countyscore
31.1
County Score
Weather & Climate 67.9Lawn Care 62.3Income & Jobs 58.4

County Report Card

About Newport News city, Virginia

Facing National Livability Hurdles

Newport News city scores 31.1, falling considerably below the national median of 50.0. This ranking highlights significant challenges compared to typical American cities.

Trailing Virginia State Averages

The city's score of 31.1 is well below the Virginia state average of 50.9. Its urban environment faces different pressures than the more affluent surrounding counties.

Stable Incomes and Health Services

Despite overall challenges, the city maintains a decent income score of 58.4 and a health score of 53.4. Median household income remains competitive for the region at $66,718.

Safety and Environmental Risks

Safety is a primary concern with a score of 8.6, and a risk score of 27.8 indicates vulnerability to environmental factors. While water data is currently unavailable, high taxes also impact overall affordability.

For the Resilient Urban Professional

Newport News suits residents who prioritize proximity to major regional employers over suburban security metrics. It is best for those who value urban health access and mid-range industrial wages.

2040608010035.911.78.653.44458.427.867.9Tax35.9Cost11.7Safety8.6Health53.4Schools44Income58.4Risk27.8Water—Weather67.931.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Newport News city DNA

Foverall

How Newport News city compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Newport News city falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (8.6/100), though Weather & Climate (67.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
35.9-16.1
Cost
11.7-36.3
Safety
8.6-46.4
Health
53.4
Schools
44-10
Income
58.4
Risk
27.8-19.2
Weather
67.9+11.900000000000006
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Compare mortgage rates in Newport News city

Whether buying or refinancing in Newport News city, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$243,300

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,285/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$243,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$51,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,718/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Deep Dives

Newport News city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Newport News city

via TaxByCounty

Newport News: among nation's highest rates

Newport News's effective tax rate of 1.030% ranks in the nation's highest percentile, and its median tax of $2,507 sits slightly below the national median of $2,690. Despite lower home values, the city's tax burden substantially exceeds most American municipalities.

Virginia's heaviest property tax burden

Newport News carries the highest effective tax rate in Virginia at 1.030%, nearly 54% above the state average of 0.671%. Its median tax of $2,507 is 28% above Virginia's state average, making it the state's costliest jurisdiction for property owners.

Newport News dwarfs surrounding counties

Newport News's 1.030% rate far exceeds neighboring Norfolk (1.007%), Northumberland (0.481%), and Northampton (0.605%). As an independent city with extensive urban services, Newport News maintains the region's most aggressive tax rate to fund its municipal obligations.

The Newport News annual property tax

A median-valued Newport News home at $243,300 generates an annual property tax of roughly $2,507. At $209 per month, this represents one of the nation's heaviest burdens despite relatively affordable home prices.

Appeal your assessment in Newport News

Newport News residents paying high taxes should file a free assessment appeal, especially if property values in the neighborhood have declined or stabilized. Many homeowners in high-tax cities discover their assessments lag behind current market conditions and successfully reduce their bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Newport News city

via CostByCounty

Newport News rents strain household budgets

At 23.1%, Newport News's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the Virginia state average (18.6%) by 4.5 percentage points and signals significant affordability stress. The median household income of $66,718 falls $8,037 below the national median, making higher rents ($1,285) particularly burdensome.

Among Virginia's most unaffordable cities

Newport News ranks in Virginia's bottom tier for renter affordability, with a 23.1% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds most state peers. Combined with below-average median income, the city faces genuine affordability challenges that impact renters across all income brackets.

Urban costs without rural bargains

Newport News's $1,285 median rent significantly outpaces nearby Nelson County ($950), Northampton County ($780), and even Middlesex County ($1,071). The city's 23.1% rent-to-income ratio stands markedly worse than nearly every rural and suburban peer in our sample, including neighboring Norfolk at 23.4%.

Housing dominates household spending

Renters spend $1,285 monthly on a median income of $66,718, consuming 23.1% of earnings and leaving limited room for other expenses. Homeowners face an even steeper burden at $1,409 monthly (25.3% of income), suggesting ownership remains out of reach for many households.

Urban convenience comes with cost

Newport News offers urban amenities and diverse employment but demands careful budgeting: renters should expect to dedicate nearly one-quarter of income to housing at $1,285 monthly. Consider more affordable alternatives like Nelson or Northampton counties if housing cost relief is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Newport News city

via IncomeByCounty

Newport News trails national income

Newport News's median household income of $66,718 falls $8,037 short of the national median of $74,755, placing the city in the lower-middle range of American localities. The per capita income of $37,475 reflects a broad, diverse workforce typical of military and industrial hubs.

Below Virginia's earning level

At $66,718, Newport News earns $8,239 less than Virginia's state average of $74,957, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Virginia's jurisdictions. The city's economy lags the state baseline despite its large population base.

Lower-income urban center

Newport News's $66,718 income ranks below neighboring Norfolk ($64,017) by a small margin and substantially trails all higher-income counties like Middlesex ($74,154) and Northumberland ($69,500). The city reflects typical lower-income patterns for urban and military-dependent areas.

Housing costs strain budgets

Newport News has a rent-to-income ratio of 23.1%—approaching the danger zone where housing begins to crowd out savings and other essentials. With a median home value of $243,300, many households must carefully manage budgets to afford stable housing.

Strategic planning beats income gaps

Moderate incomes and higher housing cost ratios require disciplined financial planning in Newport News to build long-term wealth. Prioritize eliminating high-interest debt, negotiate lower insurance rates, and maximize employer benefits—small savings add up to meaningful security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Newport News city

via CrimeByCounty

Navigating Safety in Newport News

Newport News holds a safety score of 95.4, which is lower than the national standard. The city's total crime rate of 2,917.1 per 100,000 residents exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Below the Virginia Safety Average

Newport News ranks lower in safety than the state average score of 97.3. Its total crime rate is significantly higher than the Virginia average of 1,728.8, driven largely by urban activity.

High Activity Relative to State Neighbors

Data from a single reporting agency shows Newport News faces a higher crime frequency than many surrounding counties. Its crime rate is roughly 68% higher than the typical Virginia community average.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Risks

Property crime is the primary concern at 2,296.4 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate of 620.7 is nearly double the national average. These figures suggest a need for higher vigilance in densely populated urban areas.

Investing in Urban Home Defense

For Newport News residents, active home monitoring and reinforced locks provide a critical layer of protection. Visible security cameras and alarm systems are proven deterrents in areas with higher property crime rates.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Newport News city

via SchoolsByCounty

A Diverse and Expansive Urban System

Newport News City operates a massive educational infrastructure with 48 public schools serving 26,531 students. This includes 25 elementary schools, 6 high schools, and 10 specialized education centers.

Steady Academic Performance in an Urban Hub

The city matches the Virginia state graduation rate of 89.0%, which is two points higher than the national average. Officials invest $7,188 per student to maintain a 53.4 school score across its 48 campuses.

Four Districts Collaborate on Student Success

Newport News City Public Schools is the largest district, educating all 26,531 students. The city also hosts regional entities like the New Horizons Career and Technical Center to provide specialized vocational pathways.

Dynamic City-Based Learning Environments

Every school in the system is located within a city locale, reflecting the urban density of the Tidewater region. High schools are large, with Woodside High leading at 1,807 students, while the city-wide average school size is 663.

Find Your Neighborhood in Newport News

Newport News offers an array of residential options near specialized magnet programs and large high schools. Families should explore homes near Menchville or Warwick High to take advantage of the city's diverse educational opportunities and solid graduation rates.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Newport News city

via RiskByCounty

Newport News faces substantial national risk

With a composite risk score of 72.23, Newport News rates as Relatively Low but ranks among the nation's higher-risk communities for natural disasters. Your city experiences significantly above-average exposure to multiple hazards.

Well above Virginia's typical threat level

Newport News's 72.23 score far exceeds Virginia's average of 33.27—more than double—placing it among the state's most hazardous localities. You face notably elevated natural disaster exposure compared to most Virginia communities.

Most dangerous among analyzed localities

At 72.23, Newport News ranks second only to Norfolk (81.23) among these eight communities, dwarfing all rural counties profiled. Your position as an urban port city creates compounded exposure to coastal and seismic hazards.

Tornado and hurricane dominate threat profile

Tornado risk peaks at 74.08 and hurricane at 88.32—among the nation's highest for urban areas—while earthquake (76.27) and flood (71.44) threats also run elevated. These combined hazards make Newport News one of Virginia's highest-risk locations.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Flood and hurricane insurance aren't optional in Newport News—they're critical investments given your city's 71.44 flood and 88.32 hurricane scores. Maintain a tornado safe room or shelter plan, secure roof installation, and verify wind and flood coverage annually with your insurer.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Newport News city

via WaterByCounty

Limited Drinking Water Compliance Data Available

Specific SDWIS compliance grades are currently unavailable for Newport News city in this dataset. However, the state average violation rate of 126.9 per 100,000 residents provides a baseline for comparison. Local residents should consult the city's annual Consumer Confidence Report for specific safety details.

