virginia independent city located state virginia census population population estimated suburban character populous city virginia 41st populous city nation located atlantic_ocean mouth chesapeake_bay included metropolitan area area known america region includes independent cities norfolk portsmouth suffolk smaller cities counties towns resort city miles beaches hundreds hotels restaurants year city hosts soccer championship beach soccer tournament home state parks long protected beach areas military bases number large corporations universities international headquarters site television broadcast studios numerous historic sites near point chesapeake_bay atlantic_ocean meet site landing english colonists eventually settled april city listed having longest pleasure beach world located southern end longest bridge tunnel complex world history historic indigenous people area known virginia time european encounter little known evidence suggests related people spoken languages common numerous tribes coastal area loose confederacy numbering tens thousands population occupied area defined independent cities norfolk portsmouth voyage days ships headed captain carrying men boys landfall new world mainland southern mouth chesapeake_bay meets atlantic_ocean named prince wales eldest son king james england english colonists moved area orders seek site inland sheltered ships competing european countries created permanent settlement north king norfolk england earliest settle area developed age contracted servant pay passage virginia colony hopes life earned freedom years leading citizen area elected sic subdivided areas established colony divided original virginia soon renamed counties credited home england helping following year split soon renamed resided named home england large organized defined atlantic_ocean west past encompassing entire area modern cities portsmouth norfolk attracted including family belonging london immigrated netherlands international trade settled land north virginia east developed norfolk following increased settlement divided form norfolk princess anne counties princess anne easternmost county extended mouth chesapeake_bay south border north_carolina colony included area atlantic_ocean princess known jurisdiction years early centuries area rural developed plantation agriculture late 19th century small resort area developed princess arrival rail service coast opened operated norfolk improvement company near tiny community hotel railroad reorganized hotel upgraded reopened princess anne hotel guests new hotel watched wreck rescue efforts norwegian bark dictator ship washed beach days later erected monument victims stood years 21st century inspired pair matching norwegian sculpted installed moss norway resort initially depended railroad electric service completion virginia beach boulevard extended norfolk opened route automobiles buses trucks passenger rail service eventually discontinued traffic increased vehicle growing resort incorporated town years continued grow popularity seasonal vacation spot replaced amusement parks family oriented attractions opened popular vacation spot gained status independent city ties remained princess voters jurisdictions passed supporting referendum approval political subdivisions consolidated new larger independent city retaining better known resort dome significant building city history constructed dedicated career resident astronaut area changed dome frequently hall building razed room municipal parking lot potential future development real estate defense tourism major sectors economy local public private groups maintained interest real estate redevelopment resulting number joint public private projects commercial parks examples public private development include town center city assisted financing project use tax financing creating special tax districts constructing associated street infrastructure support developments town center opened related construction continuing opened city begun run clear land available new construction north green line urban growth boundary dividing urban northern rural southern sections city development residential neighborhoods placed number operating constraints naval air station major fighter jet base enjoys wide support large commission proposed closure decade geography climate located according city total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water largest city virginia total area largest city land area average elevation feet sea level major portion city drains chesapeake_bay way tributaries city located southeastern corner virginia area bordering atlantic_ocean officially known 37th largest united_states total population area includes virginia cities norfolk portsmouth suffolk counties gloucester isle york north_carolina county populated city actually currently functions suburb city norfolk recognized central business district resort district primarily centers tourism neighborhoods modern city created consolidation square miles km2 princess square miles km2 city newly larger city divided seven princess anne distinctive communities neighborhoods boundaries including largest sub division completed london bridge princess anne red mill climate climate humid subtropical winters mild snowfall light summers hot humid official weather statistics recorded norfolk international airport extreme northwestern border mean annual temperature average annual snowfall inches airport inches southeastern corner bay average annual rainfall higher inches airport inches year bay seasons spring summer rainfall constant year round highest recorded temperature date july lowest recorded temperature january recorded norfolk international airport additionally geographic location city respect principal storm tracks especially favorable earned reputation vacation destination south average path storms originating higher latitudes north usual tracks hurricanes major tropical storms exception hurricane effects chesapeake_bay atlantic_ocean northernmost location east coast species plants reliably grow spanish moss example near northernmost limit natural range northerly location widespread plants like hardy citrus successfully grown colder winter temperatures north inland west demographics according racial composition follows white white black african american american indian asian filipino chinese indian vietnamese korean japanese native hawaiian pacific race races hispanic latino race puerto rican mexican dominican cuban source census people households families residing city population density people square mile housing units average density square mile racial makeup city white non hispanic white african american native american asian pacific races races population hispanic latino race households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size age distribution age years age older median age years females males females age males median income household city median income family 5th highest median family income large