Chesapeake is an independent city located in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 199,184, but as of 2004, the population estimates given by the U.S. Census Bureau was 214,725.

Chesapeake is one of the larger cities in Virginia and the nation in terms of land, a fact that poses challenges to city leaders in supporting a large infrastructure. The presence of many historically and geographically distinct communities also poses challenges to city leaders.

History

The city was created in 1963, when the former independent city of South Norfolk was consolidated with Norfolk County and reincorporated (approval from the Virginia General Assembly) as the new City of Chesapeake. The new name was selected through a voter referendum.

Chesapeake's history goes far back into Virginia's colonial roots. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through Chesapeake. On the waterway, at Great Bridge where the locks transition from the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River to the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal lies the site of the Battle of Great Bridge.

This American Revolutionary War battle was responsible for removing Lord Dunmore and any other vestige of English Government for the Colony of Virginia during the early days of the American Revolution on December 9, 1775.

The Dismal Swamp Canal runs through Chesapeake as well. The site of this canal was surveyed by George Washington, among others, and is known as "Washington's Ditch." It is the oldest continuously used man made canal in the United States today and has been in service for over 230 years. The canal begins in the Deep Creek section of the city branching off from the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. The canal runs through Chesapeake paralleling U.S. Highway 17 into North Carolina and connects to Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Until the late 1980s and early 1990s, much of Chesapeake was either suburban or rural, serving as a bedroom community of the adjacent cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach with residents commuting to these locations. Beginning in the late 1980s and accelerating in the 1990s, however, Chesapeake saw significant growth, attracting numerous and significant industries and businesses of its own. This explosive growth quickly led to strains on the municipal infrastructure, ranging from intrusion of saltwater into the city's water supply to congested roads and schools.

Geography

Chesapeake is located at 36°46'2" North, 76°17'14" West (36.767398, -76.287405) GR1 .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 908.8 km² (350.9 mi²). 882.5 km² (340.7 mi²) of it is land and 26.4 km² (10.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.90% water.

The northeastern part of the Great Dismal Swamp is located in Chesapeake.

Adjacent counties and cities Portsmouth, Virginia (north) Norfolk, Virginia (north) Virginia Beach, Virginia (east) Currituck County, North Carolina (south) Camden County, North Carolina (south) Suffolk, Virginia (west)

Demographics

As of the census GR2 of 2000, there are 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density is 225.7/km² (584.6/mi²). There are 72,672 housing units at an average density of 82.4/km² (213.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 66.87% White, 28.53% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 69,900 households out of which 41.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% are married couples living together, 14.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% are non-families. 18.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.79 and the average family size is 3.17.

The age distribution is: 28.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $50,743, and the median income for a family is $56,302. Males have a median income of $39,204 versus $26,391 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,949. 7.3% of the population and 6.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Along with the rest of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area (including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg and Poquoson, Virginia), Chesapeake is served by Norfolk International Airport.