Virginia
“The Old Dominion”
What Makes Virginia Beautiful
Virginia is steeped in beauty and history, from Shenandoah Valley's misty blue ridges and Skyline Drive's mountain panoramas to the tidewater's colonial charm and Virginia Beach's Atlantic shores. The Natural Bridge towers as a limestone arch over Cedar Creek, while Chincoteague's wild ponies roam barrier island beaches.
Key Metrics
8.6M
Population
$668.5B
GDP
+5.5%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$87.2K
Median Income
9.3%
Tax Burden
History
Jamestown founded, the first permanent English settlement
Virginia Declaration of Rights inspires the Bill of Rights
Ratifies the Constitution as the 10th state
Lee surrenders at Appomattox Court House, ending the Civil War
Shenandoah National Park established along the Blue Ridge
Top Cities
Virginia Beach
460K
Largest city; resort destination; military presence
Norfolk
238K
World's largest naval station; port city
Chesapeake
250K
Great Dismal Swamp; suburban community
Richmond
230K
State capital; former Confederate capital; craft beer
Arlington
238K
Pentagon; Arlington National Cemetery; D.C. suburb
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$72.8B
State Budget
$70.5B
State Revenue
$-2.3B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
9.6%
Poverty Rate
40.5%
College Degree
6.5%
Uninsured
208/100K
Crime Rate
Where is Virginia Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $678B | $718B | $770B | $953B | $1360B |
| Baseline | $676B | $706B | $746B | $879B | $1155B |
| Pessimistic | $673B | $691B | $714B | $788B | $929B |
Political Landscape
D+2