestling Alliance]], [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], [[World Championship Wrestling]], and [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] have all presented wrestling shows at Norfolk Arena and the Scope from the 1960s to today, with many of these being [[Pay Per View]] events. Six-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion [[Lou Thesz]] lived in Norfolk and opened a wrestling school, Virginia Wrestling Academy, downtown in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://buddyrogers.net/media/on-this-day-november-22-1979-battle-of-the-nature-boys-nature-boy-buddy-rogers-defeats-nature-boy-ric-flair-norfolk-va/ |title=On This Day: November 22, 1979 – Battle of the Nature Boys – Nature Boy Buddy Rogers defeats Nature Boy Ric Flair – Norfolk, VA – BuddyRogers.net |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213202509/http://buddyrogers.net/media/on-this-day-november-22-1979-battle-of-the-nature-boys-nature-boy-buddy-rogers-defeats-nature-boy-ric-flair-norfolk-va/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sadgeniu.wordpress.com/|script-title=ja:セッド・ジニアス Sad Genius|script-website=ja:セッド・ジニアス Sad Genius}}</ref>

==Government==
Norfolk is heavily Democratic. Since 1900 it has only voted Republican in four elections, each of which was a national landslide. The last time it supported a Republican presidential candidate was in 1972, and since the turn of the century it has voted Democratic by over 60% in every election.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections | url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ | access-date=2025-07-30 | website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Norfolk, Virginia|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|website=uselectionatlas.org}} Retrieved 2020-12-08.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1880|Republican|2,047|2,012|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|2,913|2,392|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|3,741|1,969|23|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|2,452|2,587|97|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,475|3,068|166|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|3,024|3,883|62|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|977|2,559|60|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|991|2,271|30|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|195|3,539|494|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|963|3,234|95|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,386|5,953|78|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,447|5,061|416|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|8,392|5,888|0|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,403|8,814|250|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,229|10,561|59|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,485|10,783|36|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|4,958|12,010|28|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|7,556|9,370|1,534|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|14,166|11,862|46|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|18,650|14,571|1,304|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|17,174|22,037|262|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|18,429|32,388|729|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|22,302|28,477|15,050|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|38,385|25,737|2,095|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|28,099|39,295|3,008|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|27,506|35,118|4,576|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|36,360|38,913|243|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|30,538|37,778|575|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|22,362|37,602|9,063|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|18,693|37,655|3,776|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|21,920|38,221|1,805|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|26,401|43,518|651|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|24,814|62,819|813|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|23,147|62,687|1,209|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|21,552|57,023|4,810|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|23,443|64,440|1,998|Virginia}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|24,377|59,941|1,691|Virginia}}
{{PresFoot}}

Norfolk is an [[independent city (United States)#Virginia|independent city]] with services that both counties and cities in Virginia provide, such as a [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]], social services, and a court system. Norfolk operates under a council-manager form of government.

Norfolk city government consists of a [[city council]] with representatives from seven districts serving in a [[Legislature|legislative]] and oversight capacity, as well as a popularly elected, at-large [[mayor]]. The [[city manager]] serves as head of the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] and supervises all city departments and executing policies adopted by the council. Citizens in each of the five wards elect one council representative each to serve a four-year term. There are two additional council members elected from two citywide "superwards." The city council meets at City Hall weekly<ref name="Norfolk City Council"/> and, as of May 2023, consists of: Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander; Mamie Johnson, Ward 3; Danica Royster, Superward 7; John E. Paige, Ward 4; Courtney Doyle, Ward 2; Vice-Mayor Martin Thomas, Ward 1; Andria McClellan, Superward 6; Thomas R. Smigiel Jr. Ward 5.<ref name="Norfolk City Council">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/City_Hall/ |title=Norfolk City Hall |access-date=October 13, 2010 |publisher=Norfolk City Council |archive-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209133614/http://www.norfolk.gov/City_Hall/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{further|List of mayors of Norfolk, Virginia}}

The city government has an infrastructure to create close working relationships with its citizens. Norfolk's city government provides services for neighborhoods, including service centers and civic leagues that interact directly with members of city council. Such services include preserving area histories, home rehabilitation centers, outreach programs, and a university that trains citizens in neighborhood clean-up, event planning, neighborhood leadership, and financial planning.<ref name="Neighborhoods">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/NSCBerkley.asp |title=Neighborhood Service Center |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121114648/http://www.norfolk.gov/Neighborhoods/Services/NSCBerkley.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=January 21, 2008}}</ref> [[Norfolk Police Department|Norfolk's police department]] also provides support for neighborhood watch programs including a citizens' training academy, security design, a police athletic program for youth, and business watch programs.<ref name="Neighborhood Police">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Police/Crime_Prevention.asp#safer |title=Norfolk Police |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214135210/http://www.norfolk.gov/POLICE/Crime_Prevention.asp#safer |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Norfolk also has a federal courthouse for the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia]]. The [[Walter E. Hoffman U.S. Courthouse]] in Norfolk has four judges, four magistrate judges, and two bankruptcy judges.<ref>[http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/locations/nor.htm U.S. Courts] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516063711/http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/locations/nor.htm|date=May 16, 2008 }} – Norfolk courthouse</ref> Additionally, Norfolk has its own [[District court|general district]] and [[circuit court]]s, which convene downtown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/circuit_court/dockets.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527084209/http://www.norfolk.gov/circuit_court/dockets.asp |url-status=dead |title=Norfolk Courts Dockets |archive-date=May 27, 2010}}</ref> It is considered a Democratic stronghold.

