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Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, officially the City of Virginia Beach, is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of Virginia, United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban, it is the most populous city in Virginia, the fifth-most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 42nd-most populous city in the U.S. Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a principal city in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area which has more than 1.8 million inhabitants and is the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S.

Virginia Beach is a resort city with miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its oceanfront. Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the first landing of the English colonists who eventually settled in Jamestown; modern Virginia Beach was established in 1906. It is home to several state parks, protected beaches, and military bases. Virginia Wesleyan University, Regent University, Christian Broadcasting Network, the U.S. headquarters of Stihl, and the Association for Research and Enlightenment are based in Virginia Beach. It also hosts the annual East Coast Surfing Championships and Neptune Festival.

The city is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which was the world's longest bridge-tunnel complex until the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened in 2018.

Virginia Beach is located at 36.8506°N 75.9779°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 497 square miles (1,290 km²), of which 249 square miles (640 km²) is land and 248 square miles (640 km²) (49.9%) is water. It is the largest city in Virginia by total area and the third-largest city by land area. The average elevation is 12 feet (3.7 m) above sea level. A major portion of the city drains to the Chesapeake Bay by way of the Lynnhaven River and its tributaries.

The city is located at the southeastern corner of Virginia in the Hampton Roads area, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area (officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA) is the 37th largest in the United States, with a total population of 1,707,639. The area includes the Virginia cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, and the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Surry, and York, as well as the North Carolina county of Currituck. While Virginia Beach is the most populated city within the MSA, it actually currently functions more as a suburb. The city of Norfolk is recognized as the central business district, while the Virginia Beach oceanside resort district and Williamsburg are primarily centers of tourism.

Additionally, Virginia Beach is 19 miles (31 km) east of Norfolk, 24 miles (39 km) northeast of Chesapeake, {{208 Miles south southeast of Washington DC 107 miles (172 km) southeast of Richmond, the state capitol, and 200 miles (320 km) northeast of Raleigh, North Carolina

Health and wellness are paramount in Virginia Beach, evident in the numerous facilities and initiatives supporting residents' overall well-being. Virginia Beach's commitment to health is further underscored by the presence of reputable medical institutions like Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Achieve your fitness goals at Gold's Gym in Virginia Beach. Access state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness classes, and personalized training programs. Experience holistic wellness at ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers. Discover fitness programs, group classes, and spa services designed for total well-being. Elevate your fitness journey at Onelife Fitness. Access premium gym facilities, personal training, and group exercise classes for all fitness levels. Join American Family Fitness for a comprehensive fitness experience. Enjoy gym amenities, fitness classes, and wellness programs tailored to your needs. Relax and rejuvenate with Massage Envy's professional massage services. Choose from a variety of massage techniques and wellness enhancements at multiple locations in Virginia.

Top sites in Virginia Beach, VA are Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and Military Aviation Museum.

Population: 454,808 (2024). ZIP codes: 23450-23467, 23471, 23479. Area codes: 757, 948. Elevation: 10 ft (3 m). Area: 497.50 sq mi (1,288.52 km²).

FAQs

Why is Virginia Beach, VA so popular?

Also known for its flourishing local dining scene, arts and entertainment, maritime history, and family-friendly attractions, Virginia Beach features unique districts that offer experiences for everyone to enjoy. Unsurprisingly, the Oceanfront and 3-mile boardwalk are the center of the action in Virginia Beach. Stretching across 40 city blocks, the boardwalk is packed with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment with beautiful ocean views.

Is Virginia Beach, VA expensive?

Virginia Beach is ranked 68 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. The cost of living in Virginia Beach is 104.1% of the national average. Get an estimate of the income required to live comfortably in Virginia Beach.

What is the history of Virginia Beach, VA?

The Chesepian were the historic indigenous people of the area now known as Tidewater in Virginia at the time of the European encounter. Little is known about them but archeological evidence suggests they may have been related to the Carolina Algonquian, or Pamlico people. They would have spoken one of the Algonquian languages. These were common among the numerous tribes of the coastal area, who made up the loose Powhatan Confederacy, numbering in the tens of thousands in population. The Chesepian occupied an area now defined as the independent cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.

Sources

City of Virginia Beach

Wikipedia

Fly Homes

Virginia

Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital

Gold's Gym in Virginia Beach

ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers

Onelife Fitness

American Family Fitness

Massage Envy's

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Military Aviation Museum

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