Chesapeake Facts

We don't want to toot our own horn, but Chesapeake has a lot to brag about!  Although surrounded by various well-known cities within the Coastal Virginia area, Chesapeake stands out in many unique areas.

Did you know?

Chesapeake is consistently ranked by the FBI as one of the five safest cities of its size in the country.

Coastal Virginia is ranked one of the top six regions in America for recreation.

Chesapeake is ranked as one of the six best places to live by MONEY Magazine (for cities with 100,000+ population in the East).

Chesapeake consists of more than 353 square miles of land area, which makes us the 11th largest city in the U.S.

Chesapeake contains more miles of deepwater canals than any other city in the country.

Chesapeake is a hotbed for professional athletes and notable people, including...

• Michael Cuddyer, professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, raised in Chesapeake.

• Alonzo Mourning, retired professional basketball player for the Miami Heat, raised in Chesapeake.

• Ricky Rudd, retired professional NASCAR race drive.

• BJ Upton, professional baseball player for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, raised in Chesapeake.

• Justin Upton, professional baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks, raised in Chesapeake.

• David Wright, professional baseball player for the New York Mets, raised in Chesapeake.

• Darryl Tapp, professional football player for the Philadelphia Eagles, raised in Chesapeake.

• DeAngelo Hall, professional football player for the Washington Redskins, raised in Chesapeake.

• Bubba Blackhawk Walters, 4-time World Kickboxing Champion.

• Chris Richardson, finalist on American Idol Season Six, resides in Chesapeake.