Although Norfolk is known in large part from its military history and fantastic cruise options, the city actually has a rich culture and tons of interesting facts. Cruise ships are a major industry in Norfolk, with a pier specifically for their use at the foot of the Nauticus downtown. These relaxing cruises, when combined with the proximity to the downtown culture and military attractions, make for a wonderful vacation that is always enjoyable.
Norfolk City Info:
- One of Virginia's largest incorporated cities.
- Land Area: 53.7 square miles
- City's major parks: Lafayette Park, Northside Park, Oceanview Beach Park & Barraud Park
- Number of radio stations: 5 AM; 10 FM
- Number of television stations: 2
Norfolk Weather and Climate:
- Average daily high/low temperature -- Jan: 47.8/32.3F; July: 86.8/71.4F
- Average annual precipitation -- 45.74 inches
Distances to other Metropolitan Areas from Norfolk:
- Atlantic City, NJ -- 195 miles
- Hampton, VA -- 9 miles
- Concord, NC -- 264 miles
- Charlotte, NC -- 283 miles
- Chicago, IL -- 886 miles
- Dallas, TX -- 1367 miles
- Miami, FL -- 962 miles
- Nashville, TN -- 704 miles
- New Orleans, LA -- 1057 miles
- Raleigh, NC -- 184 miles
- Washington, DC -- 201 miles
Norfolk Safety Phone # and Major Hospitals:
- Ambulance: 911
- Police: 911
- Fire: 911
- Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center (150 Kingsley Ln)
- Sentara Norfolk General Hospital (600 Gresham Dr)
- Sentara Leigh Hospital (830 Kempsville Rd)
- Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital (1309 Kempsville Rd)
- Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (807 Redgate Avenue & 601 Children's Lane)
- Norfolk General Hospital (600 Gresham Dr)
Norfolk Top Tourism Draws and Seasons:
- Hermitage Foundation Museum
- West Point Monument at Elmwood Cemetery
- Chrysler Museum of Art
- Hampton Roads Naval Museum
- MacArthur Memorial
- Attucks Theatre
- Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk Major Shopping Areas:
- MacArthur Center
- The Gallery at Military Circle
- Many antique stores
Norfolk Major Dining Areas:
- Downtown
- Hampton Boulevard
- Oceanview Beach
- Historic Ghent
Norfolk Famous Landmarks & Historic Places:
- Attucks Theatre
- Downtown Norfolk Historic District
- Wells Theatre
- Taylor-Whittle House
- Poplar Hall
- Old Norfolk City Hall
Norfolk Famous Natives and Residents:
- Samuel Face (Inventor)
- Bob Saget (Comedian)
- Gene Vincent (Musician)
- Timothy "Timbaland" Mosely (Musician)
- Patrick Wilson (Actor)
- Ben Watson (Football Player)
- Thomas Cook (Historian)
- Tim Reid (Actor/Director)
- Plaxico Burress (Football Player)
Notable Moments in Norfolk History:
- 1705 -- Norfolk becomes Incorporated
- 1841 -- Norfolk Academy school building finished.
- 1862 -- City surrenders to Union forces.
- 1959 -- Public schools become desegregated.
Interesting facts about Norfolk:
- The largest inter-model center in the US will be completed by 2010, the Norfolk International Terminal.
- The city is considered a "Tree City" due to the extensive quantity of trees and flowers in the area.
- The USS Wisconsin calls the city its home, as well as many ocean going cruise vessels.
- The world's largest navel base and North American headquarters of NATO are within the city.
Norfolk Population and Demographics:
- City of Norfolk Population -- 234,403 (as of the 2000 census)
- Male -- 51.6%
- Female -- 48.1%
- White -- 49.2%
- Black -- 44.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native -- 0.4%
- Asian -- 3.0%
- Hispanic/Latino -- 4.2%
- 2000 percent population 18 and over -- 74.3%
- 65 and over -- 10.1%
- Median age - 31.9%
- Median household income - $31,933
Norfolk Colleges and Universities:
- Old Dominion University
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Norfolk State University
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Tidewater Community College
Norfolk Economy & Business -- Notable Companies based in Norfolk:
- Norfolk Southern
- Landmark Communications
- Dominion Enterprises
- FHC Health Systems
- Portfolio Recovery Associates
- BlackHawk Products Group
Norfolk Hispanic Community Media and Churches:
- Jehovah's Witnesses: Spanish Congregation
- WCMS-AM
