| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Newport News/100k people | Virginia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 5,354 | n/a (estimate) | 2,911 | 1,930 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 31 | n/a | 16.9 | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 58 | n/a | 31.5 | 30.2 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 177 | n/a | 96.2 | 38.4 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 855 | n/a | 464.9 | 158.1 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 1,121 | n/a (estimate) | 610 | 234 | 370 |
| Burglary | 337 | n/a | 183.2 | 124.6 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 3,434 | n/a | 1,867.3 | 1,410.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 462 | n/a | 251.2 | 160.7 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 4,233 | n/a (estimate) | 2,302 | 1,696 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Newport News crime rate is higher than the national average by 25.3%. Specifically, there were 1121 violent crimes in Newport News, equivalent to 610 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 64.8%. Furthermore, Newport News recorded 4233 property crimes, amounting to 2302 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 17.8%.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Newport News ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Newport News, there were a total of 31 murders, translating to 17 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Newport News residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 139 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 32% of Newport News residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 68% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is Newport News a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Newport News has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 25%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 14.67 daily incidents, encompassing 3.07 violent crimes and 11.6 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Newport News as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Newport News has increased by 13.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Newport News is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 3.7%, while property crime has increased by 19.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Newport News.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Newport News crime rates. In Newport News, the poverty rate stands at 14.8%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Newport News, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Newport News has a population density of 2603.1 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Newport News crime rates.
| Item | Newport News | Virginia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 554 | 8,827 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Virginia /100K | National /100K |
| Virginia | 25,766 | 352 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,121 | 165 | 479 | 644 |
| Yorktown, VA | 286 | 95 | 685 | 780 |
| Smithfield, VA | 8,492 | 227 | 1,088 | 1,314 |
| Carrollton, VA | 6,340 | 179 | 1,297 | 1,476 |
| Williamsburg, VA | 15,034 | 209 | 1,539 | 1,748 |
| Gloucester Point, VA | 10,373 | 232 | 1,679 | 1,911 |
| Rushmere, VA | 1,001 | 295 | 2,139 | 2,434 |
| Newport News, VA | 179,582 | 610 | 2,302 | 2,911 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Providence, RI | 179,472 | 340 | 2,531 | 2,872 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 178,391 | 339 | 1,359 | 1,698 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 180,927 | 546 | 3,083 | 3,629 |
| Ontario, CA | 178,194 | 323 | 2,129 | 2,453 |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 178,060 | 370 | 2,018 | 2,389 |
| Newport News, VA | 179,582 | 610 | 2,302 | 2,911 |
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