cities capita income city families population poverty line including age age city lower crime rate regional cities norfolk portsmouth exceed national average crime rates experienced murders giving city murder rate people murders murder rate people lower national average year city total crime index rate people lower national average according city crime rankings crime metropolitan america virginia ranks violent crime cities containing inhabitants city named city religion city population affiliated religious congregations compared nationwide figure adherents different religious congregations city catholic_church southern baptist convention charismatic churches independent economy best known tourism military sectors contribute city economy city economy contains large retail component places major companies headquartered include american headquarters major employers include ranked number forbes list best places business careers tourism produces large share economy estimated million spent tourism related industries jobs cater million visitors city benefit visitors provide million revenue opened large group meetings events hotels line cluster town center parts city restaurants entertainment industries directly benefit tourism large portion tourism market adventures companies offer tours land water seen inland tours available natural habitat conducts tours coast bird sightings season right offer school field trips overnight adventures surrounding regions focus education lessons stand popular area summer programs offer sighting tours large sector produces million city economy seventy farms exist southern portion city farmers able sell goods products city farmer market home bases include united_states navy training support center roads joint expeditionary base east located additionally located city carries norfolk address largest employer decreed close city houses areas designated accident potential zones action position united_states_navy navy recommended potential closure issue closure remains unresolved training support center roads considered largest respective kind world furthermore located nearby norfolk central hub united_states navy norfolk navy base culture city home points interest historical scientific visual performing arts areas popular tourist destination recent years features regularly changing exhibitions variety media exhibitions feature painting sculpture photography glass video visual media internationally acclaimed artists artists national regional renown born annual art began museum largest fundraiser operating national standard received popular near features containing sand tiger nurse brown sharks sting rays large open ocean sea turtle sea turtle laboratory hands ocean exploration exhibits octopus life size model whale features include salt marsh nature trail built features wide variety popular shows concerts ranging seat performing arts theatre opened town center november home sites historical importance sites national_register_of_historic_places sites include oldest surviving colonial homes virginia year old plantation nearby second tower established beds psychic kentucky claimed healing abilities known father new age movement 1960s resided died january followers active street facility features large private library books psychic matters open public traditional beach architecture headquarters building features therapy appointment opened closed years later opened originally intended study readings research spiritual subjects city largest festival neptune festival attracts visitors visitors air celebrating city heritage link norway events held september town center areas august provides festival attendees live music performed stages including beach fifth street festival ends sports norfolk contains central business district major spectator sports located area recently considered viable prospect major league professional sports regional leaders attempted obtain major_league_baseball nba franchises recent past team relocated area 3rd largest metropolitan area united_states club major professional sports league las_vegas austin metropolitan areas won franchise played virginia beach league collapse soccer teams men team premier development league women team play virginia beach contains central training site women national field hockey team city home annual contest world professional estimated amateur north_america oldest contest golf courses open public city country club military holes course best known public courses hell hosted virginia beach open event hosts annual tournament host year labor day weekend conjunction largest world final miles cities trying lure sacramento kings play parks recreation home city parks encompassing acres including neighborhood parks community parks district parks open spaces park unique offers wide open spaces picnic shelters clearly visible traveling park acres hill high long created layers solid waste clean soil highest point park features lakes lake lake stocked fish fish residents advantage park major park city acres park located facilities include large group shelters mini shelters family picnic tables pits courts machines walking trails baseball fields located end scenic walkway overlooking established acre km2 fresh water refuge borders atlantic_ocean east bay west barrier islands feature large sand dunes maritime forests fresh water marshes ponds ocean beach large managed located coastal areas city corporate limits offer camping facilities outdoor recreation activities addition nature history tours rural park located deep southern end city right owned maintained city park features shelters baseball fields boat ramp boat pits nets light hiking trails outdoor fully equipped electrical outlets available reservations weddings outside classroom activities events parking machines gardens available use boat ramps disc golf courses rented additionally famous miles packed fascinating entertainment outdoor concerts people concrete links hotels attractions bike path naval aviation monument park formally dedicated planned partnership park features heroic scale tell history acres hectares park undeveloped land shore located south bridge chesapeake_bay includes beds wetlands maritime forest location site planned development collapsed acquired help bay foundation largest undeveloped parcels land preserved future generations location provides hands educational programs students learn chesapeake_bay lastly course city abundant ample indoor recreational facilities include basketball courts weight fitness training rooms olympic sized swimming pools centers play host special programs children youth adults facility example offers classes types styles dance mention seasonal offerings young children senior citizens extensive park system recognized best united_states ranking reported 8th best park system populous cities ranks city park systems formula city median park size park acres percent city area percent city residents half mile park spending park services