Norfolk, VA Demographics

A map of Norfolk's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	96,188	97,205	41.2%	40.8%
Black	90,856	93,553	38.9%	39.3%
Hispanic	23,691	23,130	10.1%	9.7%
Multiracial	12,327	12,651	5.3%	5.3%
Asian	8,508	8,828	3.6%	3.7%
Native American/Other	2,026	2,638	0.9%	1.1%

Norfolk, Virginia has an estimated population of 233,596, a slight decrease from the 238,005 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 41.2% White, 38.9% Black, 10.1% Hispanic, 5.3% Multiracial, 3.6% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Norfolk, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Norfolk is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Norfolk, that probability was 66.5% in 2020 and 66.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Norfolk is ranked the 4th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Norfolk was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Norfolk's White Population

96,188 residents of Norfolk, or 41.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Norfolk is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Norfolk ranks 568th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's White population has declined by an estimated 1.0%. White residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 41.2%.

Norfolk is more White than neighboring Portsmouth (35.4% White), and Hampton (35.2% White). Norfolk is less White than neighboring Poquoson (87.3% White), Bethel Manor (45.4% White), and Chesapeake (53.8% White).

Norfolk's Black Population

90,856 residents of Norfolk, or 38.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Norfolk is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Norfolk ranks 70th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. Black residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 38.9%.

Norfolk is more Black than neighboring Poquoson (1.9% Black), Bethel Manor (25.8% Black), and Chesapeake (28.5% Black). Norfolk is less Black than neighboring Portsmouth (50.2% Black), and Hampton (48.1% Black).

Norfolk's Asian Population

8,508 residents of Norfolk, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Norfolk is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Norfolk ranks 152nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's Asian population has declined by an estimated 3.6%. Asian residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Norfolk is more Asian than neighboring Portsmouth (1.6% Asian), Hampton (2.2% Asian), Poquoson (1.7% Asian), and Bethel Manor (0.8% Asian). Norfolk is less Asian than neighboring Chesapeake (3.8% Asian).

Norfolk's Hispanic Population

23,691 residents of Norfolk, or 10.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Norfolk is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Norfolk ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.1%.

Norfolk is more Hispanic than neighboring Portsmouth (5.4% Hispanic), Hampton (6.9% Hispanic), Poquoson (4.2% Hispanic), and Chesapeake (7.7% Hispanic). Norfolk is less Hispanic than neighboring Bethel Manor (20.3% Hispanic).

Norfolk's Native American/Other Population

2,026 residents of Norfolk, or 0.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Norfolk is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Norfolk ranks 106th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 23.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Norfolk is more Native American/Other than neighboring Poquoson (0.7% Native American/Other), and Bethel Manor (0.6% Native American/Other). Norfolk is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hampton (1.2% Native American/Other).

Norfolk's Multiracial Population

12,327 residents of Norfolk, or 5.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Norfolk is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Norfolk ranks 171st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Norfolk's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 2.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Norfolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.3%.

Norfolk is more Multiracial than neighboring Poquoson (4.2% Multiracial). Norfolk is less Multiracial than neighboring Portsmouth (6.5% Multiracial), Hampton (6.3% Multiracial), Bethel Manor (7.2% Multiracial), and Chesapeake (5.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.