:Newport News, Virginia

The original area near the mouth of the James River was first referred to as Newportes Newes as early as 1621.{{cite web |url=http://www.newport-news.org/media-center/newport-news-in-detail/newport-news-trivia-and-fun-facts.html |title=Newport News Trivia and Fun Facts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429194002/http://www.newport-news.org/media-center/newport-news-in-detail/newport-news-trivia-and-fun-facts.html |archive-date=April 29, 2008 |work=newport-news.org |access-date=June 21, 2009}}

The source of the name Newport News is not known with certainty, though it is the oldest English city name in the Americas.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIXfJTdel0oC&q=%22newport+news%22|year=2010|title=Images of America: Downtown Newport News|first=William A.|last=Fox|access-date=November 3, 2018|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-8581-9|quote=Newport News is the oldest English place name of any city in the New World.|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|via=Google Books|page=7}} Several versions are recorded, and it is the subject of popular speculation locally. Probably the best-known explanation holds that when an early group of Jamestown colonists left to return to England after the Starving Time during the winter of 1609–1610 aboard a ship of Captain Christopher Newport, they encountered another fleet of supply ships under the new Governor Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, in the James River off Mulberry Island with reinforcements of men and supplies. The new governor ordered them to turn around and return to Jamestown. Under this theory, the community was named for Newport's "good news". Another possibility is that the community may have derived its name from an old English word "news" meaning "new town". At least one source claims that the "New" arose from the original settlement's being rebuilt after a fire.[http://www.mariner.org/library/research/flotsam.php#hp1 "Why Does Newport News Have Such an Odd Name?"], The Mariner's Museum website; accessed April 3, 2008.

Another source gave the original name as New Port Newce, named for a person with the name Newce and the town's place as a new seaport. The namesake, Sir William Newce, was an English soldier and originally settled in Ireland. There he had established Newcestown near Bandon, County Cork. He sailed to Virginia with Sir Francis Wyatt in October 1621 and was granted {{convert|2500|acre|ha|0}} of land. He died two days later. His brother, Capt. Thomas Newce, was given "600 acres at Kequatan, now called Elizabeth Cittie." A partner Daniel Gookin completed founding the settlement.[http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/newportnews/history/misc0000.txt "History of Newport News"], William & Mary Quarterly, 1901, scanned on Rootsweb.com; accessed April 3, 2008.

In his 1897 two-volume work Old Virginia and her Neighbors, American historian John Fiske writes:

... several old maps where the name is given as Newport Ness, being the mariner's way of saying Newport Point.Fiske Old Virginia and Her Neighbors – footnote (page 92)

{{Main|History of Newport News, Virginia|Timeline of Newport News, Virginia|Warwick County, Virginia}}

File:Warwick county va 1895.jpg in 1634]]

During the 17th century, shortly after founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, English settlers explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. In 1610, Sir Thomas Gates seized a nearby Native American village, which became known as Kecoughtan. At that time, settlers began clearing land along the James River (the eastern most section of which was called Hampton Roads) for plantations, including the present area of Newport News.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

In 1619, the area of Newport News was included in one of four huge corporations of the Virginia Company of London. It became known as Elizabeth Cittie and extended west all the way to Skiffe's Creek (currently the border between Newport News and James City County). Elizabeth Cittie included all of present-day South Hampton Roads.The Virginia Company of London, 1606–1624, by Wesley Frank Craven, Charlottesville, VA: University Press of Virginia, 1957; {{ISBN|0-8063-4555-1}}

By 1634, the English colony of Virginia consisted of a population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. It was divided into eight shires of Virginia, which were renamed as counties shortly thereafter. The area of Newport News became part of Warwick River Shire, which became Warwick County in 1637. The first courthouse was located near the shores of the James River at Warwick Town near Denbigh Plantation. In 1810, the county seat was at Denbigh.{{cite web |url=http://www.discoverourtown.com/VA/local-54079.html |title=Old Warwick County Courthouse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620081444/http://www.discoverourtown.com/VA/local-54079.html |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |work=Discover Our Town |access-date=April 25, 2008}}

File:Lee Hall.jpg, built in 1859 by Richard Lee]]

Newport News was a rural area of plantations and a small fishing village until after the American Civil War. The area that formed the present-day southern end of Newport News had long been established as an unincorporated town. After Reconstruction (the period after the American Civil War) the new City of Newport News was essentially founded by California merchant Collis P. Huntington. Huntington, one of the Big Four associated with the Central Pacific Railroad, in California, formed the western part of the country's First transcontinental railroad. He was recruited by former Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham to become a major investor and guiding light for a southern railroad. He helped complete the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway to the Ohio River in 1873.[http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/vt/viblbv00240.bioghist "Collis Huntington"], University of Virginia Library website; accessed July 24, 2015.

Huntington knew the railroad could transport coal eastbound from West Virginia's untapped natural resources. His agents began acquiring land in Warwick County in 1865. In the 1880s, he oversaw extension of the C&O's new Peninsula Subdivision, which extended from the Church Hill Tunnel in Richmond southeast down the peninsula through Williamsburg to Newport News, where the company developed coal piers on the harbor of Hampton Roads.[http://www.cohs.org Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society]; accessed April 3, 2008.On October 19, 1881, the first train to ever depart from Newport News left Lee Hall Depot on temporary tracks and arrived at Yorktown for the 'Cornwallis Surrender Centennial Celebration", a commemoration of the British defeat at the Battle of Yorktown.Lash Jester, Annie (1961). Newport News Virginia, 1607-1960. City of Newport News.

His next project was to develop Chesapeake Dry Dock & Construction Company, known from 1890 as the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. The shipbuilding was originally intended to build boats to transition goods from the rails to the seas, but would quickly grow from additional work from the US Navy, including building the two Kearsarge class battleships and the USS Illinois (BB-7) by 1900. With time, it would become the world's largest shipyard.

