[3] It is home to the College of William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a graduate school for the study of oceanography.

The point is downstream from Werowocomoco, capital of Tsenacommacah since the late 500s.

To the south across the river on U.S. Route 17 and the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge is Yorktown, site of the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Gloucester Point CDP has a total area of 16.4 square miles (42.4 km2), of which 9.4 square miles (24.3 km2) are land and 7.0 square miles (18.1 km2), or 42.58%, are water,[3] consisting of the tidal York River and its inlets, including Sarah Creek and part of Timberneck Creek.

22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.