WORKFORCE & TALENT For many employers, a capable and talented workforce is the most vital component of their company’ success. Hampton Roads, with a workforce of approximately 895,000, has a talent pipeline like very few other regions in America. The existing labor force is consistently enhanced by graduates from our region’s many colleges and universities as well as military personnel exiting the service and entering the private sector. In fact, more than 15,000 men and women exit the military in Hampton Roads on an annual basis, more than half of whom remain in the region. 13,000+ individuals also graduate from Hampton Roads universities on an annual basis. These groups supplement an already highly trained workforce that can meet the needs of virtually any employer.
Workforce replenished annually by highly-trained exiting military
42% of the population has an associates degree or higher
50% of individuals between the ages of 18 - 55
DEMOGRAPHICS
The total population in the Hampton Roads region is 1.8 million people, with a labor force of over 895,000. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in population size at 3.1%. The median age of the workforce is 36 years old, with 50% of individuals between the ages of 18 and 55. Through a combination of career opportunities and high quality of life, the region holds a substantial amount of youthful talent. Not only are we able to curb the drain of local talent, we’ve also been actively attracting outsiders as well. The City of Virginia Beach was named number the #8 city for net millennial migration in the United States in 2021 in a report produced by SmartAsset.
MILITARY
Each year, approximately 15,000 active-duty military personnel transition out of the military, either through retirement or into the civilian workforce. Thousands of these highly-trained men and women enter the Hampton Roads workforce and offer employers a unique opportunity to benefit from the skillset they have learned during their time in the service. Exiting military personnel have a variety of resources to assist in their transition to the private sector, as well, such as the Veterans Career Compass from the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.
EDUCATION
Hampton Roads has numerous post secondary institutions, including 12 universities and colleges and 21 trade and technical schools. Combined, these institutions has over 128,000 students and confer 25,000 degrees annually. For an in-depth overview of these organizations, click here. As shown on the chart pictured right, the region is also above national averages for educational attainment.
Education Level
71%
of Virginia’s exiting military are located in Hampton Roads.
Hampton Roads
USA
At least a high-school diploma
92.1%
88.3%
Some college
24.7%
20.3%
Associates Degree
9.6%
8.6%
Bachelor's Degree
20.3%
20.0%
Graduate or Professional Degree
12.8%
12.6%