Construction of the railroad and establishment of the great shipyard brought thousands of workers and associated development. A rapid building boom occurred, including Hotel Warwick, churches, a newspaper, banks, and a courthouse. From 1888 to 1896, the county seat of Warwick County, Virginia was moved to Newport News area, reflecting the growing importance of the area.{{cite web |url=http://www.discoverourtown.com/VA/local-54079.html |title=Old Warwick County Courthouse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620081444/http://www.discoverourtown.com/VA/local-54079.html |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |work=Discover Our Town |access-date=April 25, 2008}} On January 16, 1896 Newport News incorporated as an independent city, fully separate of Warwick County.{{cite encyclopedia |url= http://encyclopediavirginia.org/Cities_of_Virginia |title=Cities of Virginia: Newport News |encyclopedia= Encyclopedia Virginia |publisher=Virginia Foundation for the Humanities |location=Charlottesville |access-date=May 11, 2017 }} It was one of only a few cities in Virginia to be newly established without earlier incorporation as a town. (Virginia has had an independent city political subdivision since 1871.) Walter A. Post served as the city's first mayor.{{cite web|title=Newport News History Timeline |url=http://www.nngov.com/library/nnhistory |website=Newport News Public Library System |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714190229/http://www.nngov.com/library/nnhistory |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

In 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt sent the Great White Fleet on its round-the-world voyage. NNS had already built seven of that fleet's 16 battleships. In 1906 the revolutionary HMS Dreadnought launched a great additional naval buildup worldwide, and the Newport News would directly benefit from that work, leading all the way up to World War I.

From 1912 to 1914, Collis Huntingon's nephew, Henry E. Huntington, assumed leadership of the shipyard. Huntington Park, developed after World War I near the northern terminus of the James River Bridge, is named for him.[http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/about/history.html "History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216183327/http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/about/history.html |date=December 16, 2005 }}, Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding. Accessed April 3, 2008.

Albert Lloyd Hopkins, president of Newport News Shipbuilding at that time, was killed May 7, 1915 while traveling to England on shipyard business aboard RMS Lusitania, which was torpedoed by a German submarine. Homer L. Ferguson became president of the company, and would see it through both World Wars. During World War I, Newport News was headquarters to the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation. Between 1918 and 1920 NNS delivered 25 destroyers to the US Navy.

The city grew in territory through the annexation of parts of Warwick County and also of the town of Kecoughtan in adjoining Elizabeth City County in 1927.{{Cite web |last=Bains |first=David R. |date=2022-08-17 |title=Town of Kecoughtan, Virginia |url=https://chasingchurches.com/2022/08/17/town-of-kecoughtan-virginia/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Chasing Churches |language=en}}

Collis Huntington's son, Archer M. Huntington and his wife, sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, developed the Mariners' Museum beginning in 1932. They created a natural park and the community's Mariners' Lake in the process. A major feature of Newport News, the Mariners' Museum has grown to become one of the largest and finest maritime museums in the world.[http://www.amnumsoc.org/archives/HuntingtonBio.htm Archer M. Huntington (1870–1955)] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20040625000539/http://www.amnumsoc.org/archives/HuntingtonBio.htm |date=June 25, 2004 }}. Retrieved July 21, 2005

File:Washington Avenue in the 1940s.jpg

File:Launch of USS Birmingham (CL-62) at Newport News Shipbuilding on 20 March 1942 (NH 75592).jpg is launched from the Newport News yards in 1942]]

In World War II, Newport News would again be the headquarters for the reactivated Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation.

Although fashionable housing and businesses developed in downtown, the increase in industry and the development of new suburbs pushed and pulled retail and residential development to the west and north after World War II. Such suburban development was aided by national subsidization of highway construction and was part of a national trend to newer housing.

In 1958, the citizenry of the cities of Warwick and Newport News voted by referendum to consolidate the two cities, choosing to assume the better-known name of Newport News. The merger created the third largest city by population in Virginia, with a {{convert|65|sqmi|km2|0}} area. The boundaries of the City of Newport News today are essentially the boundaries of the original Warwick River Shire and the traditional one of Warwick County, with the exception of minor border adjustments with neighbors.Scott, Thomas M. "Metropolitan Governmental Reorganization Proposals", The Western Political Quarterly, Vol. 21, No. 2 (Jun. 1968), pp. 252–261 {{doi|10.2307/446305}}.

In July 1989, the United States Navy commissioned the third naval vessel named after the city with the entry of the Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine {{USS|Newport News|SSN-750|6}}, built at Newport News Shipbuilding, into active service. The ship was initially commanded by CDR. Mark B. Keef; the city held a public celebration of the event, which was attended by Vice President of the United States Dan Quayle. In conjunction with this milestone, a song was written by a city native and formally adopted by Newport News City Council in July 1989. The lyrics appear with permission from the author:

(First verse): Harbor of a thousand ships/Forger of a nation's fleet/Gateway to the New World/Where ocean and river meet
(Chorus): Strength wrought from steel/And a people's fortitude/Such is the timeless legacy/Of a place called Newport News
(Second verse): Nestled in a blessed land/Gifted with a special view/Forever home for ev'ry man/With a spirit proud and true
(repeat chorus to fade)

Despite city efforts at large-scale revitalization, by the beginning of the 21st century, the downtown area consisted largely of the coal export facilities, the shipyard, and municipal offices. It is bordered by some harbor-related smaller businesses and lower income housing.[http://epa.gov/swerosps/bf/html-doc/snewnews.htm "Brownfields Supplemental Assistance"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030301115211/http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/html-doc/snewnews.htm |date=March 1, 2003 }}, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, May 2002.

The city began to explore New Urbanism as a way to develop areas midtown. City Center at Oyster Point was developed out of a small portion of the Oyster Point Business Park. It opened in phases from 2003 through 2005. The city invested $82 million of public funding in the project.[http://www.citycenteratoysterpoint.com/newsletter/pdf/daily_press_editorial.pdf Editorial: "Changing Place"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513192359/http://www.citycenteratoysterpoint.com/newsletter/pdf/daily_press_editorial.pdf |date=May 13, 2008 }}, Daily Press (Newport News, VA). June 5, 2005, accessed May 9, 2008. Closely following Oyster Point, Port Warwick opened as an urban residential community in the new midtown business district. Fifteen hundred people now reside in the Port Warwick area. It includes a {{convert|3|acre|ha|1|adj=on}} city square where festivals and events take place.[http://www.portwarwick.com/portwarwick.html About Port Warwick] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510140531/http://www.portwarwick.com/portwarwick.html |date=May 10, 2008 }}, PortWarwick.com; accessed May 9, 2008.

In January 2023, a six-year-old shot his teacher Abby Zwerner in an elementary school in Newport News.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=Virginia teacher who was shot by six-year-old tried to confiscate gun – report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/09/virginia-teacher-shot-newport-news-richneck-elementary-abby-zwerner |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

File:Newport news norfolk portsmouth rotated.jpg, Portsmouth and Norfolk, from space, July 1996. Newport News is seen in the upper-left quadrant.]]