Since redistricting Norfolk is located in {{ushr|Virginia|3}}, served by U.S. representative [[Robert C. Scott]] (Democrat).

==Education==
{{Main|Education in Norfolk, Virginia}}

[[Norfolk City Public Schools]], the public school system, comprises five high schools, eight middle schools, 34 elementary schools, and nine special-purpose/preschools. In 2005, Norfolk Public Schools won the $1 million [[Broad Prize for Urban Education]] for having demonstrated, "the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps for poor and minority students".<ref name="Broad Prize for Urban Education Award">{{cite web |url=http://www.broadprize.org/frequent.shtml |title=Broad Prize for Urban Education Award |access-date=February 21, 2008 |publisher=Broad Prize for Urban Education Award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928044613/http://www.broadprize.org/frequent.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> The city had previously been nominated in 2003 and 2004. There are also a number of [[private schools]] located in the city, the oldest of which, [[Norfolk Academy]], was founded in 1728.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norfolkacademy.org/about|title=About Norfolk Academy|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref> Religious schools located in the city include St. Pius X Catholic School, Alliance Christian School, Christ the King School, [[Norfolk Christian Schools]] and Trinity Lutheran School.<ref name="Private Schools">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Education/private_schools.asp |title=Norfolk Private Schools |access-date=February 26, 2008 |publisher=City of Norfolk |archive-date=March 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314120915/http://www.norfolk.gov/Education/private_schools.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The city also hosts the [[Governor's School for the Arts]] which holds performances and classes at the [[Wells Theatre]].

[[File:Jones-200wide.jpg|frame|right|The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at [[Eastern Virginia Medical School]]]]
Norfolk is home to three public universities and one private. It also hosts a [[community college]] campus in downtown. [[Old Dominion University]], founded as the Norfolk Division of the [[College of William & Mary]] in 1930, became an independent institution in 1962 and now offers degrees in 68 undergraduate and 95 (60 masters/35 doctoral) graduate degree programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.odu.edu/about|title=About Odu – Old Dominion University|access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> [[Eastern Virginia Medical School]], founded as a community medical school by the surrounding jurisdictions in 1973, is noted for its research into [[reproductive medicine]]<ref name="About Jones Institute">{{cite web |url=http://www.jonesinstitute.org/ |title=Jones Institute |access-date=March 7, 2008 |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205055510/http://www.jonesinstitute.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is located in the region's major medical complex in the [[Ghent district]]. [[Norfolk State University]], founded in 1935 is the second largest HBCU, in Virginia. Norfolk State offers degrees in a wide variety of [[liberal arts]], Social Work, Nursing, and Engineering. [[Virginia State University]] being the first largest HBCU in Virginia, which was founded in 1882.<ref name="AboutNSU">{{cite web |url=http://www.nsu.edu/about/ |title=About Norfolk State |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230183917/http://www.nsu.edu/about/ |archive-date=December 30, 2007}}</ref> [[Virginia Wesleyan College]] is a small private [[liberal arts]] college and shares its eastern border with the neighboring city of Virginia Beach.<ref name="About VWU">{{cite web |url=http://www.vwc.edu/about/ |title=About Virginia Wesleyan |access-date=March 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404024302/http://www.vwc.edu/about/ |archive-date=April 4, 2008}}</ref> [[Tidewater Community College]] offers two-year degrees and specialized training programs and is located in downtown. Additionally, several for-profit schools operate in the city.

===Norfolk Public Library===
Norfolk Public Library, Virginia's first public library, consists of one main library, two anchor libraries, nine branch libraries and a [[bookmobile]]. The library also has a local history and genealogy room and contains government documents dating back to the 19th century. The libraries offer services such as computer classes, book reviews, tax forms, and online book clubs.<ref name="Libraries">{{cite web |url=http://www.npl.lib.va.us/faqs.html#about |title=Norfolk Libraries |access-date=February 26, 2008 |publisher=Norfolk Public Library |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524180756/http://www.npl.lib.va.us/faqs.html#about |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Slover Library, centrally located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, holds over 133,000 books and resources available for borrowing, hosts numerous classes and community events, houses the history Sargeant Memorial Collection, and offers patrons the use of cutting-edge technologies and studio spaces. Technology areas include a Sound Studio, Design Studio, Production Studio, YOUmedia lab, Maker Studio (Selden Market), and Computer Room and Training Lab.<ref name="Slover Library">{{cite web |url=https://www.sloverlibrary.com/library-spaces |title=Slover Library Highlights and Features |access-date=October 28, 2022 |publisher=Slover Library |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028054243/https://www.sloverlibrary.com/library-spaces |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Media==
Norfolk's daily newspaper is ''[[The Virginian-Pilot]]''. Its alternative papers include the (now defunct) ''[[Port Folio Weekly]]'', the ''[[New Journal and Guide]]'', and the online AltDaily.com. ''[[Inside Business (newspaper)|Inside Business]]'' serves the regional business community with local business news.<ref name="Hampton Roads News Links"/>

