Cape Charles, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Cape Charles is a small town in Virginia with a population of 1,278. Residents earn $51,250 per year, which is 32% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,278 Population 360/sq mi density
$51,250 Median Income $62,314 per capita
$589,000 Home Value $395,619 Zillow
$840 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$51,250 median income, 3.9% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$589,000 home value, $840/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
57.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,250
32% lower than US avg
Home Value $589,000
109% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 57.9%
72% higher than US avg
Median Rent $840
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.6%
47% lower than US avg

How Cape Charles Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,278
Median Age55.6 yrs
Density360/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$51,250
Per Capita$62,314
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty6.6%
Commute17 min

Housing

F
Home Value$589,000
Rent$840
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$395,619

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property2,741/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary102/100K

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain47.8 in/yr
Elevation12 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+57.9%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.58

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute17 min
Libraries1

Is Cape Charles a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cape Charles receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Cape Charles offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cape Charles is $51,250, 32% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cape Charles is $589,000, making it a premium housing market at 109% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $840 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 11.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Cape Charles is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,741 per 100,000, 40% above the national average.

Education

Cape Charles is a highly educated community — 57.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Cape Charles enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Cape Charles has a population of 1,278 with a density of 360 people per square mile. The median age is 55.6 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.2%), with 6.9% Black.

Population

1,278
Total Population
360
People / sq mi
55.6yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Cape Charles vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cape Charles vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cape Charles is $51,250, which is 32% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Cape Charles vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,250
32% below US avg
Per Capita Income$62,314
Avg Weekly Wage$896
IRS Avg AGI$106,652

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.6%
47% below US avg
Establishments (County)256

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare17
Retail23
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,708
63% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.97%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home17.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Cape Charles is $589,000, 109% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $840 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $395,619.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$589,000
109% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$395,619

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$840
28% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,137
1 Bedroom$1,181
2 Bedrooms$1,369
3 Bedrooms$1,787
4 Bedrooms$2,126

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,708
63% above US avg
Effective Rate0.97%
In Cape Charles, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.2% report depression. 27.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cape Charles vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure35.1%
Asthma11.7%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity27.1%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death7,082/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access95.7%
Healthcare Facilities17
Cape Charles has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,741 per 100,000 (40% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Cape Charles vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,741.1/100K
40% above US avg
Burglary101.5/100K
Theft2,538.1/100K
Vehicle Theft101.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Cape Charles has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.8°F
11% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.8 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall2.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation12 ft (4 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²)
Population Density360/sq mi
Coordinates37.2497°N, 76.0142°W
County FIPS51735
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 57.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.3%
D 26.4%

Winner: Republican by 45.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+57.9%
72% above US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.58
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density360/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants27
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home17.8%

Nearby Cities

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