City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Newport News, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Newport News - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

184,774
Residents
$66,718
Median income
$243,300
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Newport News - the verdict

Newport News ranks in the 45th percentile for household income and the 14th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
54th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
14th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Newport News, VA

Virginia's Newport News is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 184,774 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Newport News households earn a median of $66,718 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.6%. Typical homes in Newport News are valued around $243,300, and the median resident age is 34.2 years. 29.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 6 residential building permits were authorized in Newport News (Construction Slowdown), down 97% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Newport News's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3152.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 59.5°F with 45.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Virginia scores 101.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,713 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Virginia run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Newport News report an average commute of 21.1 minutes, with 74.3% driving alone and 9.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 72.2 out of 100 (High).

Population

184,774 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$66,718 /yr

Poverty 11.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Newport News compare to other US cities?

Here's how Newport News stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 54% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 14% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Virginia alone, Newport News ranks #97 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Newport News's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

45thIncome percentile
14thSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 14th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Newport News's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Newport News's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 33 Avg. percentile National median
Newport News's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Newport News's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$243,300 46th percentile more affordable than 46% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Newport News $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Newport News, VA Newport News, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Newport News, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Newport News, VA median $66,718/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Newport News, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Newport News, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
184,774
Median Income
$66,718
Median Home Value
$243,300
Median Age
34.2
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3152.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
736.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2416.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
59.5°F
Annual Precipitation
45.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
39
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
182,000 residents183,000 residents184,000 residents185,000 residents186,000 residents187,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 186,030 residents 183,230 residents ▼ -1.5%
Newport News's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
6
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 218
2020 160
2021 106
2022 393
2023 647
2024 6

Permit volume decreased 97% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.1 minutes
Drive Alone
74.3%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
3.6%
Work from Home
9.3%
Other
2.2%

Based on 91,378 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Newport News sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,713/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Alexandria
156,788 people
Richmond
227,595 people
Hampton
137,334 people
Norfolk
235,037 people
Arlington
235,463 people
Chesapeake
251,153 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Newport News's 184,774 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mobile, AL
185,097 people
Shreveport, LA
183,483 people
Paradise, NV
186,178 people
Tempe, AZ
186,419 people
Fort Lauderdale, FL
183,032 people
Chattanooga, TN
182,832 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Newport News's $66,718 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kiana, AK
$66,719 median income
Gilson, IL
$66,719 median income
Woodruff, UT
$66,719 median income
Cudahy, WI
$66,717 median income
Manlius, NY
$66,714 median income
Woodlawn, OH
$66,712 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Newport News, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Newport News, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 42.3% 41.0% 10.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.5% White 42.3% Black or African American 41.0% Asian 3.3% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 10.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Newport News compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Newport News (this city) 184,774 $66,718
Alexandria 156,788 $113,638
Richmond 227,595 $62,671
Hampton 137,334 $67,758
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Newport News, VA?

What is the population of Newport News, VA? +

184,774 people live in Newport News, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Newport News, VA? +

Median annual household income in Newport News runs $66,718, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Newport News? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Newport News; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Newport News, VA safe? +

Newport News has a total crime rate of 3152.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Newport News, VA? +

Homes in Newport News carry a median value of $243,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Newport News? +

Climate normals put Newport News's yearly average temperature at 59.5°F, 45.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.