{{anchor|Norfolk Post}}''Norfolk Post'' was published 13 January 1921 to 1 February 1924.<ref>{{cite web |title=Norfolk Post |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=cl&cl=CL1&sp=NPO |website=Virginia Chronicle: Digital Newspaper Archive |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref>

Local universities publish their own newspapers: [[Old Dominion University]]'s ''Mace and Crown'', [[Norfolk State University]]'s ''The Spartan Echo'', and [[Virginia Wesleyan College]]'s ''Marlin Chronicles''.<ref name="Hampton Roads News Links">{{cite web |url=http://www.abyznewslinks.com/unitevanr.htm |title=Hampton Roads News Links |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=abyznewslinks.com}}</ref>

''Coastal Virginia Magazine'' is a bi-monthly regional magazine for Norfolk and the [[Hampton Roads]] area.<ref name="Hampton Roads Magazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.hrmag.com |title=Hampton Roads Magazine |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Magazine |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928171054/http://www.hrmag.com/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Hampton Roads Times'' is an online magazine for Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk is served by a variety of radio stations on the AM and FM dials, with towers located around the [[Hampton Roads]] area. These cater to many different interests, including [[news]], [[talk radio]], and [[sports]], as well as an eclectic mix of [[music]]al interests.<ref name="Hampton Roads Radio Links">{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/Norfolk_VA.aspx |title=Hampton Roads Radio Links |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=ontheradio.net |archive-date=August 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805002934/http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/Norfolk_VA.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Norfolk is served by several television stations. The Hampton Roads [[Media market|designated market area]] (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.).<ref name="nielsen">Holmes, Gary. "[http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD# Nielsen Reports 1.1% increase in U.S. Television Households for the 2006–2007 Season] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705100549/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD%23|date=July 5, 2009 }}." ''[[Nielsen Media Research]].'' September 23, 2006. Retrieved on September 28, 2007.</ref> Major network television affiliates include:
{|class="wikitable"
|+ align="bottom"|
! style="background:#ffcccc;"|Channel
! style="background:#ffcccc;"|[[Callsign]]
! style="background:#ffcccc;"|Network(s)
|-
|3
|[[WTKR-TV|WTKR]]
|([[CBS]])
|-
|10
|[[WAVY-TV|WAVY]]
|([[NBC]])

