Hampton, Virginia

Hampton is an independent city located in Virginia. It is on the southern end of the Virginia Peninsula, bordering on Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 146,437.

The current City of Hampton was formed from the incorporated town of Phoebus and Elizabeth City County, Virginia in 1952. It essentially incorporates the boundaries of Elizabeth City County which was created in 1643 from Elizabeth River Shire, one of the eight original shires of 1634 in colonial Virginia.

Geography

Hampton is located at 37°2'5" North, 76°21'36" West (37.034946, -76.360126)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 352.8 km² (136.2 mi²). 134.1 km² (51.8 mi²) of it is land and 218.7 km² (84.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 61.99% water.

Adjacent counties and cities

• York County, Virginia (north)
• Poquoson, Virginia (northeast)
• Norfolk, Virginia (south; border within the waters of Hampton Roads)
• Newport News, Virginia (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 146,437 people, 53,887 households, and 35,888 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,091.9/km² (2,828.0/mi²). There are 57,311 housing units at an average density of 427.3/km² (1,106.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 49.55% White, 44.68% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. 2.84% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 53,887 households out of which 32.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% are married couples living together, 16.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 3.02.

The age distribution is 24.2% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,532, and the median income for a family is $46,110. Males have a median income of $31,666 versus $24,578 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,774. 11.3% of the population and 8.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.9% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Hampton is served by two airports. The primary airport for the Hampton Roads area is Norfolk International Airport, on the opposite side of Hampton Roads in Norfolk. The region's secondary airport, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, is located on the Virginia Peninsula in Newport News.

Hampton is home to NASA's Langley Research Center, Langley Air Force Base, and Hampton University.