Hampton is an independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county. One of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, it is on the southeast end of the Virginia Penninsula, bordering on Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay. It is the sixth most populous city in Virginia, the most populous settlement with the name, and one of the oldest cities in the United States.

Hampton hosts Fort Monroe, Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Reaearch Center, and the Virginia Air and Space Center, and is home of the historic Hampton University est. 1868 and features a wide array of business and industrial enterprises, retail and residential areas, historical sites, and miles of waterfront and beaches.

The City of Hampton has two distinct areas with links to the Chesapeake Bay.  The downtown waterfront area has been renovated and welcomes visitors.  Attractions downtown include cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, and shops, restaurants, pubs, galleries, an air and space museum, restored antique carousel, and a waterfront park. 

The nearby presence of NASA's Langley Research Center has brought the Virginia Air and Space Center to downtown Hampton (600 Settlers Landing Road).  The Air and Space Center tells the story of aviation and space exploration and features an IMAX movie theater.  In a park next door to the Air and Space Center, visitors can ride on an authentic restored 1920's wooden carousel.  The carousel operates from April through December 15th and you can take a ride for only 50 cents.  

Mill Point Park, located at the eastern end of Queens Way on the waterfront, hosts live rock music each Wednesday evening and live jazz on Friday evenings from May to September.  Saturday night Block Parties at Queens Way feature live top 40 dance music, street entertainers, and games.  

The Phoebus/Fort Monroe area is located on Hampton's eastern side. Phoebus was once an incorporated town and has retained it's individual character.  Today's Phoebus is experiencing a renaissance and features a nice mix of older homes, antique shops, arts and crafts galleries, and restaurants.  The restored American Theatre at 125 East Mellon Street is well worth a visit.  The American Theatre has quickly become one of the premier performance venues in Hampton Roads. 

Fort Monroe, at Old Point Comfort, is the largest star fort ever built in this country.  A visit to this fort's casement museum, surrounded by beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and picturesque structures, should be part of any visit to Hampton.

The Hampton Coliseum is a large, multi-purpose facility that hosts events such as concerts, sporting events, conventions, and trade shows.  Take in one of the most popular Hampton Virginia events during the month of June, the Hampton Jazz Festival at the Coliseum Hampton Virginia. Each year the Jazz Festival organizers and evaluates all the available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival and selects and assembles the best possible entertainment package for Coliseum Hampton Virginia goers. The Coliseum Hampton Virginia is one of the three largest convention facilities in Virginia and hosts an impressive year-round entertainment roster. The Hampton Coliseum was recognized with a 'Prime Site' award in 1994 by Agent and Manager Facilities magazine, ranking it with entertainment venues such as Madison Square Garden. The Coliseum is located in the middle of the city, just off of Interstate 64. 

Housing Cost

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $188,600

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $209,384; Detached houses: $211,778; Townhouses or other attached units: $192,848; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $275,000; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $299,407; Mobile homes: $28,746

Demographics

Population in July 2008: 145,494. Hampton covers 51.8 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 10 feet above sea level. Area code commonly used in this area: 757

Weather

Hampton, VA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 85.20 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 32.00 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 13 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Hampton is 47.90 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is July with an average rainfall of 4.86 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com