|-
|13
|[[WVEC-TV|WVEC]]
|([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]])
|-
|15
|[[WHRO-TV|WHRO]]
|([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]])
|-
|27
|[[WGNT]]
|([[Independent station (North America)|Independent]])
|-
|33
|[[WTVZ-TV|WTVZ]]
|([[MyNetworkTV]])
|-
|43
|[[WVBT]]
|([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]],<br />[[The CW]] [DT2])
|-
|49
|[[WPXV-TV]]
|([[ION Television]])
|-
|}
Norfolk residents also can receive independent stations, such as [[WSKY-TV|WSKY]] broadcasting on channel 4 from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and [[WGBS-LD]] broadcasting on channel 11 from [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]]. Norfolk is served by [[Cox Cable]] which provides [[LNC 5]], a local [[24-hour news cycle|24-hour]] [[United States cable news|cable news]] television network. [[DirecTV]] and [[Dish Network]] are also very popular as an alternative to [[cable television]] in Norfolk.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Several major [[Film|motion pictures]] have been filmed in and around Norfolk, including ''[[Rollercoaster (1977 film)|Rollercoaster]]'' (filmed at the former [[Ocean View Amusement Park]]), ''[[Navy SEALs (film)|Navy Seals]]'', and ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]'' (partially filmed at the [[Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel]]).<ref name="IMDB_nor_movies">"[https://www.imdb.com/List?endings=on&&locations=Norfolk,+Virginia,+USA Titles with locations including Norfolk, Virginia, USA]{{Dead link|date=July 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}." ''[[Internet Movie Database|IMDB]].'' Retrieved on September 28, 2007.</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
{{further|Transportation in Norfolk|Hampton Roads Transit}}
[[File:Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.jpg|thumb|[[Hampton Roads Bridge–Tunnel]]]]
The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point, where many railroad lines started. Norfolk was the terminus of the [[Atlantic and Danville Railway]] in 1890.<ref name="AmRails2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.american-rails.com/nfd.html#gallery[pageGallery]/3/ |title=American Rails |last=Burns |first=Adam |access-date=18 June 2020}}</ref> It is linked to its neighbors by an extensive network of [[Interstate Highway System|interstate highways]], [[bridge]]s, [[tunnel]]s, and three [[bridge-tunnel]] complexes, which are the only bridge-tunnels in the United States. The city was the corporate headquarters of [[Norfolk Southern Railway]], one of North America's principal [[Class I railroad]]s, before the company relocated their headquarters to [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[File:HRT 1603 at Norfolk General.jpg|thumb|Hampton Roads Transit bus at [[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]]]]
Norfolk is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of arterial and [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]], [[bridge]]s, [[tunnel]]s, and [[bridge-tunnel]] complexes. The major east–west routes are [[Interstate 64 in Virginia|Interstate 64]], [[U.S. Route 58 in Virginia|U.S. Route 58]] ([[Virginia Beach Boulevard]]) and [[U.S. Route 60 in Virginia|U.S. Route 60]] (Ocean View Avenue). The major north–south routes are [[U.S. Route 13 in Virginia|U.S. Route 13]] and [[U.S. Route 460 in Virginia|U.S. Route 460]], also known as [[Granby Street]]. Other main roadways in Norfolk include [[Virginia State Route 403|Newtown Road]], [[Waterside Drive]], [[Tidewater Drive]], and [[Military Highway]]. The Hampton Roads Beltway (I-64 and [[I-664]]) makes a loop around Norfolk.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk is primarily served by the [[Norfolk International Airport]] {{Airport codes|ORF|KORF|ORF}}, now the region's major commercial airport. The airport is located near the Chesapeake Bay, along with the city limits straddling neighboring [[Virginia Beach, Virginia|Virginia Beach]].<ref name="ORF History">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/missionhistory.htm |title=Norfolk International Airport Mission and History |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk International Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928203630/http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/missionhistory.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref> Seven airlines provide nonstop services to twenty five destinations. ORF had 3,703,664 passengers take off or land at its facility and 68,778,934 pounds of cargo were processed through its facilities.<ref name="ORF Statistics">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/orfstats.pdf |title=Norfolk International Airport Statistics |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk International Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025202830/http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/orfstats.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> [[Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport]] also provides commercial air service for the [[Hampton Roads]] area.<ref name="Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport">{{cite web |url=http://www.nnwairport.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001204184500/http://www.nnwairport.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2000 |title=Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport |access-date=February 25, 2008 |publisher=Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport}}</ref> NNWIA is also the only airport in the region with direct international flights, as of February 2013. The [[Chesapeake Regional Airport]] provides general aviation services and is located {{cvt|5|mi}} outside the city limits.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk is served by [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Regional]] service through the [[Norfolk (Amtrak station)|Norfolk]] station, located in downtown Norfolk adjacent to [[Harbor Park]] stadium. The line runs west along [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]] trackage, paralleling the [[U.S. Route 460 in Virginia|US Route 460]] corridor to [[Petersburg, Virginia|Petersburg]], thence on to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] and beyond.
A high-speed rail connection at Richmond to both the [[Northeast Corridor]] and the [[Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor|Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor]] are also under study.<ref name="SEHSR">{{cite web |url=http://www.sehsr.org/ |title=Southeast High Speed Rail |access-date=October 15, 2007 |publisher=Southeast High Speed Rail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515181215/http://www.sehsr.org/ |archive-date=May 15, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Greyhound Lines]] provides service from a central bus terminal in downtown Norfolk.<ref name="Today's Bus">{{cite web |url=http://www.todaysbus.com/ |title=Today's Bus |access-date=October 10, 2007 |publisher=Today's Bus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008133847/http://www.todaysbus.com/ |archive-date=October 8, 2007}}</ref>

In April 2007, construction of the new $36 million Half Moone Cruise Terminal was completed downtown adjacent to the Nauticus Museum, providing a [[state-of-the-art]] permanent structure for various cruise lines and passengers wishing to embark from Norfolk. Previously, makeshift structures were used to embark/disembark passengers, supplies, and crew.<ref name="Half Moone Terminal" />

