RANK #462 / 996 NAT · #9 / 37 VA · POP 185,118
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Newport News, Virginia, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest English place names in the New World, with "Newportes Newes" appearing in records as early as 1619. Located on the Virginia Peninsula where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay, it is approximately an hour from Richmond and Virginia Beach, and less than 30 minutes from Norfolk and Williamsburg. Commuting is primarily car-dependent, though Hampton Roads Transit offers bus services and an on-demand microtransit option. The city boasts extensive outdoor recreation, including Newport News Park, one of the largest municipal parks east of the Mississippi River, offering hiking, biking, fishing, and camping.
Life in Newport News offers a blend of urban amenities and a quieter pace, appealing to families and those seeking affordability. The local economy is significantly shaped by its historical ties to shipbuilding and maritime industries, including a major shipbuilding company and a U.S. Navy presence. Recent economic development efforts focus on broadening the economy through attracting investment in various sectors, including advanced manufacturing and industrial renovations. Newport News Public Schools serves approximately 25,500 students across 40 schools, with a focus on preparing students for college and careers.
Contracting economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility and other capital investments
HII (Newport News Shipbuilding)
|
$1,900M | Under Construction |
|
City Capital Improvement Plan (FY2027–2031)
City of Newport News
|
$983M | Planned |
|
Youth T.H.R.I.V.E Program
City of Newport News
|
$500M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Newport News city scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#462). Median household income is $63,355 and job growth is running at +1.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Newport News city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $233,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,209/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Newport News city are hiring — job growth of +1.3% — but the population is close to flat (+0.0% YoY). Home values moved +1.3% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 5.24% of Newport News city's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.