VIRGINIA

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Norfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611

Richmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625

Virginia Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641

The State in Brief

Nickname: Old Dominion Motto: Sic semper tyrannis (Thus always to tyrants)

Flower: Dogwood

Bird: Cardinal

Area: 42,774 square miles (2000; U.S. Rank: 35th)

Elevation: Ranges from sea level to 5,729 feet above sea level

Climate: Mild, cooler in mountains; rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year

Admitted to Union: June 25, 1788

Capital: Richmond

Head Official: Governor Mark Warner (D) (until 2006)

Population

1980: 5,347,000

1990: 6,187,358

2000: 7,078,515

2004 estimate: 7,459,827

Percent change, 1990–2000: 14.4%

U.S. rank in 2004: 12th

Percent of residents born in state: 57.1% (2000)

Density: 178.8 people per square mile (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 229,039

Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)

White: 5,120,110

Black or African American: 1,390,293

American Indian and Alaska Native: 21,172

Asian: 261,025

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 3,946

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 329,540

Other: 138,900

Age Characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 461,982

Population 5 to 19 years old: 1,475,104

Percent of population 65 years and over: 11.2%

Median age: 35.7 years (2000)

Vital Statistics

Total number of births (2003): 101,303

Total number of deaths (2003): 58,264 (infant deaths, 758)

AIDS cases reported through 2003: 7,735

Economy

Major industries: Tobacco, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, tourism, services, government, electrical equipment, food, textiles, paper products

Unemployment rate: 3.3% (December 2004)

Per capita personal income: $33,651 (2003; U.S. rank: 10th)

Median household income: $52,587 (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Percentage of persons below poverty level: 9.3% (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Income tax rate: Ranges from 2.0% to 5.75%

Sales tax rate: 4.5%