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Largest cities in Virginia, 2010 to 2025

Virginia Beach: 453,737 residents in 2025, ahead of Chesapeake (255,332). Compare Virginia city-limit populations since 2010.

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What the data shows

  • In 2025, Virginia Beach ranks #1 with 454K, ahead of Chesapeake (255K) and Richmond (237K).
  • Virginia Beach holds #1 for the whole period, 2010 to 2025.
  • Biggest climber: Suffolk, from #10 in 2010 to #8 in 2025.

About this chart

Virginia Beach leads Virginia with 453,737 residents in 2025, ahead of Chesapeake by 198,405. Chesapeake has 255,332 people, while Richmond ranks third with 237,257. The ranking uses incorporated-place populations rather than metropolitan areas. Virginia Beach had 438,864 residents in 2010, so its city-limit count grew by 3.4% over the displayed period. Virginia Beach was the largest of these places at the start of the series.

The annual Census estimates describe July 1 populations within the boundaries of each incorporated place in Virginia. The series joins Vintage 2020 estimates for 2010–2019 with Vintage 2025 estimates from 2020 onward. Boundary changes and revisions can affect the trend. Unincorporated communities and census-designated places are excluded, and the ranking does not measure the population of the wider urban or commuting region. Every place that entered the annual top ten remains in the chart.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons.

Largest cities in Virginia, City-limit population, 2010 to 2025, 2010–2025
DateVirginia BeachNorfolkChesapeakeRichmondNewport NewsAlexandriaHamptonRoanokePortsmouthSuffolk
2010439K243K224K204K181K141K137K96.7K95.5K84.9K
2011443K244K225K206K180K144K137K96.8K95.8K84.8K
2012445K246K228K211K180K147K137K98K96.5K85.3K
2013448K246K230K214K181K150K137K98.9K96.1K85.8K
2014449K247K233K217K182K152K138K99.5K95.9K87K
2015451K247K235K221K181K154K136K99.7K96.4K88.2K
2016452K246K238K226K180K157K136K99.4K95.3K89.4K
2017450K245K240K228K180K159K135K99K95K90.2K
2018450K244K243K230K179K158K135K99K94.9K91.1K
2019451K244K245K231K180K159K135K99.2K94.6K92.3K
2020460K238K250K227K186K159K137K99.9K98K94.8K
2021459K235K252K227K185K155K138K98.8K97.8K96.4K
2022455K233K252K229K184K155K138K97.9K97.1K98.6K
2023453K233K254K231K183K156K137K97.7K97K101K
2024454K231K255K235K183K159K137K98.7K96.8K103K
2025454K231K255K237K183K161K137K99.1K96.8K105K

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Frequently asked questions

What is the largest city in Virginia?

In 2025, Virginia Beach ranks #1 with 454K, followed by Chesapeake (255K) and Richmond (237K). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people.

What is the largest city in Virginia?

Virginia Beach is the largest incorporated place in Virginia, with 453,737 residents in the Census July 1, 2025 estimates. Chesapeake follows with 255,332.

How has the population of Virginia Beach changed?

Its city-limit population moved from 438,864 in 2010 to 453,737 in 2025, a 3.4% increase. Boundary changes and Census revisions can contribute to differences.

Does this ranking include metro areas?

No. It compares incorporated places within Virginia, not metropolitan areas. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are excluded.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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