Newport News is located at {{Coord|37|4|15|N|76|29|4|W|type:city}} (37.071046, −76.484557). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|120|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|69|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|51|sqmi|km2}} (42.4%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}

The city is located at the Peninsula side of Hampton Roads in the Tidewater region of Virginia, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area (officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA) is the 37th largest in the nation with a 2014 population estimate of 1,716,624. The area includes the Virginia cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, and the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Surry, and York, as well as the North Carolina counties of Currituck and Gates. Newport News serves as one of the business centers on the Peninsula. The city of Norfolk is recognized as the central business district, while the Virginia Beach oceanside resort district and Williamsburg are primarily centers of tourism.

Newport News shares land borders with James City County on the northwest, York County on the north and northeast, and Hampton on the east. Newport News shares water borders with Portsmouth on the southeast and Suffolk on the south across the Hampton Roads Area, and Isle of Wight County on the southwest and west and Surry County on the northwest across the James River.

File:Newport News Victory Arch, 25th St. and West Ave., Newport News, VA (April 2006).jpg in downtown Newport News]]

The city's downtown area was part of the earliest developed area which was initially incorporated as an independent city in 1896. The earlier city portions also included the "East End" or "Southeast" community, which was predominantly black American, the "North End" and the shipyard and coal piers. The town of Kecoughtan in Elizabeth City County was annexed by Newport News in 1927, extending the city along Hampton Roads from Salter's Creek to Pear Avenue. After World War II, public housing projects and lower income housing were built to improve housing in what came to be known as the East End or "The Bottom" by locals. The city expanded primarily westward where land was available and highways were built. While the shipyard and coal facilities, and other smaller harbor-oriented businesses have remained vibrant, the downtown area went into substantial decline. Crime problems have plagued the nearby lower-income residential areas.

File:First Baptist Church Newport News.jpg

West of the traditional downtown area, another early portion of the city was developed as Huntington Heights. In modern times been called the North End. Developed primarily between 1900 and 1935, North End features a wealth of architectural styles and eclectic vernacular building designs. Extending along west to the James River Bridge approaches, it includes scenic views of the river. A well-preserved community, the North End is an historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.[http://historichamptonroads.com/huntington_heights.htm Huntington Heights on the Hampton Roads history and penny postcard tour]; accessed April 3, 2008.

The 1958 merger by mutual agreement with the City of Warwick removed the political boundary, which was adjacent to Mercury Boulevard. This major north–south roadway carries U.S. Route 258 between the James River Bridge and the Coliseum-Central area of adjacent Hampton. At the time, the county was mostly rural, although along Warwick Boulevard north of the Mercury Boulevard, Hilton Village was developed during World War I as a planned community. Beyond this point to the west, much of the city takes on a suburban nature. Many neighborhoods have been developed, some around a number of former small towns. Miles of waterfront along the James River, and tributaries such as Deep Creek and Lucas Creek, are occupied by higher-end single family homes. In many sections, wooded land and farms gave way to subdivisions. Even at the northwestern reaches, furthest from the traditional downtown area, some residential development has occurred. Much land has been set aside for natural protection, with recreational and historical considerations. Along with some newer residential areas, major features of the northwestern end include the reservoirs of the Newport News Water System (which include much of the Warwick River), the expansive Newport News Park, a number of public schools, and the military installations of Fort Eustis and a small portion of the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

At the extreme northwestern edge adjacent to Skiffe's Creek and the border with James City County is the Lee Hall community, which retains historical features including the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station which served tens of thousands of soldiers based at what became nearby Fort Eustis during World War I and World War II. The larger-than-normal rural two-story frame depot is highly valued by rail fans and rail preservationists.[http://www.leehalldepot.org Lee Hall Depot webpage], leehalldepot.org; accessed April 3, 2008.

File:Town Center Drive in City Center Oyster Point, October 2012.jpg, October 2012]]

In downtown Newport News, the Victory Arch, built to commemorate the Great War, sits on the downtown waterfront. The "Eternal Flame" under the arch was cast by Womack Foundry, Inc. in the 1960s. It was hand crafted by the Foundry's founder and president, Ernest D. Womack. The downtown area has a number of landmarks and architecturally interesting buildings, which for some time were mostly abandoned in favor of building new areas in the northwest areas of the city (a strategy aided by tax incentives in the postwar years).

City leaders are working to bring new life into this area, by renovating and building new homes and attracting businesses. The completion of Interstate 664 restored the area to access and through traffic which had been largely rerouted with the completion of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel connecting neighboring Hampton with the Southside in 1958 and discontinuance of the Newport News-Norfolk ferry service at that time. The larger capacity Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and the rebuilt James River Bridge each restored some accessibility and through traffic to the downtown area.[http://www.roadstothefuture.com/I664_VA_Desc.html I-664] Roads to the Future; accessed April 3, 2008{{cite web|url= http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/AADT_046_IsleofWight_2005.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.virginiadot.org/info/resources/AADT_046_IsleofWight_2005.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=2005 Virginia Department of Transportation Jurisdiction Report – Daily Traffic Volume Estimates – Isle of Wight County }} {{small|(219 KB)}} Accessed April 3, 2008.

File:Oyster Point1.jpg]]

Much of the newer commercial development has been along the Warwick Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue corridors, with newer planned industrial, commercial, and mixed development such as Oyster Point, Kiln Creek and the City Center. While the downtown area had long been the area of the city that offered the traditional urban layout, the city has supported a number of New Urbanism projects. One is Port Warwick, named after the fictional city in William Styron's novel, Lie Down in Darkness. Port Warwick includes housing for a broad variety of citizens, from retired persons to off-campus housing for Christopher Newport University students. Also included are several high-end restaurants and upscale shopping.[http://www.portwarwick.com Port Warwick webpage], portwarwick.com; accessed April 3, 2008.

