Newport News, VA, known as "The Shipbuilding Capital," is a historic city with a rich maritime heritage. Located in southeastern Virginia along the James River, Newport News is approximately 30 miles north of Norfolk and 70 miles southeast of Richmond. This medium-sized city is renowned for its shipbuilding industry, vibrant cultural scene, and strategic military importance.
Newport News' climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for a variety of outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, including the scenic Newport News Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, and the beautiful Huntington Park, which offer trails, gardens, and opportunities for boating and fishing.
The cultural scene in Newport News is dynamic, with attractions like The Mariners' Museum and Park, the Virginia Living Museum, and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Newport News Greek Festival, the Fall Festival of Folklife, and the Newport News One City Marathon, celebrating the community's diversity and vitality.
Education is a priority in Newport News, with institutions like Christopher Newport University and Thomas Nelson Community College providing higher education opportunities. The city's public and private schools are highly regarded, making Newport News an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as Riverside Regional Medical Center, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Newport News combines the benefits of urban living with the charm of a historic community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and the Amtrak station, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its historical richness, cultural vibrancy, and welcoming atmosphere, Newport News offers a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Schools
The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Newport News is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 184,134 residents. Newport News is mostly populated by White (47%) and Black or African American (41%) ethnic groups. Newport News is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 47% married, this city falls well below the national average. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Newport News is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Newport News, Virginia. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Newport News and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Newport News to Virginia and the national average.
Newport News has a livability score of 76/100 and is ranked #98 in Virginia and #3,133 in the USA. Clearly, Newport News is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Newport News ranks well for amenities (B), cost of living (B+), education (B+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Newport News scores poorly for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
Newport News has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Newport News has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Virginia Living Museum, Mariner's Museum, and Newport News Park.
Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Newport News, the average school test scores are an impressive 67%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Newport News market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Newport News is actually affordable. The median home price for Newport News homes is $341,383, which is 21.5% lower than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Newport News, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.3, which is 4.4% lower than the Virginia average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Newport News | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.8% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.2% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.7% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.4% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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