Living in Cape Charles, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cape Charles · Census data 2020–2024
Cape Charles has 1,201 residents with a median age of 60.5. The median household income is $73,750 (21% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $640,600, the median rent is $800/month.
Cape Charles is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Cape Charles at a glance
- Population
- 1,201
- Median age
- 60.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $73,750State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $640,600State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $800/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 66.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59.6%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Cape Charles a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Virginia median; home values 67% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Cape Charles
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cape Charles the median home value is $640,600, 93% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $800 per month, which is 29.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,294 a month in housing costs.
Cape Charles median household income
The median household income in Cape Charles is $73,750 and the income per person is $79,299. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Cape Charles: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,185
- Owner-occupied
- 66.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.6%
- Vacant
- 42.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 1.76
42.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Cape Charles has many vacation and second homes.
Cape Charles demographics
- Population
- 1,201
- Median age
- 60.5
- Under 18
- 8.2%
- 65 and older
- 37.7%
- Households
- 684
- Foreign-born
- 4.7%
- Veterans
- 11.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cape Charles ›
Education in Cape Charles
59.6% of adults 25 and older in Cape Charles have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 31.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cape Charles
- Unemployment rate
- 2.9%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 16%
- Drive alone
- 60.6%
- Public transit
- 4.9%
- Walk to work
- 10.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.8%
Cape Charles vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Charles | 1,201 | $73,750 | $640,600 | $800 |
| Cheriton | 555 | $49,191 | $205,500 | $541 |
| Eastville | 254 | $77,917 | $260,900 | $867 |
| Nassawadox | 590 | $51,932 | $152,500 | $763 |
| Poquoson | 12,639 | $120,972 | $400,300 | $1,707 |
| Hampton | 137,557 | $69,621 | $245,700 | $1,427 |
| Exmore | 1,571 | $29,028 | $152,400 | $669 |
| Willis Wharf | 278 | $92,543 | — | — |
| Mathews | 941 | $55,481 | $193,400 | — |
More for people moving to Cape Charles
Cape Charles ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cape Charles: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cape Charles, VA?
The median household income in Cape Charles is $73,750, 21% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Cape Charles?
The median home value in Cape Charles is $640,600, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Cape Charles?
The median gross rent in Cape Charles is $800 per month, about 29.6% of household income.
Is Cape Charles, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 2.9%. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Virginia median; home values 67% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
What is the median age in Cape Charles?
The median age in Cape Charles is 60.5 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Cape Charles?
The average commute to work in Cape Charles is 18 minutes; 16% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cape Charles?
The unemployment rate in Cape Charles is 2.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cape Charles?
59.6% of adults in Cape Charles have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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