City Center at Oyster Point, located near Port Warwick, has been touted as the new "downtown"{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} because of its new geographic centrality on the Virginia Peninsula, its proximity to the retail/business nucleus of the city, etc. Locally, it is often called simply "City Center".[http://www.citycenteratoysterpoint.com City Center at Oyster Point], citycenteratoysterpoint.com; accessed April 3, 2008. Nearby, the Virginia Living Museum recently completed a $22.6 million expansion plan.{{cite web|last1=Erickson|first1=Mark St. John|title=Virginia Living Museum timeline|url=http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/dp-ticket-vlmtimeline-htmlstory.html|website=dailypress.com|publisher=Daily Press|access-date=December 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226215114/http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/dp-ticket-vlmtimeline-htmlstory.html|archive-date=December 26, 2016|url-status=live|date=May 5, 2016}}

Newport News is also home to a small Korean ethnic enclave on Warwick Boulevard near the Denbigh neighborhood on the northern end of the city. Although it lacks the density and character of larger, more established enclaves, it has been referred to as "Little Seoul"—being the commercial center for the Hampton Roads Korean community.{{cite web|last=Vegh|first=Steven G.|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/little-seoul-warwick-boulevard|title=A little 'Seoul' on Warwick Boulevard|publisher=HamptonRoads.com|date=November 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725075547/http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/little-seoul-warwick-boulevard|archive-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 30, 2013}}

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2015}}

File:Hilton Village Post Ave Looking Towards Warwick Blvd.jpg

Newport News has many distinctive communities and neighborhoods within its boundaries, including Brandon Heights, Brentwood, City Center, Colony Pines, Christopher Shores-Stuart Gardens, Denbigh, Glendale, East End, Hidenwood, Hilton Village, Hunter's Glenn, Beaconsdale, Ivy Farms, North End Huntington Heights (Historic District – roughly from 50th to 75th street, along the James River), Jefferson Avenue Park, Kiln Creek, Lee Hall, Menchville, Maxwell Gardens, Morrison (also known as Gum Grove), Newmarket Village, Newsome Park, Oyster Point, Parkview, old North Newport News (Center Ave. area), Port Warwick, Richneck, Riverside, Shore Park, Summerlake, Village Green, Windsor Great Park and Warwick. Some of these neighborhoods are located in the former City of Warwick and Warwick County.

Newport News is located in the humid subtropical climate zone, with cool to mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Due to the inland location, throughout the year, highs are {{convert|2|to|3|F-change|C-change|1}} warmer and lows {{convert|1|to|2|F-change|C-change|1}} cooler than areas to the southeast. Snowfall averages {{convert|5.8|in|cm}} per season, and the summer months tend to be slightly wetter. The geographic location of the city, with respect to the principal storm tracks, favours fair weather, as it is south of the average path of storms originating in the higher latitudes, and north of the usual tracks of hurricanes and other major tropical storms.Information from [http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/vaclimohur.htm NOAA], wpc.ncep.noaa.gov; accessed July 24, 2015.

{{Weather box

|location = Newport News, Virginia (1981–2010 normals)

|single line = Y

|Jan high F = 49.5

|Feb high F = 52.9

|Mar high F = 60.7

|Apr high F = 71.1

|May high F = 78.5

|Jun high F = 86.2

|Jul high F = 89.6

|Aug high F = 87.4

|Sep high F = 82.2

|Oct high F = 72.5

|Nov high F = 63.3

|Dec high F = 53.4

|year high F =70.6

|Jan low F = 31.8

|Feb low F = 32.6

|Mar low F = 39.5

|Apr low F = 47.8

|May low F = 57.0

|Jun low F = 66.3

|Jul low F = 70.3

|Aug low F = 68.8

|Sep low F = 62.7

|Oct low F = 51.7

|Nov low F = 43.0

|Dec low F = 34.6

|year low F =50.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.33

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.01

|Mar precipitation inch = 3.44

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.33

|May precipitation inch = 3.74

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.81

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.71

|Aug precipitation inch = 5.35

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.79

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.47

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.08

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.38

|year precipitation inch=

|Jan snow inch = 2.4

|Feb snow inch = 2.1

|Mar snow inch = 0.3

|Apr snow inch = 0

|May snow inch = 0

|Jun snow inch = 0

|Jul snow inch = 0

|Aug snow inch = 0

|Sep snow inch = 0

|Oct snow inch = 0

|Nov snow inch = 0

|Dec snow inch = 1.0

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.4

|Feb precipitation days = 9.5

|Mar precipitation days = 10.6

|Apr precipitation days = 10.1

|May precipitation days = 10.6

|Jun precipitation days = 9.9

|Jul precipitation days = 11.1

|Aug precipitation days = 10.1

|Sep precipitation days = 8.8

|Oct precipitation days = 7.6

|Nov precipitation days = 8.5

|Dec precipitation days = 9.8

|year precipitation days=116.8

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 1.6

|Feb snow days = 1.3

|Mar snow days = 0.4

|Apr snow days = 0.1

|May snow days = 0

|Jun snow days = 0

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0

|Oct snow days = 0

|Nov snow days = 0

|Dec snow days = 0.5

|Jan sun = 170.5

|Feb sun = 178.0

|Mar sun = 229.4

|Apr sun = 252.0

|May sun = 272.8

|Jun sun = 279.0

|Jul sun = 279.0

|Aug sun = 260.4

|Sep sun = 231.0

|Oct sun = 207.7

|Nov sun = 177.0

|Dec sun = 161.2

|source 1 = NOAA (temperature and total precipitation normals at Newport News Int'l, all others at Norfolk Int'l),{{cite web |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=akq |title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = February 19, 2013}} HKO (sun only 1961–1990){{cite web |url = http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/n_america/us/norfolk_va_e.htm |title = Climatological Normals of Norfolk |access-date = June 15, 2010 |publisher = Hong Kong Observatory |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120119014405/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/n_america/us/norfolk_va_e.htm |archive-date = January 19, 2012 |url-status = dead}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 1234

|1900= 19635

|1910= 20205

|1920= 35596

|1930= 34417

|1940= 37067

|1950= 42358

|1960= 113788

|1970= 138177

|1980= 144903

|1990= 170045

|2000= 180150

|2010= 180719

|2020= 186247

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing from 1790|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 24, 2022}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 2, 2014}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/va190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2014}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=2010-03-27 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 2, 2014}}
2018 Estimate{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 8, 2018}} 2020

}}

File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Newport News (5559847663).png

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2010, there were 180,719 people, 69,686 households, and 46,341 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,637.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 74,117 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,085.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 49.0% White, 40.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.5% of the population (2.5% Puerto Rican, 2.5% Mexican, 0.4% Cuban, 0.3% Panamanian, 0.2% Dominican, 0.2% Guatemalan, 0.2% Honduran).