The [[Intracoastal Waterway]] passes through Norfolk. Norfolk also has extensive frontage and port facilities on the navigable portions of the [[Western Branch Elizabeth River|Western]] and [[Southern Branch Elizabeth River|Southern]] Branches of the [[Elizabeth River (Virginia)|Elizabeth River]].
[[File:PortsmouthNorfolkFerry1.jpg|thumb|Ferry to Portsmouth]]
[[Light rail]], [[bus]], [[ferry]] and [[paratransit]] services are provided by [[Hampton Roads Transit]] (HRT), the regional [[public transport]] system headquartered in Hampton. HRT buses operate throughout Norfolk and South Hampton Roads and onto the Peninsula all the way up to Williamsburg. Other routes travel to [[Smithfield, Virginia|Smithfield]]. HRT's ferry service connects downtown Norfolk to Old Town Portsmouth.<ref name="HRT Service">{{cite web |url=http://www.gohrt.com/schedulesandservices/busroutes.html |title=Schedules and Service |access-date=August 11, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629015529/http://gohrt.com/schedulesandservices/busroutes.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref> Additional services include an HOV express bus to the [[Norfolk Naval Base]], paratransit services, park-and-ride lots, and the Norfolk Electric Trolley, which provides service in the downtown area.<ref name="About HRT">{{cite web |url=http://www.gohrt.com/aboutus/aboutHRT.html |title=About HRT |access-date=August 11, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218184601/http://www.gohrt.com/aboutus/aboutHRT.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=February 18, 2007}}</ref>
The [[Tide Light Rail|Tide light rail]] service began operations in August 2011.<ref name="HRT Pressroom">{{cite web |url=http://www.gohrt.com/aboutus/pressroom/08032007.html |title=The Tide in Last Stage of Review |access-date=August 11, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235941/http://www.gohrt.com/aboutus/pressroom/08032007.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=September 26, 2007}}</ref> The light rail is a starter route running along the southern portion of Norfolk, commencing at Newtown Road and passing through stations serving areas such as [[Norfolk State University]] and [[Harbor Park]] before going through the heart of downtown Norfolk and terminating at [[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]].<ref name="Norfolk Light Rail Project">{{cite web |url=http://www.gohrt.com/developmentprojects/norfolklightrailtransitproject.html |title=Norfolk Light Rail Project |access-date=August 11, 2007 |publisher=Hampton Roads Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809014836/http://www.gohrt.com/developmentprojects/norfolklightrailtransitproject.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> Hampton Roads Transportation, Inc. dispatches Black and White Cabs of Norfolk, Yellow Cab of Norfolk and Norfolk Checker Cab.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

===Utilities===
Water and sewer services are provided by the city's Department of Utilities. Norfolk receives its electricity from [[Dominion Virginia Power]] which has local sources including the Chesapeake Energy Center (a gas power plant), coal-fired plants in [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]] and [[Southampton County, Virginia|Southampton County]], and the Surry Nuclear Power Plant. Norfolk-headquartered [[AGL Resources#Virginia Natural Gas|Virginia Natural Gas]], a subsidiary of [[AGL Resources]], distributes [[natural gas]] to the city from storage plants in [[James City County, Virginia|James City County]] and [[Chesapeake, Virginia|Chesapeake]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Norfolk's water quality has been recognized one of the cleanest water systems in the United States and ranked as the fourth best in the United States by ''[[Men's Health (magazine)|Men's Health]]''.<ref name="Norfolk Utilities"/> The city of Norfolk has a tremendous capacity for clean fresh water. The city owns nine reservoirs: Lake Whitehurst, Little Creek Reservoir, Lake Lawson, Lake Smith, Lake Wright, Lake Burnt Mills, Western Branch Reservoir, Lake Prince and Lake Taylor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Utilities/resources/default.asp |title=Utilities Water Resources, City of Norfolk |publisher=Norfolk.gov |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505113401/http://www.norfolk.gov/utilities/resources/default.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Virginia tidewater area has grown faster than the local freshwater supply. The river water has always been salty, and the fresh groundwater is no longer available in most areas. Currently, water for the cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach is pumped from [[Lake Gaston]] (which straddles the Virginia-North Carolina border) into the City of Norfolk's reservoir system and then diverted to the City of Chesapeake for treatment by the City of Chesapeake. Virginia Beach's portion of water is treated by the City of Norfolk at Moores Bridges water treatment plant and then piped into Virginia Beach. The pipeline is {{cvt|76|mi|km}} long and {{cvt|60|in|mm}} in diameter. Much of its follows the former [[right-of-way (railroad)|right-of-way]] of an abandoned portion of the [[Virginian Railway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/lakegaston.html |title=VA Places, Gaston Pipeline |publisher=Virginiaplaces.org |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> It is capable of pumping 60 million gallons of water per day; Virginia Beach and Chesapeake are partners in the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vbgov.com/dept/putility/lake_gaston/ |title=VA Beach Government, Department of Public Utilities |publisher=Vbgov.com |access-date=2016-06-21 |archive-date=October 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016004357/http://www.vbgov.com/dept/putility/lake_gaston/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The city provides wastewater services for residents and transports wastewater to the regional Hampton Roads Sanitation District treatment plants.<ref name="Norfolk Utilities">{{cite web |url=http://www.norfolk.gov/Utilities/ |title=Norfolk Department of Utilities |access-date=October 17, 2007 |publisher=City of Norfolk}}</ref>

