The Virginian-Pilot ©
INTERACTIVE MAP: MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOMES
See how neighborhoods' incomes stack up against regional, state and national numbers. The figures are from the 2005-09 American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census. Darker areas indicate higher household incomes.
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When it comes to making money, South Hampton Roads has done pretty well over the past decade.
Median household income grew faster regionally than it did at the state or national levels, with all five cities posting growth of 30 percent or more, according to data from the 2005-09 American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
That, officials say, is partly because of the military's stabilizing presence. The region has been somewhat sheltered from economic troubles.
"It's really been a pretty fantastic thing to see incomes still growing here despite the recession," said Steve Harrison, research director for the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. "All the communities that make up Hampton Roads are doing well. You can't necessarily say that about other parts of the country."
Each city's numbers tell a story.
CHESAPEAKE
Median household income: $66,932
Change since 1999: 31.9 percent
What it means: Chesapeake has the highest median household income in the region.
"It's a reflection of the quality of life in Chesapeake - the quality of the schools, the amount of open space, shopping opportunities, a wide variety of residential neighborhoods," planning director Brent Nielson said.
The city has the lowest number of single-person households, and two-income families have helped boost its income numbers.
As the city's population boom of the past 30 years slows, Chesapeake officials are working on a new comprehensive plan. One goal, Nielson said, is to identify areas for future residential and business development. The city will need both to stay on top.
"From a planning perspective, we look at a balance," he said.
NORFOLK
Median household income: $41,739
Change since 1999: 31.19 percent
What it means: Norfolk still has the lowest median household income in South Hampton Roads. Low household income levels can affect, among other things, retailers' decisions to open stores in a city.
But Mayor Paul Fraim said the low numbers simply reflect the high percentage of single-person households in Norfolk. Per-capita income figures released this week show that personal income in Norfolk is higher than in Portsmouth.
Fraim did say, though, that he worries Norfolk - with nearly as many jobs as residents - isn't keeping its highest-paid workers in the city.
"Half the workforce lives outside the city," he said. "One of my concerns is how we connect Norfolk residents with these jobs."
PORTSMOUTH
Median household income: $44,410
Change since 1999: 31.62 percent
What it means: Over the past decade, Portsmouth was in the middle of the pack in income growth, and city officials say that's a sign of success.
"The issue for us is: Is the standard of living for our residents rising? The answer is yes," said Patrick Small, Portsmouth's economic development director.
"What's important to us is: Are more of our young people getting high school diplomas, are they pursuing higher education, are their income levels rising?
"The fact that the numbers are rising show the city is being successful in what it's trying to do."
SUFFOLK
Median household income: $63,657
Change since 1999: 54.83 percent
What it means: Over the past decade, Suffolk saw the state's biggest jump in median household income. The increase has been fueled by a population boom and an expansion of high-tech, distribution and medical jobs, particularly in North Suffolk.
"When we're getting an opportunity to present Suffolk to a new prospect, probably the first lead-in is our growth," said Kevin Hughes, the city's economic development director. "And we've really just started to scratch the surface on available land. We still have a lot of growing to do."
Officials have voiced concern about the closure of Joint Forces Command, but Hughes said the city's diverse job base would cushion any loss.
"We've seen a lot of new jobs come into the city across the board over a number of different industries," he said. "We're bringing in new and better jobs for the city."
VIRGINIA BEACH
Median household income: $63,370
Change since 1999: 30.11 percent
What it means: Virginia Beach is growing up. Despite a 30 percent growth in median household income, the city rated last among the five South Hampton Roads cities in its income growth rate over the past decade. That's because Virginia Beach isn't seeing the kind of population gains that Suffolk and Chesapeake have seen, city officials said.
The city is mostly developed now and has for years maintained household incomes higher than the state and regional median. With maturity comes stability.
An analysis of per-capita income figures by management and budget analyst Paul R. Harris this week revealed that the city still has the highest per-capita income. Over the past decade, though, only Hampton has seen less growth than the Beach, Harris noted.
Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com
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What about inflation?
Does this study adjust for inflation? If so, then I am glad to live in Hampton Roads. If not, then it means that incomes have actually stayed stagnant or gone down. As the cost of gas, food, health insurance, car insurance, and housing has gone up, this is not much of an improvement if this study does not take inflation into account. If anything it seems like it would be a decline.
ENJOY FOR NOW...
Because once DOD starts to make cuts (JFCOM in Suffolk is first salvo) these incomes will plummet like a rock.
Glad I left Norfok
for Williamsburg in 2006. Better services, lower taxes and much better quality of life!
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Personal attack, name calling
Apples vs oranges
2cents had the right idea. Median income is not the same as average income. One takes the upper and lower range of salaries/wages to calculate the average, while the other figures the number (per-capita) of workers in each range.
People use the same flawed argument when talking about the "average" wage of the military community, figuring the middle of the scale as average. The number of low-ranked service people is much greater than the number of high ranked officers.
Its household income not personal income
The report is median HOUSEHOLD income not average salaries. Household income often includes the income of two workers and the median simply divides equal halves. Thus in the numbers reported by location, half of the HOUSEHOLDS in a given area earn below or above that specific number. It requires a whole new calculation to determine average incomes as we would need to determine how many are dual income households vice single earners reside in an area. Do more singles live in VA Beach then Suffolk -- what is the percentage of dual income households in one area versus another? It is a snapshot in time and assuming the region doesn't have huge difference in percentage of dual income households then other regions, we did ok the past decade.
Sorry
The response is really slow today, thus the duplicate posting.
Apples vs oranges
2cents had the right idea. Median income is not the same as average income. One takes the upper and lower range of salaries/wages to calculate the average, while the other figures the number (per-capita) of workers in each range.
People use the same flawed argument when talking about the "average" wage of the military community, figuring the middle of the scale as average. The number of low-ranked service people is much greater than the number of high ranked officers.
Interesting timing...
Considering right now most cities are trying to approve budgets with increased taxes. Now the city (mis)managers and mayors can say, "look how much more money you're making!! We only want a small increased portion of that."
Dear Megan - VB may have the highest per capita income,
however, we also enjoy the highest (many inflated) home values & tax burden in Hampton Roads. Our housing stock averages 25+ years & that translates into major rehabilitation costs well beyond ordinary maintenance. Expensive components such as HVAC, siding, roofing, electrical, and a slew of annual maintenance requirements will erode a great deal of household income. Our 980+ neighborhoods need revitalization such as curb to curb repaving & are ignored despite the fact that the residential community serves as the primary economic engine in this City. Residents also provide 85% of the real estate tax base, the budget & massive debt ceiling. Perhaps you should do a story on each households ever dwindling savings & eroding disposable income.