There were 69,686 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution is: 27.5% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,597, and the median income for a family was $42,520. Males had a median income of $31,275 versus $22,310 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,843. About 11.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Newport News experienced 20 murders giving the city a murder rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people in 2005. In 2006, there were 19 murders giving the city a rate of 10.5 per 100,000 people. In 2007 the city had 28 murders with a rate of 15.8 per 100,000 people.

The total crime index rate for Newport News is 434.7; the United States average is 320.9.{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Newport-News-Virginia.html|title=Newport News, Virginia (VA) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders|website=www.city-data.com}} According to the Congressional Quarterly Press' "2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America," Newport News ranked as the 119th most dangerous city larger than 75,000 inhabitants.[http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime2008/citycrime2008.htm CQ Press: City Crime Rankings 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607114443/http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime2008/citycrime2008.htm |date=June 7, 2010 }} The neighborhood with the highest crime rates in Newport News is the East End.

File:Newport News Shipyard, aerial view, Oct 1994.jpeg & Drydock shipyard on the James River]]

Among the city's major industries are shipbuilding, military, and aerospace. Newport News Shipbuilding, owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries,[http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/about/overview.html Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509165300/http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/about/overview.html |date=May 9, 2008 }} Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding. Accessed April 3, 2008. and the large coal piers supplied by railroad giant CSX Transportation, the modern Fortune 500 successor to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O). Miles of the waterfront can be seen by automobiles crossing the James River Bridge and Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, which is a portion of the circumferential Hampton Roads Beltway, linking the city with each of the other major cities of Hampton Roads via Interstate 664 and Interstate 64. Many U.S. defensive industry suppliers are based in Newport News, and these and nearby military bases employ many residents, in addition to those working at the shipyard and in other harbor-related vocations.

Newport News plays a role in the maritime industry. At the end of CSX railroad tracks lies the Newport News Marine Terminal. Covering {{convert|140|acre|km2}}, the Terminal has heavy-lift cranes, warehouse capabilities, and container cranes.[http://www.vaports.com/Facilities/FAC-term-nnmt.htm Newport News Marine Terminal] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20051212232904/http://www.vaports.com/Facilities/FAC-term-nnmt.htm |date=December 12, 2005 }} Virginia Port Authority. Accessed April 2, 2008

{{Further|Icelandic USA}}

Newport News' location next to Hampton Roads along with its rail network has provided advantages for the city. The city houses two industrial parks which enabled manufacturing and distribution to take root in the city. As technology-oriented companies flourished in the 1990s, Newport News became a regional center for technology companies.[http://www.newportnewsva.com/site_selection/economy/econbase.htm Economy – Economic Base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007184736/http://www.newportnewsva.com/site_selection/economy/econbase.htm |date=October 7, 2008 }} Newport News Economic Development Authority. Accessed April 30, 2008.

Additional companies headquartered out of Newport News include Ferguson Enterprises and L-3 Flight International Aviation.[http://www.ferguson.com/AboutUs/about_index.shtml About Us] Ferguson Enterprises Accessed April 3, 2008.[http://www.l-3com.com/fi/ L-3 Flight International Aviation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402094833/http://www.l-3com.com/fi/ |date=April 2, 2008 }} L-3 Accessed April 3, 2008

Newport News Shipbuilding serves as the city's largest employer with over 24,000 employees. Fort Eustis employs over 10,000, making it the second largest employer in the city. Newport News School System creates over 5,000 jobs and acts as the city's third largest employer.[http://www.newportnewsva.com/site_selection/economy/econemp.htm Economy – Largest Employers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305164903/http://www.newportnewsva.com/site_selection/economy/econemp.htm |date=March 5, 2007 }} Newport News City Economic Development Authority. Accessed April 30, 2008.

File:Ferguson Enterprises New Corporate Headquarters.jpg' new corporate headquarters in City Center at Oyster Point]]

Established during World War I at historic Mulberry Island, the base at Fort Eustis in modern times houses the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and other activities.[http://www.eustis.army.mil/ Fort Eustis Home Page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411115404/http://www.eustis.army.mil/ |date=April 11, 2007 }} U.S. Army. Accessed April 4, 2008. In adjacent localities, other U.S. military facilities include Langley Air Force Base, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Camp Peary, USCG Training Center Yorktown and the now-deactivated Fort Monroe. Other installations are located across the James River in South Hampton Roads, including the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk.[http://www.cnrma.navy.mil/nwsyorktown// NWS Yorktown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324202416/http://www.cnrma.navy.mil/nwsyorktown/ |date=March 24, 2008 }} U.S. Navy. Accessed April 4, 2008

Research and education play a role in the city's economy. The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) is housed in Newport News. TJNAF employs over 675 people and more than 2,000 scientists from around the world conduct research using the facility. Formerly named the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), its stated mission is "to provide forefront scientific facilities, opportunities and leadership essential for discovering the fundamental structure of nuclear matter; to partner in industry to apply its advanced technology; and to serve the nation and its communities through education and public outreach."{{cite web|author=Ware, Linda|title=Jefferson Lab scientists set to test germ-killing fabrics|publisher=Argonne, IL: Lightsources.org|date=September 26, 2005|work=Press Release PR-JLAB-05-4|url=http://www.lightsources.org/cms/?pid=1000854|access-date=October 3, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708133853/http://www.lightsources.org/cms/?pid=1000854|archive-date=July 8, 2007|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Culture of Newport News, Virginia}}

File:The Mariners' Museum - Newport News, Virginia.jpg]]

People who have grown up in the Hampton Roads area have a unique Tidewater accent which is found among natives of Eastern Virginia and Maryland. Vowels have a longer pronunciation than in most accents.{{Cite web |date=2013-12-22 |title=What's Your Dialect? |url=https://www.outsidethebeltway.com/whats-your-dialect/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Outside the Beltway |language=en}}

Near the city's western end, a historic C&O railroad station, as well as American Civil War battle sites near historic Lee Hall along U.S. Route 60 and several plantations dating to the 19th century have all been protected. Many are located along the roads leading to Yorktown and Williamsburg, where many sites of the Historic Triangle are of both American Revolutionary War and Civil War significance. The first modern duel of ironclad warships, the Battle of Hampton Roads, took place not far off Newport News Point in 1862.*Milton, Keith. "Duel at Hampton Roads." Military Heritage. December 2001. Volume 3, No. 3: 38–45, 97 (Ironclads C.S.A. Virginia (also known as Merrimack) versus the Union Monitor of the Civil War).

