What Locals Know About Norfolk
Think you really know Norfolk? It's a city with mermaid statues that could launch a thousand selfies, Doumar's waffle cones that you'll have to lick to truly get, and Navy gray hulls that are parked like SUVs. Let's run through the facts, stats, and mermaid math that showcase what makes Norfolk's Big Ship Energy legendary.
Laura, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Laura arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea she’d still be here decades later—now basically an honorary ambassador for the state. She’s tracked down over 800 of Virginia’s iconic LOVE signs, a feat that probably deserves its own license plate. When she’s not at the beach or debating which El Azteca location does the best Nacho Fajitas, she’s editing Snappy Scout’s Virginia guides, helping readers discover the local quirks and hidden gems she’s been living (and loving) for years.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Norfolk Norfolk?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Norfolk
Mermaid City, NFK, The 757
Local Reality Check
Just Virginia Beach spillover vs. independent Navy city with NATO and serious arts.
You're most likely moving from
D.C. and Northern Virginia, military PCS from San Diego or Jacksonville.
Strangely large concentration of
sailors and mermaid statues everywhere, including traffic medians.
Music scene
The NorVa’s legendary acoustics, Harrison Opera House, Chrysler hall, Attucks Theatre jazz pedigree.
You'll have to see it to believe it
Battleship Wisconsin towering over downtown at Nauticus, Botanical Gardens Christmas Garden of Lights, Harborfest Lighted Boat Parade
Unique Geography
144 shoreline miles where the Elizabeth meets the Chesapeake.
Norfolk is home to
Naval Station Norfolk, world’s largest naval base.
Well known for its
NEON arts district, Chrysler Museum glass studio, mermaid branding.
Fun history fact
General Douglas MacArthur is interred at the MacArthur Memorial downtown, American headquarters for NATO.
Celebrity sightings
Wayne Newton birthplace, Grant Gustin hometown, Tim Reid NSU alum, Bruce Smith, Michael Vick, Allen Iverson.
Noteworthy Census stat
About 44 percent water area, per U.S. Census.
Most interesting sub-culture within Norfolk
Ghent porch philosophers debating tides, Tides, and Tide schedules.
Population
3rd largest city in VA, top 100 largest nationwide
Norfolk is roughly the same geographic size as
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
From mid-November to early January, head to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens with your gloves and tennis shoes and enjoy a magical walk through the twinkling lights while drinking a hot coffee and kettle corn.
— Laura Gray
Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Norfolk Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Norfolk guide for the bigger picture.