===Healthcare===
[[File:Sentara Norfolk General.jpg|thumb|[[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]]]]
Because of the prominence of the [[Naval Medical Center Portsmouth]] and the Hampton [[Veterans Health Administration|VA]] Medical Center in Hampton, Norfolk has had a strong role in medicine. Norfolk is served by [[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]], [[Sentara Leigh Hospital]], and [[Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center]]. The city is also home to the [[Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters]] and [[Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital]].<ref name="Hospital Listings">{{cite web |url=http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/Virginia.htm |title=Virginia Hospitals and Medical Centers |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=The Agape Center |archive-date=August 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827140236/http://www.theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/Virginia.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Norfolk is home to [[Eastern Virginia Medical School]] (EVMS), which is known for its specialists in [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], [[dermatology]], and [[obstetrics]]. It achieved international fame on March 1, 1980, when Drs. Georgianna and Howard Jones opened the first [[in vitro fertilization]]<ref>Nyantoe Yallah</ref> clinic in the U.S. at EVMS. The country's first in-vitro [[test-tube baby]] was born there in December 1981.<ref name="Jones Institute - About Us">{{cite web |url=http://www.jonesinstitute.org/ivf-jones.html |title=Jones Institute – About Us |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629170027/http://www.jonesinstitute.org/ivf-jones.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref>

The international headquarters of [[Operation Smile]], a nonprofit organization that specializes in repairing facial deformities in underprivileged children from around the globe, is located in the city.<ref name="Operation Smile">{{cite web |url=http://www.operationsmile.org/contactus/ |title=Operation Smile |access-date=August 6, 2007 |publisher=Operation Smile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707124755/http://www.operationsmile.org/contactus/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=July 7, 2007}}</ref>

[[Physicians for Peace]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://physiciansforpeace.org/ |title=Physicians for Peace website |publisher=Physiciansforpeace.org |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> a non-profit that focuses on providing training and education to medical professionals in the developing world, is based in Norfolk.

