CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Newport News, Virginia Safe?

Population 183,230 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Newport News runs high. The city's D+ grade puts it below 80% of US cities, with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,576 per 100K.

Newport News Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNewport NewsVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate434.8320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2108.12045.21,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate274.0--268.2
Theft Rate1576.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate399.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

254.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

435/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2108/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Newport News

Violent crime in Newport News is above the national average. The rate of 434.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2108.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,576 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Newport News Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault274
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery86
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary272
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,576
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft399
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Newport News Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newport News
434.8
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newport News
2108.1
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Newport News Safety

Is Newport News safe?
Not especially. Newport News earns a D+ with a crime rate of 254.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Newport News?
254.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 434.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2108.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Newport News safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Newport News's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,576 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Newport News?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Newport News generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Newport News police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Newport News?
No. Crime in Newport News has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Newport News compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Newport News ranks behind about 76% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Newport News to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Newport News?
Bad. A D+ grade and 254.3 per-thousand rate put Newport News below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 435 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Newport News?
434.8 per 100,000, which is 20% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (274), robbery (86), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Virginia

Similar-sized communities in Virginia. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Alexandria160,662 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Hampton137,315 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Norfolk231,013 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Richmond237,257 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Chesapeake255,332 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Suffolk104,699 pop · Grade D-
View all Virginia city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Newport News

Get weekly safety updates for Newport News

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities