City of Norfolk, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Norfolk is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 231,013, down 3.0% since 2020. It covers about 53 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1682 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 231,013 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 237,859 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -2.9% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 10 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Norfolk is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1682.[2] The name comes from Norfolk.[2]
Population of Norfolk
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Norfolk at 231,013 in July 2025, down 3.0% from the April 2020 base of 238,090.[1] That made it 10th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 119th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 15,807 births and 11,802 deaths, a natural increase of 4,005.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -16,310. Moves from abroad added 5,192.[1]
Geography
The City of Norfolk covers 53.3 square miles of land and 43.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 100th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 4,336 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 36.92° N, 76.24° W.[3]
The city borders the City of Chesapeake, the City of Hampton, Northampton County, the City of Portsmouth and the City of Virginia Beach.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 20 named streams, 4 lakes and reservoirs and 1 island in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Norfolk in a county?
No. Norfolk is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Norfolk?
About 231,013 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Norfolk?
About 53 square miles of land, plus 43.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Norfolk city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.norfolk.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.