resident number residents government chartered municipal corporation january city currently operates council manager form government city fall jurisdiction county government state law functions independent city operates political subdivision state city legislative body consists member city council city manager appointed council acts chief executive officer staff policies established council members city council normally serve year terms elected basis non partisan elections beginning general elections held tuesday november numbered years previous years elections held tuesday numbered years registered voters eligible vote council members council members mayor serve large basis elected district live district represent beach princess anne rose hall mayor elected year term direct election mayor city council meetings serves ceremonial head spokesperson city vice mayor elected city council meeting following council election current mayor republican citizens elect constitutional officers candidates offices permitted run affiliated political party offices deal substantially public safety justice sheriff commonwealth attorney clerk circuit court offices concerned fiscal policy city treasurer commissioner revenue located virginia 2nd congressional district served representative republican education according population national average hold bachelor degree higher nationally high school diploma equivalent city home largest school systems state based student enrollment currently serves students includes elementary schools middle schools high schools include princess anne cox salem colonial high schools number secondary post secondary specialty schools centers provides excellent courses trying gain place technology field maintains rigorous math science academy houses health sciences academy courses medical genetic medicine salem high school houses preparing students jobs contains helps prepare students jobs engineering home courses forensic science intro law preparing students jobs law field recently founded world studies academy princess anne oldest high school city diploma programme school specialized courses offered occasionally overlap courses offered specialized centers mile away number private independent schools city including lady mount catholic school parish cape henry collegiate school bishop sullivan catholic high school home universities private university founded christian leader historically focused graduate education recently established undergraduate program associated organization offers degrees new age subjects thanks link old nearby norfolk operate satellite campuses major junior college largest campus located city private liberal arts college located border norfolk physical address school norfolk majority campus main campus located additional institutions higher education located communities greater provides free access accurate current information materials individuals promotes reading critical life skill library supports educational leisure needs citizens system area libraries central library virtual library public law library municipal reference library library collection items including special subject collections media based norfolk daily newspaper papers include inside business focuses local business news publishes newspaper norfolk area served variety radio stations towers located area served television stations norfolk portsmouth newport news designated market area 42nd largest homes total major network television cbs nbc abc fox station residents receive independent station broadcasting channel north_carolina receive pbs affiliate affiliate portsmouth religious television station affiliate broadcasting channel served popular alternative cable television addition large portion city served serves headquarters located adjacent notable program club originates studios home infrastructure transportation primarily served lid region major commercial airport airport located near chesapeake_bay city limits neighboring norfolk seven provide nonstop services destinations passengers land facility pounds cargo processed facilities provides commercial air service area provides general aviation services located miles outside city limits served amtrak norfolk stations connecting buses norfolk line runs southwest suffolk virginia turns northwest richmond points line runs west richmond downtown main street suburban stations points high speed rail connection richmond northeast corridor southeast high speed rail corridor study provides service central bus terminal adjacent norfolk station located road mile west bus services new_york_city bus today bus located road city connected runs intersects east norfolk continues downtown norfolk portsmouth rejoining terminus roads interstate completes loop forms travelers access direction norfolk use choice bridge tunnel facilities cross reach peninsula richmond points north major roads include route shore drive route connects atlantic avenue princess anne road state route state route parkway independence boulevard general parkway streets hotel entertainment district arranged fairly regular grid like pattern atlantic avenue parallel shoreline pacific avenue arctic avenue going inland city connected virginia region longest bridge tunnel complex world known seven engineering wonders facility carries transportation city rest served regional bus service extension tide light rail system norfolk currently studied study ranked largest cities utilities water sewer services provided receives electricity local sources including gas power plant coal fired plants norfolk headquartered subsidiary natural gas city storage plants receives water area grown faster local freshwater supply river water fresh longer available areas currently water area pumped virginia north_carolina border rivers pipeline miles long inches diameter follows right way abandoned portion railway capable pumping million gallons water day norfolk partners project city provides services residents transports regional treatment plants healthcare served virginia beach general hospital princess anne hospital modified stand treatment center known city line norfolk clinic offers basic medical services residents notable people actor known role aka hulk series rapper singer songwriter producer dancer semi finalist artist creative poet writer contestant survivor curtis bush olympic mayor florida nfl player composer themes npr shows professional governor virginia professional singer songwriter rapper nba player television preacher mlb player mlb player rapper singer record producer songwriter producer rapper singer record producer composer fashion designer mlb player actress best known roll rapper songwriter sister cities northern_ireland norway san juan del sur nicaragua popular culture honor game birthday held online vote order determine cities updated version monopoly edition game virginia received fourth highest number votes online contest earning green spot board spot went
Virginia Beach, Virginia