==Notable people==
{{See also|List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia}}
{{div col}}
* [[Dennis Anderson]], professional [[monster truck]] driver, creator, team owner and former driver of "[[Grave Digger (monster truck)|Grave Digger]]" on the [[United States Hot Rod Association|USHRA]] [[Monster Jam]] circuit
* [[Jimmy Archey]], jazz trombonist 1920s–1960s
* [[Ella Josephine Baker]], black American civil rights and human rights activist
* [[Steve Bannon]], former executive chair of [[Breitbart News]] and former [[White House Chief Strategist]] under U.S. president [[Donald Trump]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/government/local/article_aecebf1d-9fa1-589a-8c85-b315c05bc6de.html|title=I assumed he was a Democrat: A look at Steve Bannon's journey from Norfolk to Washington|last=Pierceall|first=Kimberly|date=December 3, 2016|website=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Michael Basnight]], NFL player
* [[Zinn Beck]], [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] infielder, managed [[Norfolk Tars]] in 1928
* [[David S. Bill III]], [[U.S. Navy]] rear admiral
* [[Aline Elizabeth Black]], black American educator
* [[Peter Blair (wrestler)|Peter Blair]], Olympic [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle wrestler]], two-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA wrestling]] champion, member of the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]]
* [[Gary U.S. Bonds]], [[rhythm & blues]] singer
* [[Martha Haines Butt]] (1833–1871), author, suffragist
* [[Elizabeth Jordan Carr]], the first baby in the United States conceived by [[in vitro fertilization]], born at [[Sentara Norfolk General Hospital]] in 1981
* [[William Harvey Carney]], soldier, [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Kam Chancellor]],  NFL safety for the [[Seattle Seahawks]], [[Super Bowl]] champion and four-time [[Pro Bowl]] selection
* [[Clarence Clemons]], saxophonist with [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s [[E Street Band]] 
* [[Matt Coleman III]], college basketball player for [[Texas Longhorns men's basketball|Texas Longhorns]], NBA player, player for [[Hapoel Haifa]] of the [[Israeli Basketball Premier League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/757teamz/vp-sp-matt-coleman-nba-draft-20210728-kvinzubymvf4ljepj24gbxzdwu-story.html|title=Norfolk's Matt Coleman III has put in the work, Now he's waiting to hear his name during the NBA Draft|last=Rubama|first=Larry|date=July 28, 2021|website=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Michael Cuddyer]], professional baseball player
* [[James Joseph Dresnok]], American soldier who defected to North Korea after the Korean War
* [[Rob Estes]], actor
* [[Samuel Face]], inventor
* [[Hap Farber]], NFL player
* [[Ryan Farish]], musician, electronic producer
* [[Florian-Ayala Fauna]], artist, musician<ref name="Downing 2019">{{cite web |last=Downing |first=Andy |title=Dark electronic duo uncertain can still see the light |url=https://www.columbusalive.com/entertainment/20191227/dark-electronic-duo-uncertain-can-still-see-light |work=[[Columbus Alive]] |publisher=[[Gannett|Gannett Co., Inc.]] 
|date=27 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref>
* [[Joseph T. Fitzpatrick]], Virginia state senator
* [[Stephen Furst]], actor
* [[Allan Glaser]], film producer
* [[Grant Gustin]], actor, ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'', [[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]
*[[Blanche Hecht Consolvo Cariaggi]], singer, Italian countess
* [[Allan C. Hill]], founder of the Great American Circus
* [[A. Byron Holderby Jr.]], Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Navy
* [[Jalyn Holmes]], defensive tackle for the [[Washington Commanders]]
* [[Louis Isaac Jaffe]] (1888{{ndash}}1950), editorial page editor of the ''[[Virginian-Pilot]]'', [[Pulitzer Prize]] winner
* [[Knucks James]], second baseman in [[Negro league baseball]]
* [[Hester C. Jeffrey]], suffragette
* [[Chris Jones (center)|Chris Jones]], football player
* [[Louisa Venable Kyle]], writer
* [[Mary Lawson (baseball)|Mary Lawson]], All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
* [[Jake E. Lee]], rock guitarist
* [[Elaine Luria]], member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Virginia]]'s [[Virginia's 2nd congressional district|2nd district]], and former [[United States Navy]] [[Commander (United States)|Commander]]
* [[David McCormack (basketball)|David McCormack]], professional basketball player, NCAA champion with the [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas Jayhawks]] 
* [[Matt Maeson]], musician
* [[Alex Marshall (journalist)|Alex Marshall]], journalist and author
* [[Robert E. Martinez]], 8th [[Virginia Secretary of Transportation]]
* [[Samuel Mason]], Revolutionary War soldier and American [[outlaw]]
* [[James Michael McAdoo]], basketball player at [[University of North Carolina]] 
* [[John Mullan (road builder)|John Mullan]], Army officer and builder of [[Mullan Road]]
* [[Lenda Murray]], IFBB professional bodybuilder
* [[Thurop Van Orman]], film director
* [[Barton Myers]], architect
* [[Steven Newsome]], arts and museum administrator<ref name=Trescott>{{cite news |last=Trescott |first=Jacqueline |title=Director for Anacostia Museum; Smithsonian Names Steven Newsome |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1165093.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518230106/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1165093.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2012 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 21, 1990}}</ref>
* [[Wayne Newton]], singer and actor who resides in [[Las Vegas]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/10/19/this-is-the-only-wayne-newton-story-you-need-to-read/|title=This is the only Wayne Newton story you need to hear|last=Argetsinger|first=Amy|date=October 19, 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Norfolk Four]], four US Navy men stationed at Norfolk in 1997: Danial Williams, Joseph J. Dick, Eric Wilson, and Derek Tice, and who were [[wrongful conviction|wrongfully convicted]] in 1999 and 2000 in a rape/murder case based on [[false confession]]s and sentenced to life. They were released from prison in 2009 under a conditional pardon. The last convictions were overturned in 2016, and they were granted full pardons in 2017 by Governor [[Terry McAuliffe]]. In December 2018 they received a settlement from the city and state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/norfolk-four-pardoned-20-years-after-false-confessions/|title=Norfolk Four Pardoned 20 Years After False Confessions|last=Boghani|first=Priyanka|website=PBS.org|date=March 22, 2017|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2017/03/21/norfolk-4-wrongly-convicted-of-rape-and-murder-pardoned-by-gov-mcauliffe/|title=Norfolk 4, Wrongly convicted of rape and murder, Pardoned by Gov. McAuliffe|last=Jackman|first=Tom|date=March 21, 2017|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 20, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Nottz]], musician, hip-hop producer
* [[Richard G. L. Paige]], one of the first African-Americans delegates in Virginia
* [[John Parker (abolitionist)|John Parker]], Abolitionist and inventor
* [[Barbara Perry (actress)|Barbara Perry]], actress
* [[Hughie Prince]], film composer and songwriter
* [[Ray Platte]], [[NASCAR]] driver
* [[Emmy Raver-Lampman]], actress and singer
* [[Leah Ray]], singer and actress
* [[Tim Reid]], actor, ''[[WKRP in Cincinnati]]''
* [[Joseph Jenkins Roberts]], first president of [[Liberia]]
* [[Larry Sabato]], American political scientist
* [[Ed Schultz]], American television and radio personality
* [[Rhea Seehorn]], actress, ''[[Better Call Saul]]''
* [[Deborah Shelton]], actress, [[Miss Virginia USA]] 1970, [[Miss USA 1970]]
* [[Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps General]], [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]], 1952–1955 
* [[John Wesley Shipp]], actor, ''[[The Flash (1990 TV series)|The Flash]]''
* [[Gray Simons]], Olympic [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle wrestler]], four-time [[NAIA Men's Wrestling Championship|NAIA]] and three-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA wrestling]] champion, member of the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]]
* [[Bruce Smith (defensive end)|Bruce Smith]], NFL defensive end, 8x first team [[All-Pro]] and 11x [[Pro Bowl]] selection, member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
* [[Jane Stuart Smith]], operatic soprano, hymnologist, and author
* [[Keely Smith]], singer and recording artist
* [[Joe Smith (basketball)|Joe Smith]], former NBA basketball player<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithjo02.html|title=Joe Smith|publisher=Basketball-Reference.Com|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Joseph Stika]], [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] vice admiral
* [[Margaret Sullavan]], Oscar-nominated actress
* [[Timbaland]], musician, hip-hop producer
* [[Doris Eaton Travis]], dancer and actress
* [[Scott Travis]], drummer for rock bands [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Fight (band)|Fight]] and [[Thin Lizzy]]
* [[Justin Upton]], MLB outfielder for [[Detroit Tigers]]
* [[Melvin Upton, Jr]], MLB outfielder for [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
* [[Gene Vincent]], member of [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
* [[Benjamin Watson]], [[American football]] [[tight end]]
* [[Joe Weatherly]], former [[NASCAR]] driver
* [[Pernell Whitaker]], boxer, 1984 Olympic gold medalist and [[list of boxing quadruple champions|four-weight world champion]]
* [[Thomas Wilkins (conductor)|Thomas Wilkins]], symphony conductor
* [[Patrick Wilson]], Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor
* [[Harold Wren]] (1921–2016), dean of three law schools
* [[David Wright (baseball)|David Wright]], MLB third baseman for [[New York Mets]], 7x [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/norfolk-tides/article_41dd4368-bb07-11e9-b9b8-7faf4e984e31.html|title=David Wright receives special honor in return home|last=Hall|first=David|date=August 9, 2019|website=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|access-date=August 9, 2019}}</ref>
*[[Murder of Amore Wiggins|Amore Wiggins]] (2006–{{circa}}2011), murder victim
*[[Mark Williams (basketball)|Mark Williams]], NBA player for [[Charlotte Hornets]] played college basketball for [[Duke University]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.13newsnow.com/article/sports/norfolk-academy-alum-mark-williams-picked-15th-in-nba-draft/291-fe5d6f14-7acf-498e-9111-90bbc640026e|title=Norfolk Academy alum Mark Williams picked 15th in NBA Draft|last=Rhiel|first=Connor|date=June 23, 2022|website=13newsnow.com|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Jane T. Worthington]] (1821–1847), American essayist and poet 
{{div col end}}

