Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Virginia Beach, Virginia
State Virginia
City Virginia Beach
County1 Virginia Beach City
City Population (2005)2 430,856 5.9% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 39 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 39 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Richmond
State Population (2005)2 7,332,608
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Meyera Oberndorf
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.vbgov.com/city_hall/bios/0,1115,1990,00.html
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 757-385-4581
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Wednesday, May 7, 2008
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Tim Kaine
State/Governor Website http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal2/
State/Governor Contact Information 804-786-2211
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 2010
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.13    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 11.6%    
     Disability Status 10.4% 3  
     Emphysema 1.07% 13  
     Cardiovascular Disease 22.34% 13  
     Diabetes 4.66% 13  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.48% 13  
     Adult Asthma 7.46% 17  
     Adult Obesity 20.0%   23
     People Without Health Insurance 13.9%   24
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.5% 37  
     Age: 65 years and over 8.9% 13  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 14.0% 11  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 7.3% 72  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 31.6% 56  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 4.9% 6  
     Individuals Below Poverty 7.7% 2  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 8.6% 1  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 24.3% 6  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 11.6% 24  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.4    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 38.4 (of 51) 55  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 73,109,676 pounds   36
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 205,351,347 pounds 46
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 90,307,608 pounds 48
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 782,148,615 pounds 41
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 808,923,197 pounds 40
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 111.0 grams 42
Number of Superfund Sites in County 1 site 16  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.136 tons per person 35
Recycling Rate (1997) 35.0% 11
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 8,873,022 tons 39
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 2,545,135 tons 15
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 28.7% 17
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 12.6% 12
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 5.6% 17
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -18.0% 30
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    1.9***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 230,800 tons   32
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 78,400 tons   24
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 39,707,800 tons   23
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 1,480.0 pounds   25
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.7 PM2.5 21  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 12.6 PM2.5 35  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 1.0 PM2.5 27  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 12.5 PM2.5 32  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.016 ppm 21  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 17 ug/m3 2  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.004 ppm 27  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 4 days 10  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    3.2***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lynnhaven-Poquoson ---  
# of Units in Watershed (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Assessed Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened (Not Available) 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed (Not Available) 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 44.64 inches 14  
Water Area Total, square miles 2,729 square miles 30  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,000 square miles 37  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 1,728 square miles 5  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Norfolk ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 50 years 45  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 116 days 24  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Norfolk ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 48 years 50  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 7.7 inches 39  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 8,260,000,000 gallons/day 36  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 826,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Ground water, gallons/day 358,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Surface water, gallons/day 7,900,000,000 gallons/day 33  
Irrigation, gallons/day 30,000,000 gallons/day 56  
Public Supply, gallons/day 911,000,000 gallons/day 28  
Industrial, gallons/day 622,000,000 gallons/day 31  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 6,620,000,000 gallons/day 26  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 218,000,000 gallons/day 60  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Virginia Beach ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 361,024 people 49  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water (Not Available) ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 1,712.7 people per square mile 61  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 653.6 housing units per square mile 65  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 23.9 minutes 42  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 22.4 minutes 40  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 10.8% 62  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 0.7% 69  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 2.3% 55  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.8% 34  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 106.9 48  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 86.5 MV registrations   31
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 75.0%   44
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 55.2 MV registrations   46
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.26 MV registrations   36
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 71,242 miles   24
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.409%   27
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 29.5%   15
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   12
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 11.23 miles   12
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $3,419,000,000   42
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $47,991 per mile   41
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 62.39%   34
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 14.0 hours per person 11  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $239 per person 11  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $367,000,000 25  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 9 gallons per person 12  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $55,781 4  
Median Household Income (2000) $48,705 4  
Per capita income (2004) $27,042 14  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $22,365 23  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 6.0% 4  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 6.5% 2  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 7.7% 2  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 1.6% 1  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 8.6% 1  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 10,523 people 16  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 3.2% 2  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.9% 6  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 2.6% 2  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 4.1% 3  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 19.0% 35  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 16.3% 32  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 85,623 kids (1.2% of total pop.) 34  
Largest School District Enrollment 76,586 kids (1.0% of total pop.) 24  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 24.3% 6  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 68.4% 14  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 92.7% 1  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 33.5% 24  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 14% 11  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 162,934 units 39  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 33.1% 71  
Cost of Living: Housing 122.4 49  
Cost of Living: Utilities 131.5 64  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 95.4 7  
Cost of Living: Overall 109.6 43  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 61.50%   29
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 34.90%   34
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 58.40%   51
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 28.8%   31
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,268.9 incidents per 100,000 people 5  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 226.4 incidents per 100,000 people 4  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,042.5 incidents per 100,000 people 6  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 3,533.0 incidents per 100,000 people 7  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.8 parks per square mile 24  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 16.1 park acres per city square mile 38  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 26.5 acres 10  
Parkland as % of City Area 7.1% 28  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $121 per resident 36  
Total City Tree Canopy % 12% 26  
Total City Urbanized Area % 25.8% 2  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.48% 13
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.46% 17
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.98% 15
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.07% 13
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 22.34% 13
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.66% 13  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.0% 23
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 9.9% 38
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 10.0% 16
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.4% 30
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 199.1 29
Cost of Living: Health 92.7 10  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 13.6% 23
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 13.9% 24
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 2.2% 34
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.3% 35
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 7 farms 44
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 6 markets 43
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 4 grocery stores 11
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 1 other source 45
Cost of Living: Food 98.3 19
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 78.2% 41
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 50.5% 63
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.7***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 10 kW   34
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 500 kW   4
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 6.0%   22
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 47 years 32
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 58% 29
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.6 mph 11
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 11.5 mph 10
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.9 mph 16
Heating Degree Days 3,495 days 20
Cooling Degree Days 1,422 days 41
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 50 years 9
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 78% 20
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 57% 28
Elevation, feet 10 feet 5
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 430,856 39 (of 72 in EDN study) 5.9% of state population
City Population (2000) 425,257 38 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 7,332,608 12 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 3 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 248.0 square miles 19 0.6% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 39,598 square miles 37  
Watershed Name Lynnhaven-Poquoson ---  
Elevation, feet 10 ft. (3.0 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 41.0°F (5.0°C) 29
Average Daily Temperature - July 79.0°F (26.1°C) 44  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.3 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 72.7% 49  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 8.9% 60  
Under 5 years of age 32,350 kids (7.5% of total pop.) 38  
One Race-White % (2005) 70.2% 23  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 29.8% 50  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 4.8% 55  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 11.6% 48  
Largest School District Name Virginia Beach City Public Schools ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network