Recovered artifacts from USS Monitor are displayed at the Mariners' Museum, one of the more notable museums of its type in the world. The museum's collection totals approximately 32,000 artifacts, international in scope, which include ship models, scrimshaw, maritime paintings, decorative arts, figureheads and engines. The museum also owns and maintains a 550-acre park on which is located the Noland Trail, and the 167-acre Mariners' Lake.[http://marinersmuseum.org/visitor-information/museum-history The Mariners' Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926161100/http://marinersmuseum.org/visitor-information/museum-history |date=September 26, 2013 }} "Museum History"

The Virginia War Museum covers American military history. The museum's collection includes weapons, vehicles, artifacts, uniforms and posters from various periods of American history. Highlights of the museum's collection include a section of the Berlin Wall and the outer wall from Dachau Concentration Camp.[http://www.warmuseum.org/Exhibits.htm Exhibits] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225040652/http://www.warmuseum.org/Exhibits.htm |date=February 25, 2009 }} Virginia War Museum. Accessed April 3, 2008.

The Peninsula Fine Arts Center contains a rotating gallery of art exhibits. The center also maintains a permanent "Hands on For Kids" gallery designed for children and families to interact in what the center describes as "a fun, educational environment that encourages participation with art materials and concepts."{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081013022054/http://www.pfac-va.org/hofka.html Hands on For Kids Gallery]}} Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Accessed April 3, 2008.

PFAC, which had been open for 58 years, closed at the end of 2020,{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Matt|title=Peninsula Fine Arts Center will close at end of year as CNU takeover enters final stages|url=https://www.dailypress.com/news/education/dp-nw-pfac-cnu-closure-agreement-20200904-vbfvpumcvvdwpkcs4stb4my3pe-story.html|access-date=2021-04-16|website=dailypress.com|date=September 4, 2020 }} as its merger with Christopher Newport University's new addition to the Ferguson Center to house the arts center is completed.

File:C7Caribou Fort Eustis 2008.JPG at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis, Virginia]]

The U.S. Army Transportation Museum is a United States Army museum of vehicles and other U.S. Army transportation-related equipment and memorabilia. Located on the grounds of Fort Eustis, The museum reflects the history of the Army, especially of the United States Army Transportation Corps and includes close to 100 military vehicles such as land vehicles, watercraft and rolling stock, including stock from the Fort Eustis Military Railroad. It is officially dedicated to General Frank S. Besson, Jr., who was the first four-star general to lead the transportation command,{{cite web|url=http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/Museum/Besson.htm |work=U.S. Army Transportation Museum site |title=Frank Besson page |access-date=March 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314111512/http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/Museum/Besson.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2008 }} and extends over {{convert|6|acre|m2}} of land, air and sea vehicles and indoor exhibits. The exhibits cover transportation and its role in US Army operations, including topic areas from the American Revolutionary War through operations in Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/Museum/museum.html |work=U.S. Army Transportation Museum site |title=main page |access-date=March 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302112911/http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/museum/museum.html |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}

The Ferguson Center for the Arts is a theater and concert hall on the campus of Christopher Newport University. The complex fully opened in September 2005 and contains three distinct, separate concert halls: the Concert Hall, the Music and Theatre Hall, and the Studio Theatre.[http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/about.html Our Mission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516025849/http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/about.html |date=May 16, 2008 }} The Ferguson Center of the Arts; accessed April 3, 2008.

File:Driftwood Art - Flickr - Tobyotter.jpg

The Port Warwick area hosts the annual Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival where art vendors gather in Styron Square to show and sell their art. Judges have the chance to name artwork best of the Festival.[http://www.pwartfest.org/about.html About Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509184142/http://www.pwartfest.org/about.html |date=May 9, 2008 }} Port Warwick Art and Sculpture Festival; accessed April 3, 2008.

The Virginia Living Museum is an outdoor living museum combining aspects of a native wildlife park, science museum, aquarium, botanical preserve, and planetarium.{{cite web|url=http://www.thevlm.org/aboutus/index.php|title=About Us|work=The Virginia Living Museum|access-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617100627/http://www.thevlm.org/aboutus/index.php|archive-date=June 17, 2008}}

{{Main|List of parks in Newport News, Virginia|Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism}}

File:Huntington Park Fort Fun 011.jpg]]

Newport News Parks is responsible for the maintenance of 32 city parks. The smallest is less than half an acre (2,000 m²). The largest, Newport News Park, is {{convert|7711|acre|km2}}.{{cite web |title=Parks, Squares & Plazas |url=https://www.nnva.gov/894/Parks-Squares-Plazas |website=Newport News, VA - Official Website |publisher=City of Newport News, VA |access-date=January 4, 2020}} They are scattered throughout the city, from Endview Plantation in the northern end of the city to King-Lincoln Park in the southern end near the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. The parks offer services to visitors, ranging from traditional park services like camping and fishing to activities like archery and disc golf.[http://www.nngov.com/parks-and-recreation/parkspage Parks, Squares, and Plazas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513153115/http://www.nngov.com/parks-and-recreation/parkspage |date=May 13, 2008 }} Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism; accessed April 3, 2008.

Newport News Park is in the northern part of the city. The city's golf course lies in the park along with camping and outdoor activities. There are over {{convert|30|mi|km}} of trails in the Newport News Park complex. It has a {{convert|5.3|mi|km}} multi-use bike path. The park offers bicycle and helmet rental, and requires helmet use by children under 14. Newport News Park offers an archery range, disc golf course, and an "aeromodel flying field" for remote-controlled aircraft, complete with a {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on}} runway.[http://www.nnparks.com/parks_nn.php Newport News Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618055156/http://www.nnparks.com/parks_nn.php |date=June 18, 2007 }} Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism; accessed April 3, 2008.

The city supplies two public boat ramps for its citizens: Denbigh Park Boat Ramp and Hilton Pier/Ravine.

