The history of Virginia Beach goes back to the Native Americans live in the area for thousands of years before the English colonists established their first permanent settlement in 1607. The Colonial Virginia period extended until 1776 and the American Revolution, and the area has been part of the Commonwealth of Virginia ever since. Except the 11 years it was a small independent city (1952-1963), the resort strip area which was the source of the current name of the entire city has been part of the same unit of local government since early Colonial times.
The growing resort of Virginia Beach was incorporated as a town in 1906. B.P. Holland was chosen to be the Town's first mayor. He had been a clerk of the original Princess Anne Hotel many years earlier, and had witnessed the wreck of the Dictator. During the next 45 years, Virginia Beach continues to grow in popularity as a seasonal vacation spot, and casinos gave way to amusement parks and family-oriented attractions.
Virginia Beach became a tiny independent city politically independent from Princess Anne County in 1952, although the numerous ties between Virginia Beach and Princess Anne remained. The change was seen as part of a larger reorganization of the boundaries and structures of almost all of the counties, cities and towns in southeastern Virginia which took place between 1952 and 1976.
In the mid 20th century, the northwestern borders of Princess Anne County lost territory to annexation suits by the City of Norfolk after annexing the entire northeastern portion of Norfolk County. A merger with the tiny city of Virginia Beach became seen by leaders and residents of Princess Anne County as a way to prevent the independent City of Norfolk from annexing more (or potentially all) of the county, since cities in Virginia cannot annex land from each other.
The city of Virginia Beach combines the elegance of a rich past with the energy of one of the most rapidly developing cities on the East Coast. Virginia Beach is part of a seven-city metropolitan area called Hampton Roads.
The city's location, temperate climate, quality labor force, economic stability, competitive taxes, and good transportation system have attracted a growing number of national and international firms who have relocated their corporate headquarters to the area. The city's economy is strengthened by a strong tourist and convention industry, four major military bases, stable real estate, construction, retail and wholesale trade, and distribution. History buff, entrepreneur, culture-lover, or nature enthusiast, Virginia Beach offers something for everyone.
The City in Brief
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Founded:
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1906 (city formed by merger with Princess Anne County, 1963)
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Head Official:
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Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf (since July 1988); City Manager James Spore (since November 1991)
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City Population
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1980:
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262,000
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1990:
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393,089
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2000:
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425,257
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2003 estimate:
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439,467
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Percent change, 1990-2000:
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8.2%
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U.S. rank in 1980:
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56th
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U.S. rank in 1990:
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37th (State rank: 1st)
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U.S. rank in 2000:
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38th (State rank: 1st)
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Metropolitan Area Population
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1980:
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1,201,000
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1990:
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1,445,000
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2000:
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1,569,541
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Percent change, 1990-2000:
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8.8%
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U.S. rank in 1980:
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31st (MSA)
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U.S. rank in 1990:
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28th (MSA)
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U.S. rank in 2000:
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33rd (MSA)
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Area:
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248 square miles (2000)
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Elevation:
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Sea level to 12 feet above sea level
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Average Annual Temperature:
Wikipedia information: History of Virginia Beach
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59.6
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