Photo: Bruce Emmerling · CC BY-SA 4.0Within Virginia, Norfolk is healthier than 23% of graded towns
Norfolk differs from Virginia on 16 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 12 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Norfolk. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Norfolk
Making ends meet is harder in Norfolk
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (20.7%), vs 13.1% across Virginia. No reliable transportation (12.2% vs 7.4%) and utility shut-off threats (11.7% vs 7.1%) are higher too. 18.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.7% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Norfolk
61.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 67.9% across Virginia. Among those 65 and older, 14.3% have lost all their teeth (Virginia 11.1%). Norfolk’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
Mental distress runs high in Norfolk
1 in 5 adults are in frequent mental distress (19.4%), vs 15.9% across Virginia. Loneliness is above the state too: 39.2%, vs 33.8% across Virginia. Mind & connection ↓
Norfolk has three hospitals within its borders
3 hospitals and 1 community health center are inside Norfolk. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is rated 4 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Virginia figure falls outside Norfolk’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
What’s behind Norfolk’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Norfolk is healthier than 40% of U.S. towns, #194 of 253 in Virginia. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 64% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 14%).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Norfolk’s median household income is $66,109; among the 10,108 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($50K–$83K), it’s healthier than 54%, about where its income would put it.
Where Norfolk compares well: arthritis, 22.6% (U.S. 25.3%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.4% (U.S. 7.9%); coronary heart disease, 5.3% (U.S. 6.4%).
At 231,013 residents, Norfolk is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.9% of Norfolk adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.7% across Virginia.
Keeping up with care
Share of Norfolk adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Virginia.
How Norfolk adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Norfolk runs above Virginia.
2 in 5 Norfolk adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Care in and near Norfolk
3 hospitals and 1 community health center in Norfolk, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Norfolk; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Out of every 100 Norfolk adults…
Norfolk runs below VA on 4 of 12 conditions and above it on 1. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 13% of Norfolk residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across Virginia. Heart disease, arthritis and cancer run low partly because the town is young.
Everyday habits, side by side with Virginia
Share of adults, with the Virginia figure marked.
33 miles of trails across 49 parks and preserves
Norfolk and the towns around it
Norfolk’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 5 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk | C+ | 39.9% | 12.4% | 13.7% | CDC place |
| Virginia Beach | B+ | 36.5% | 11.8% | 12.1% | CDC place |
| Chesapeake | B− | 40.1% | 12.9% | 12.9% | CDC place |
| Hampton | C | 40.1% | 15% | 14.3% | CDC place |
| Portsmouth | C− | 40.3% | 16.1% | 16.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Norfolk adults live with a disability (Virginia 30%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Norfolk
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Norfolk is better than Virginia on 4 and worse on 12; on the rest, the Virginia figure falls inside Norfolk’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Norfolk | VA | U.S. | vs VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20.7%18.3–23 | 18.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.3%11.7–14.8 | 12.8% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.4%17.2–21.5 | 15.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 39.9%34–45.8 | 34.5% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.4%10.9–13.9 | 12.5% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 35.3%31.7–38.8 | 35.4% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34%30.3–37.6 | 38% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 22.6%20.1–25.2 | 26.2% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 11.3%10–12.7 | 10.4% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.4%4.9–6 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.3%4.7–5.8 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.3%5.6–6.9 | 6.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.4%3.2–3.6 | 3.3% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 14.3%12–16.9 | 11.1% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13.7%11.9–15.6 | 12.2% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 26.1%22.4–29.9 | 23.8% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 17.1%14.1–20.2 | 14.5% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.5%35.8–45.2 | 36% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.9%9.5–12.5 | 8.7% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.4%74.8–81.6 | 79.2% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.1%57.8–64.2 | 67.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.4%80.3–84.4 | 87.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.5%70.8–75.9 | 76.8% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 69%64.7–72.9 | 67.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 80.5%74.6–85.4 | 78.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 22.2%18.9–25.4 | 21.8% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 39.2%34.5–44.1 | 33.8% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.7%21.4–28.1 | 21.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.7%18.4–23.1 | 13.1% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 16.5%14.6–18.6 | 10.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.7%10.4–13.3 | 7.1% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.2%10.9–13.5 | 7.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 18.9%16.9–21.1 | 10.7% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33.7%29.8–37.5 | 30% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 14.3%12.7–15.9 | 13.5% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.7%15.9–19.5 | 14% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 5.3%4.7–5.9 | 6.4% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 6.1%5.6–6.6 | 4.7% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10%9–10.9 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.3%4–4.6 | 3.5% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Virginia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Norfolk
Is Norfolk a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Norfolk is healthier than 40% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #194 of 253 in Virginia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 54%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Norfolk?
CDC estimates 39.9% of adults have obesity, likely between 34% and 45.8%, against 34.5% across Virginia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Norfolk?
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, 5.3 miles in a straight line from Norfolk’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Norfolk have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.5–12.5%), against 8.7% across Virginia.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Norfolk more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Norfolk.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Virginia figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.