Geographic Units

This research process delineated 172 Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSAs) in the City of Chesapeake. NSAs are communities of interest consisting of one or more neighborhoods or subdivisions. The NSA boundaries used for this study were delineated by the Steering Committee in conjunction with the consultant. The quality of life assessment was carried out for 117 NSAs (Figure 1). Not included in the analysis were seven non-residential NSAs. Currently, these areas do not have residential development, nor are they expected to have a residential future. Consequently, these areas were not included in the analytical framework. In addition, there are 48 rural NSAs. The majority of these NSAs are located in Southern Chesapeake. At this time, these NSAs do not meet the population threshold (300 residents) for analytical purposes. Nonetheless, quality of life information is being collected for these areas. They will be included in future quality of life studies as their population thresholds are achieved.

This study is built around a small area geography, the NSAs. These units are typically larger than individual subdivisions or traditional neighborhoods. The NSAs are large enough to collect and analyze community-level data, without serious error margins.

The NSA geography was delineated using existing neighborhoods and subdivisions with some boundary adjustments. For example, the U.S. Census 2000 block group and block boundaries were considered in drawing boundaries. NSA boundaries are fixed. The only future change in boundaries will occur as neighborhood conditions warrant adjustments. This fixed approach is followed in order to allow comparison of NSAs over time. Figure 2 presents the NSA numbering system. All NSAs, even those 55 not included in the analysis, are numbered. A list of all the NSAs, including their constituent neighborhoods and subdivisions is provided as Appendix B.

Finally, this document contains a NSA profile for each of the 117 NSAs included in the analysis. The profile includes a NSA classification; variable values, with citywide comparisons; and background information.

Figure 1
Neighborhood Statistical Area (NSA) Boundaries

Figure 2
NSA Identification