City of Virginia Beach, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Virginia Beach is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 453,737, down 1.2% since 2020. It covers about 245 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1906 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 453,737 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 459,626 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -1.3% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 3 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Virginia Beach 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 1906.[2] The name comes from Virginia.[2]
Population of Virginia Beach
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Virginia Beach at 453,737 in July 2025, down 1.2% from the April 2020 base of 459,417.[1] That made it 3rd of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 104th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 26,436 births and 20,119 deaths, a natural increase of 6,317.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -18,093. Moves from abroad added 5,713.[1]
Geography
The City of Virginia Beach covers 244.7 square miles of land and 252.8 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 80th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,854 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 36.78° N, 76.03° W.[3]
The city borders the City of Chesapeake, the City of Hampton, the City of Norfolk and Northampton County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 31 named streams, 2 named summits, 24 lakes and reservoirs and 19 islands in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Virginia Beach in a county?
No. Virginia Beach is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Virginia Beach?
About 453,737 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Virginia Beach?
About 245 square miles of land, plus 252.8 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, Virginia Beach 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: virginiabeach.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.