Mayor: Meyera E. Oberndorf (to June 2004)

2000 census population (rank): 425,257 (38);

% change: 8.2;

Male: 210,524 (49.5%); Female: 214,733 (50.5%);

White: 303,681 (71.4%); Black: 80,593 (19.0%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 1,619 (0.4%); Asian: 20,869 (4.9%); Other race: 6,402 (1.5%); Two or more races: 11,677 (2.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 17,770 (4.2%);

2000 percent population 18 and over: 72.5%;

65 and over: 8.4%;

median age: 32.7.

Land area: 258.7 sq mi. (670 sq km);

Alt.: 12 ft.

Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 39.9° F; July, 78.4° F

Churches: Protestant, 235; Catholic, 13; Jewish, 5;

City-owned parks: 182 (1,748 ac.);

Radio stations: AM 13, FM 31;

Television stations: 8 commercial, 1 PBS, 1 cable

Civilian Labor Force (MSA) 2001: 758,6001;

Unemployed: 23,200, Percent: 3.1;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 1999: $24,9791

Chamber of Commerce: Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, 4512 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va., 23463

1. Norfolk–Virginia Beach–Newport News, Va.–N.C.