Significant Watershed Impairment in Newport News

The 2022 assessment reveals that 78.6% of assessed water bodies in Newport News are impaired. This is much higher than the Virginia average of 46.1%. Leading causes include aquatic plant overgrowth, PCB contamination, and poor estuarine bioassessments.

Robust Monitoring of Organics and Nutrients

Newport News city has 15 monitoring sites that recorded 14,787 measurements over the past five years. Researchers prioritize physical, nutrient, and organic characteristic groups. This data is essential for tracking the health of the city's complex urban and coastal waterways.

No Active USGS Streamgages in Newport News

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage providing live flow data for Newport News city. Because the area is largely coastal and urbanized, water health is often measured by tidal quality rather than stream discharge. Residents should refer to watershed health data for environmental signals.

Be Mindful of High Environmental Impairment

With 78.6% of local water bodies failing standards, residents should be aware of the environmental health risks in nearby waters. The prevalence of PCBs and aquatic plant issues suggest that urban runoff is a major factor. Reducing fertilizer use and properly disposing of chemicals can help improve local watershed health.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Newport News city

via WeatherByCounty

A warm coastal urban climate

Newport News records an annual average temperature of 59.5°F, which is quite warm compared to national figures. The city receives 45.1 inches of rain, typical for the Atlantic coastline.

Warmer than the state median

The city's average temperature exceeds the Virginia state average of 55.9°F by several degrees. This makes it one of the warmer urban centers in the Commonwealth.

Consistent with Tidewater patterns

Newport News shares a nearly identical 59.5°F average with Mecklenburg County to the west. It remains slightly cooler than Norfolk city, which averages 61.0°F.

Hot summers and mild winters

The city endures 43 days of extreme heat above 90°F every year. Winters are very mild, with December through February temperatures averaging 41.8°F.

Hydration and cooling are key

Residents should prepare for over six weeks of extreme heat with high-capacity cooling systems. Heavy winter coats are rarely needed given the mild 41.8°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Newport News city

via SoilByCounty

Urban Soils on the Coast

Soil data for this developed city is largely unclassified in federal surveys. Unlike the state average pH of 5.23, urban soils here are often influenced by construction fill and human activity.

Unknown Coastal Textures

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are unavailable for this urban area. Gardeners in Newport News should perform a home jar test to determine their local soil texture before planting.

Growing in an Urban Environment

While organic matter data is missing, urban soils generally require supplemental compost to reach the state average of 2.90%. The city's maritime location suggests a unique potential for nutrient-rich coastal sediments.

Coastal Drainage Challenges

Specific drainage and hydrologic group data are not recorded for this city. In this coastal setting, drainage is often dictated by local elevation and proximity to the James River.

Thriving in Zone 8a

The warm Zone 8a climate allows for a long growing season that supports figs, camellias, and southern magnolias. Start a garden to discover the hidden potential of your specific urban plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Newport News city

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Conditions for Coastal Lawns

Newport News earns a lawn score of 62.3, indicating much easier growing conditions than the national average of 50.0. This 8a hardiness zone benefits from a coastal climate that tempers winter freezes.

Long Growing Season with Coastal Heat

The city sees 43 extreme heat days annually, which is significantly higher than the state average. Fortunately, the 45.1 inches of annual precipitation provides the necessary hydration to help turf recover from high temperatures.

Soil Testing is Essential

While specific city-wide soil data is limited, the coastal location often means sandy loam textures. We recommend a local soil test to determine your specific pH and whether you need to add lime or phosphorus.

Manageable Drought Periods

The city has only faced 6 weeks of drought over the past year. Even with 100% of the area currently labeled abnormally dry, standard irrigation practices are usually enough to maintain a healthy lawn here.

Extended Window for Coastal Growth

Bermudagrass is a perfect match for the heat and humidity of Newport News. Your growing window is generous, starting after the last frost on April 1 and lasting until the first frost on November 9.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Newport News city's county score?
Newport News city, Virginia has a composite county score of 31.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Newport News city rank among counties in Virginia?
Newport News city ranks #127 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Newport News city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Newport News city is $2,507, with an effective tax rate of 1.03%. This earns Newport News city a tax score of 35.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Newport News city?
The median household income in Newport News city, Virginia is $66,718 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Newport News city earns an income score of 58.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Newport News city, Virginia a good place to live?
Newport News city scores 31.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #127 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Newport News city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Newport News city with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.