Hampton, Virginia
| Hampton, Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Independent city | |
| City of Hampton | |
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| Motto: From the Sea to the Stars | |
 Location in the State of Virginia |
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 Hampton, Virginia
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| Coordinates: 37°2′5″N 76°21′36″W / 37.03472°N 76.36000°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |
 Virginia
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| County | None (Independent city) |
| Settled | 1610 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1705 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1849 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Donnie Tuck (D) |
| • Vice Mayor | Linda Curtis (R) |
| Area | |
| • Independent city | 350 km2 (136 sq mi) |
| • Land | 130 km2 (51 sq mi) |
| • Water | 220 km2 (85 sq mi) 62.3% |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Independent city | 137,436 |
| • Density | 1,032/km2 (2,674/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,674,498 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | 757 |
| FIPS code | 51-35000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1495650 |
| Website | http://www.hampton.gov |
Hampton is an independent city in Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 137,436.
As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula.
Hampton traces its history to the city's Old Point Comfort, the home of Fort Monroe for almost 400 years, which was named by the 1607 voyagers, led by Captain Christopher Newport, who first established Jamestown as an English colonial settlement. Since consolidation in 1952, Hampton has included the former Elizabeth City County and the incorporated town of Phoebus, consolidating by mutual agreement.
After the end of the American Civil War, historic Hampton University was established opposite from the town on the Hampton River, providing an education for many newly-freed former slaves and for area Native Americans. In the 20th century, the area became the location of Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Virginia Air and Space Center. Hampton features many miles of waterfront and beaches.
For residents and visitors alike, the city features a wide array of business and industrial enterprises, retail and residential areas, and historical sites. Most recently, the new Peninsula Town Center development opened in May 2010 on the site of the former Coliseum Mall. Located in the area adjacent to the Hampton Coliseum and the Convention Center, the new urbanism-type project features a wide mix of retail stores, housing and other attractions. Development of new residential development and additional public facilities (such as the new fishing pier recently opened) are underway at Buckroe Beach, long a noted resort area.
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