Welcome to our guide to Cape Charles, VA. We keep it short: where the town is, who lives there, and what the water is doing today.
Quick answer: Cape Charles, VA is in Northampton County with about 1,314 residents in 2025. Its tides come from NOAA station 8632366, Cape Charles Harbor. The closest town in our guide is Hampton, about 24 miles away.
Contents
About Cape Charles
Cape Charles is in Northampton County, Virginia.[1] It is an incorporated town. About 1,314 people lived there in 2025. In 2020 it was 1,176.[2]
Tides Today
The tide box on this page shows today’s highs and lows. They come from NOAA station 8632366, Cape Charles Harbor. NOAA tide tables use only past data. Wind and weather can push the water higher or lower.[3]
Nearby Bay Towns
| Town | Miles away (straight line) |
|---|---|
| Hampton | 24 |
| Yorktown | 27 |
| Virginia Beach | 29 |
We measured these from official map points.[1]
Before You Go Out
Check the marine forecast on our tides page first. NOAA says wind forecasts get less sure after one or two days. So check again on the day you go.[3] Then have a good day on the Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What county is Cape Charles, VA in? Northampton County.
How many people live in Cape Charles? About 1,314 residents in 2025, according to the Census Bureau.
Where can I see tides for Cape Charles? In the tide box on this page, from NOAA station 8632366.
What Bay town is closest to Cape Charles? Hampton, about 24 miles away in a straight line.
References
- [1] U.S. Geological Survey, GNIS domestic names files via The National Map – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] U.S. Census Bureau, City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2025 – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] NOAA Tides and Currents, Operational Forecast System disclaimer – last checked 11/08/2026
See every town and station on our Chesapeake Bay map.