Virginia Beach

The City in Brief

Founded: 1906 (city formed by merger with Princess Anne County, 1963)

Head Official: Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf (since July 1988); City Manager James Spore (since November 1991)

City Population

1980: 262,000

1990: 393,089

2000: 425,257

2003 estimate: 439,467

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.2%

U.S. rank in 1980: 56th

U.S. rank in 1990: 37th (State rank: 1st)

U.S. rank in 2000: 38th (State rank: 1st)

Metropolitan Area Population

1980: 1,201,000

1990: 1,445,000

2000: 1,569,541

Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.8%

U.S. rank in 1980: 31st (MSA)

U.S. rank in 1990: 28th (MSA)

U.S. rank in 2000: 33rd (MSA)

Area: 248 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Sea level to 12 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 59.6° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 45.74 inches

Major Economic Sectors: services, wholesale and retail trade, government

Unemployment rate: 4.0% (December 2004)

Per Capita Personal Income: $22,365 (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 15,492

Major Colleges and Universities: Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, ODU/NSU Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan College, Tidewater Community College

Daily Newspaper: The Virginian-Pilot