36°58′N 76°22′W / 36.967°N 76.367°W
Hampton Roads | |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area | |
 Satellite view of Hampton Roads with the Hampton Roads channel at center. (City urban centers visible, clockwise from top: Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth) | |
 Flag | |
.svg) Jurisdictions in the Hampton Roads MSA are colored in red. Jurisdictions in the CSA, but not the MSA, are colored in pink. | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia North Carolina |
| Independent cities | Hampton Roads MSA: - Virginia Beach - Norfolk - Chesapeake - Newport News - Hampton - Portsmouth - Suffolk - Williamsburg - Poquoson |
| Counties | Hampton Roads MSA: - James City County - York County - Isle of Wight County - Gloucester County - Mathews County - Surry County - Camden County, NC - Currituck County, NC - Gates County, NC Hampton Roads CSA: - Dare County, NC - Pasquotank County, NC |
| Settled | 1607 |
| Area | |
| 3,729.76 sq mi (9,660.0 km2) | |
| • Land | 2,889.16 sq mi (7,482.9 km2) |
| • Water | 840.6 sq mi (2,177 km2) |
| • Urban | 527 sq mi (1,360 km2) |
| Elevation | 0–144 ft (0–34 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| 1,799,674 | |
| • Density | 463.50/sq mi (178.96/km2) |
| • CSA | 1,890,162 |
| GDP | |
| • Metropolitan area | $116.686 billion (2022) |
| Time zone | EST |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT |
| Zip Codes | VA: 230xx, 231xx, 233xx, 234xx, 235xx, 236xx, 237xx ,238xx NC: 279xx |
| Area codes | 757, 804, 948, 252 |
Hampton Roads is the name of a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's Point near where the Chesapeake Bay flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It also gave its name to the surrounding metropolitan region located in the southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina portions of the Tidewater Region.
Comprising the Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NC, metropolitan area and an extended combined statistical area that includes the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, micropolitan statistical area and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, micropolitan statistical area, Hampton Roads is known for its large military presence, ice-free harbor, shipyards, coal piers, and miles of waterfront property and beaches, all of which contribute to the diversity and stability of the region's economy.
The body of water known as Hampton Roads is one of the world's largest natural harbors (more accurately a roadstead or "roads"). It incorporates the mouths of the Elizabeth, Nansemond, and James rivers, together with several smaller rivers, and empties into the Chesapeake Bay near its mouth leading to the Atlantic Ocean.[2][3]
The land area includes a collection of cities, counties, and towns on the Virginia Peninsula and in South Hampton Roads. Some of the outlying areas further from the harbor may or may not be included as part of "Hampton Roads", depending upon the organization or usage. For example, as defined for federal economic purposes, the Hampton Roads metropolitan statistical area (MSA) includes three counties in northeastern North Carolina and two counties in Virginia's Middle Peninsula. The Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NC, MSA has an estimated 2023 population of 1,787,169, making it the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.[4] The Combined Statistical Area includes two additional counties in North Carolina, pushing the regional population to 1,866,723 residents, the 35th-largest CSA in the country.[4]
The area is home to hundreds of historical sites and attractions. The harbor was the key to Hampton Roads' growth, both on land and in water-related activities and events. While the harbor and its tributaries were (and still are) important transportation conduits, at the same time they presented obstacles to land-based commerce and travel.
Creating and maintaining adequate infrastructure has long been a major challenge. The Hampton Roads Bridge–Tunnel (HRBT) and the Monitor–Merrimac Memorial Bridge–Tunnel (MMMBT) are major harbor crossings of the Hampton Roads Beltway interstate, which links the large population centers of Hampton Roads. In 2009, the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) was abolished by the Virginia General Assembly less than two years after its creation.[5] In 2014, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission was established to oversee the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund.
- ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC (MSA)". fred.stlouisfed.org.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed April 1, 2011
- ^ "Norfolk Development – Norfolk Development". Retrieved April 2, 2017.
- ^ a b "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1580 > 2009 session". lis.virginia.gov.