Norfolk (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
Norfolk (city) sits inside the data center build-out. The SAVRN Data Center Map lists 3 data centers in Norfolk (city). Norfolk (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Electrical contractors employ 557, up 48.1% since 2019 against up 33.4% statewide, at an average $85,720 a year. Unemployment was 4.2% in August 2026, against 3.5% in 2019. Employers here counted 144,347 jobs in 2025, up 2.4% from 2019.
Cities and towns in Norfolk (city)
Norfolk (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Norfolk (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 237,859 | 231,013 | ▼ 2.9% | 10th of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 141,016 | 144,347 | ▲ 2.4% | 60th of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $57,451 | $75,015 | ▲ 30.6% | — |
| Electrical contractor jobs (2019 → 2025) | 376 | 557 | ▲ 48.1% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.5% | 4.2% | ▲ 0.7pts | — |
231,013 people live here, down 2.9% since 2020, 10th of 133 Virginia counties by population.
Who powers Norfolk (city)
No operating power plant is located in Norfolk (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Norfolk (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 144,347 | $75,015 | 1.00 |
| Electrical contractors | 557 | $85,720 | 0.54 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Norfolk (city)
3 data centers in Norfolk (city) are on the SAVRN Data Center Map: see them by city and operator.
Norfolk (city) and its neighbors
Of the 3 counties that border Norfolk (city), Virginia Beach (city) carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk (city) | 231,013 | ▲ 2.4% | — | — | 3 | — |
| Chesapeake (city) | 255,332 | ▲ 4.8% | 51 MW | — | — | — |
| Portsmouth (city) | 96,777 | ▼ 3.6% | — | — | — | — |
| Virginia Beach (city) | 453,737 | ▲ 0.5% | 12 MW | — | 4 | — |
More of Virginia
Norfolk (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Norfolk (city)?
Yes. The SAVRN Data Center Map lists 3 data centers in Norfolk (city).
What county is Norfolk, VA in?
Norfolk is in Norfolk (city), Virginia. About 231,013 people live there (2025 Census estimate).
Is Norfolk (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 144,347 jobs in 2025 against 141,016 in 2019 (+2.4%, BLS QCEW).
Does Norfolk (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Norfolk (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.