Denbigh Park allows access into the Warwick River, a tributary of the James River. Denbigh Park also offers a small fishing pier. Hilton Pier offers a small beach in addition to a ravine. Croaker and trout are the fish primarily caught during the summer months and the pier is accessible to visitors in wheelchairs."Hilton Pier Dedicated," Daily Press (Newport News, VA) July 10, 2005, B1-B2{{Cite web |url=http://www.nngov.com/parks-and-recreation/downloads/tabloidpage45 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5lnEBcXZ8?url=http://www.nngov.com/parks-and-recreation/downloads/tabloidpage45 |url-status=dead |title=Parks Division |archive-date=December 5, 2009}}

Newport News has been the home to sports franchises, including the semi-pro football Mason Dixon League's former teams Peninsula Pirates, Peninsula Poseidons, and the Virginia Crusaders.[http://www.masondixonfootball.org/about.html About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090221011206/http://www.masondixonfootball.org/about.html |date=February 21, 2009 }} Mason Dixon Football League

Currently, Christopher Newport University Captains field fourteen sports and compete in the Capital Athletic Conference in Division III of the NCAA.[http://www.cnusports.com/ CNU Athletics] Christopher Newport University; accessed February 26, 2017.

High school sports (especially football) play a large role in the city's culture. The city's stadium, John B. Todd Stadium, houses five high schools’ worth of football games usually spread over Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The stadium also holds the schools' track and field meets.[http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/resources/athletics/football2005.pdf Todd Stadium 2005 Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409222449/http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/resources/athletics/football2005.pdf |date=April 9, 2008 }} Newport News Public Schools. Accessed April 17, 2008.[http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/resources/athletics Athletics, Newport News Public Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730093454/http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/resources/athletics/ |date=July 30, 2008 }}, sbo.nn.k12.va.us; accessed April 17, 2008.

The city is also home to Lionsbridge FC, an American soccer club (USL League Two), which plays at Christopher Newport University during the summer months. [https://www.lionsbridgefc.com/ Lionsbridge FC]

Additional sports options can be found just outside Newport News. On the collegiate level, the College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University offer NCAA Division I athletics. Virginia Wesleyan College also provides sports at the NCAA Division III level. The Peninsula Pilots play just outside the city limits at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton. The Pilots play in the Coastal Plain League, a summer baseball league. In Norfolk, the Norfolk Tides of the International League and the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. In Virginia Beach, the Hampton Roads Piranhas field men's and women's professional soccer teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolktides.com/|title=Norfolk Tides|access-date=February 16, 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vwc.edu/athletics/ |title=VWC Marlins |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125110659/http://www.vwc.edu/athletics/ |archive-date=January 25, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hrpiranhas.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819143449/http://www.hrpiranhas.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 19, 2000|title=Hampton Roads Piranhas|access-date=April 4, 2008}} The Atlantic 10 Conference had been headquartered in Newport News since 2009.{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Atlantic 10 Conference to Relocate League Headquarters to Washington, D.C. |url=https://atlantic10.com/news/2023/9/6/about-the-atlantic-10-atlantic-10-conference-to-relocate-league-headquarters-to-washington-d-c.aspx |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Atlantic 10}}

The city has hosted a marathon annually since 2015. The One City Marathon was hosted virtually in 2021.{{Cite web|title=One City Marathon {{!}} Newport News, VA|url=https://www.onecitymarathon.com/|access-date=2021-04-16|language=en-US}} The course spans the length of Newport News and begins in Newport News Park. It ends at the Victory Arch downtown, and the course weaves through Mariners' Museum Park, CNU and Hilton Village. [https://www.onecitymarathon.com/marathon/ The course is USTAF certified and can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon]. There also is a half marathon, relay, 8K and one-mile fun run.

File:Newport News Federal Building, 26th St. and West Ave., Newport News, VA April 1st, 2006 (3).jpg

Newport News is an independent city with services that counties and cities in Virginia provide, such as courts and social services. Newport News has both a police department and a city sheriff's department.{{Cite web |title=Police Department {{!}} Newport News, VA - Official Website |url=https://www.nnva.gov/police |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.nnva.gov}}{{Cite web |title=Sheriff's Office {{!}} Newport News, VA - Official Website |url=https://www.nnva.gov/sheriff |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=www.nnva.gov}}

Newport News operates under a council-manager form of government, which consists of a city council with representatives from three districts serving in a legislative and oversight capacity, as well as a popularly elected, at-large mayor. The city manager serves as head of the executive branch and supervises all city departments and executing policies adopted by the council. Citizens in the three wards elect two council representatives each to serve a four-year term. The city council meets at City Hall twice a month and, as of January 2023, consisted of Mayor Phillip Jones, Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III, John R. Eley III, Dr. Patricia "Pat" Woodbury, Tina L. Vick, Cleon M. Long and Marcellus L. Harris III. As of December 18, 2023, Alan Archer is the City Manager.

Newport News has a federal courthouse for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. A new courthouse will be constructed in the future.[http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/locations/npn.htm U.S. Courts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516063536/http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov/locations/npn.htm |date=May 16, 2008 }} – Newport News courthouse. U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia; accessed April 3, 2008. Additionally, Newport News has its own General District and Circuit Courts which convene downtown.[http://www.nngov.com/circuit-court Newport News Circuit Court] City of Newport News; accessed April 3, 2008. The city is in the {{ushr|Virginia|3}}, served by U.S. Representative Robert C. Scott.

File:NewportNewsVirginia2016PresidentialElection.png

Prior to 1956, Newport News voted in line with a Solid South county except for 1928 when anti-Catholic voting boosted Herbert Hoover to a victory in the county & statewide. From 1956 to 2004, it became a swing county, but became increasingly Democratic towards the end of that stretch. Since 2008, it has become solidly Democratic. In each presidential election from 2008 on, Democratic candidates have won at least 60% of the county's vote while no Republican candidate has cracked 40%. In 2020, Donald Trump achieved the lowest Republican vote share at a presidential election in the city since 1948.

{{PresHead|place=Newport News, Virginia|source={{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|26,385|48,169|1,355|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|26,377|53,099|1,727|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|25,468|45,618|4,551|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|27,230|51,100|1,114|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|28,667|51,972|656|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|32,208|35,319|425|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|27,006|29,779|1,040|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|23,072|27,678|3,538|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|26,779|25,743|8,569|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|32,570|21,413|412|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|33,614|21,834|250|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|22,423|22,066|2,493|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|20,914|23,058|520|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|27,169|12,233|910|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|12,774|13,370|10,925|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|10,584|15,296|14|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|10,098|8,678|79|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,779|3,069|247|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,769|4,051|23|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,453|3,420|366|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,237|4,051|21|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|863|3,907|29|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|919|4,021|22|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,515|2,703|86|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,118|1,951|0|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|917|1,574|292|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|1,450|1,703|50|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|465|939|61|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|100|938|291|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|498|788|30|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|335|744|62|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,108|1,896|43|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|815|676|25|Virginia}}

{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,542|4,479|98|Virginia}}

{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|3,198|2,613|25|Virginia}}

File:CNU Entrance.jpg, featuring the York River Hall, the Trible Library, and the Pope Chapel.]]