==Sister cities==
Current sister cities:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sister Cities |url=https://www.norfolksistercities.org/sister-cities/ |website=norfolksistercities.org |publisher=Norfolk Sister City Association |access-date=2020-12-09}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Kitakyushu]], Japan (1963)
*[[Wilhelmshaven]], Germany (1976)
*[[Norfolk]], England, United Kingdom (1986)
*[[Toulon]], France (1989)
*[[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], Canada (2006)
*[[Cagayan de Oro]], Philippines (2008)
*[[Tema]], Ghana (2010)
*[[Kochi]], India (2010)
{{div col end}}

Former sister cities:
*[[Kaliningrad]], Russia (1992–2022)<ref>{{cite web |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Norfolk City Council votes to suspend ties with Russian sister city |url=https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/norfolk-city-council-votes-to-suspend-ties-with-russian-sister-city/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=WAVY |publisher=Nextstar Media, Inc. |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409131301/https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/norfolk-city-council-votes-to-suspend-ties-with-russian-sister-city/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Wilhelmshaven is Germany's largest military harbor and naval base, and Toulon is France's largest military harbor.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

==See also==
* [[Hunter House Victorian Museum]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Norfolk]]
* [[List of U.S. cities with large Black populations]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Norfolk, Virginia]]
* [[Norfolk Anti-Inoculation Riot of 1768]]
* [[Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau]]
* [[Norfolk Police Department]]
* [[Norvella Heights, Norview, Norfolk, Virginia|Norvella Heights]]
* [[USS Norfolk|USS ''Norfolk'']], 5 ships

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Norfolk, Virginia|voy=Norfolk (Virginia)}}
* [http://www.norfolk.gov/ Official website]
* [http://www.visitnorfolktoday.com/ Norfolk Convention and Visitor's Bureau]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170921060545/http://norfolkhistorical.org/ Norfolk Historical Society]

{{Adjacent communities
|Centre=City of Norfolk
|North=[[Chesapeake Bay]]
|East=[[Virginia Beach, Virginia|City of Virginia Beach]]
|Southeast=
|South=[[Chesapeake, Virginia|City of Chesapeake]]
|Southwest=
|West=[[Portsmouth, Virginia|City of Portsmouth]]
|Northwest=[[Hampton, Virginia|City of Hampton]]
}}
{{Norfolk, Virginia}}
{{Hampton Roads}}
{{Virginia}}
{{Battle of Hampton Roads|state=autocollapse}}
{{Northeast Megalopolis}}
{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}
{{All-American City Award Hall of Fame|state=collapsed}}
{{USPopulousCities}}
{{portal bar|Geography|North America|United States|Virginia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Norfolk, Virginia| ]]
[[Category:1682 establishments in the Colony of Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1682]]
[[Category:Populated places in Hampton Roads]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the United States Atlantic coast]]
[[Category:Cities in Virginia]]
[[Category:Virginia counties on the Chesapeake Bay]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Virginia]]