The main provider of primary and secondary education in the city is Newport News Public Schools. The school system includes many elementary schools, six middle schools, and the high schools, Denbigh High School, Heritage High School, Menchville High School, Warwick High School, and Woodside High School. All middle, high schools, and elementary schools are fully accredited. Dutrow Elementary is an example of an elementary school that offers a Talented and Gifted program for fifth graders or rising sixth graders. Crittenden Middle School offers a STEM magnet program to students throughout the district, preparing them for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Warwick High School is widely known for its IB program to prepare students at all grade levels for college course levels of thinking.{{cite web|url=http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/schools/accreditation/accred-2008-09.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/schools/accreditation/accred-2008-09.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Virginia Accreditation Status|access-date=February 6, 2009|publisher=Newport News Public Schools}}

Several private schools are located in the area, including Denbigh Baptist Christian School, Hampton Roads Academy, Peninsula Catholic High School, and Trinity Lutheran School.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

The city contains Christopher Newport University, a public university. Other nearby public universities include Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and The College of William and Mary and also is home to the private ECPI University. Hampton University, a private university, also sits a few miles from the city limits. Newport News Shipbuilding operates The Apprentice School, a vocational school teaching various shipyard and related trades.{{Cite web|url=http://www.as.edu/|title=The Apprentice School|access-date=June 26, 2018}}

Virginia Peninsula Community College serves as the community college. Located in neighboring Hampton and in nearby Williamsburg, Virginia Peninsula offers college and career training programs. Most institutions in the Hampton Roads areas are home to a variety of students but commuter students make up a large portion.[http://www.wm.edu/about/index.php About W&M] College of William and Mary; accessed April 3, 2008.[http://www.odu.edu/oduhome/about.shtml About ODU] Old Dominion University. Accessed April 3, 2008.[http://tncc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1441&Itemid=384 Why TNCC?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211103624/http://tncc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1441&Itemid=384 |date=February 11, 2009 }}, tncc.edu; accessed April 3, 2008.

As a New South industrial city, Newport News developed a religious diversity greater than neighboring cities. The oldest congregation in the city, First Church of Newport News (Baptist) was organized in 1863, well in advance of the foundation of the city. Railroad connections encouraged Mennonites to establish farms and a colony in Warwick County and a congregation in the city itself. The city was fertile ground for black American evangelists including Lightfoot Solomon Michaux and Daddy Grace. Several synagogues were established in the city, and at least two of its historic church buildings, First Baptist Church and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church were added to the National Register of Historic Places.{{Cite web |last=Bains |first=David R. |date=2022-08-19 |title=Churches in Newport News: An Alphabet |url=https://chasingchurches.com/2022/08/19/churches-in-newport-news-an-alphabet/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Chasing Churches |language=en}}

The City of Newport News operates two local government PEG Channels, [http://newportnewsva.cvp.swagit.com/ Newport News Television] (NNTV) and NNTV2. NNTV airs on cable channels Cox 48 & Verizon 19 while NNTV2 is on Cox 46 & Verizon 18. [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3KywRA_qLJ7azvKm_Ectxw NNTV] also operates a YouTube channel of their programming.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3KywRA_qLJ7azvKm_Ectxw|title=Newport News TV|website=YouTube|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} Residents of Newport News can find programs highlighting local events and various things to do around the city. NNTV airs the City Council Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings live for the public to view while NNTV2 is a bulletin board channel that displays slides for various city events and essential information for residents. NNTV also produces the local Crimeline reports with officers from the Newport News Police Department.

Newport News is also served by several television stations. The Hampton Roads designated market area (DMA) is the 43rd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.).Holmes, Gary. [http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD# "Nielsen Reports 1.1% increase in U.S. Television Households for the 2006–2007 Season"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705100549/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=6573d3b8b0c3d010VgnVCM100000ac0a260aRCRD|date=July 5, 2009}}, Nielsen Media Research, September 23, 2006. Retrieved on September 28, 2007. The major network television affiliates are WTKR-TV 3 (CBS), WAVY 10 (NBC), WVEC-TV 13 (ABC), WGNT 27 (Independent), WTVZ 33 (MyNetworkTV), WVBT 43 (Fox, with CW on DT2), and WPXV 49 (ION Television) and The Public Broadcasting Service member station is WHRO-TV 15.

Newport News's daily newspaper is the Daily Press. Other papers include the Port Folio Weekly, the New Journal and Guide, the Hampton Roads Business Journal, and the James River Journal.

Christopher Newport University publishes its own newspaper, The Captain's Log.{{cite web

| url = http://www.abyznewslinks.com/unitevann.htm

| title = Hampton Roads News Links

| access-date = August 6, 2007

| publisher = abyznewslinks.com

}} Hampton Roads Magazine serves as a bi-monthly regional magazine for Newport News and the Hampton Roads area.{{cite web|url=http://www.hrmag.com|title=Hampton Roads Magazine|access-date=August 6, 2007|publisher=Hampton Roads Magazine|archive-date=September 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928171054/http://www.hrmag.com/|url-status=dead}} Hampton Roads Times serves as an online magazine for all the Hampton Roads cities and counties. Newport News is served by a variety of radio stations on the AM and FM dials, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheradio.net/metro/Norfolk_VA.aspx|title=Hampton Roads Radio Links|access-date=August 6, 2007}}

{{See also|Newport News Transportation Center}}

File:Jamesriverbridge.jpg

Newport News has an elaborate transportation network, including interstate and state highways, bridges and a bridge-tunnel, freight and passenger railroad service, local transit bus and intercity bus service, and a commercial airport. There are miles of waterfront docks and port facilities.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

Newport News is served by three airports. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, in Newport News; Norfolk International Airport, in Norfolk; and Richmond International Airport all of which cater to passengers from Hampton Roads.

The primary airport for the Virginia Peninsula is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. As of 2011, it was experiencing a 5th year of record, double-digit growth, making it one of the fastest growing airports in the country. In January 2006, the airport reported having served 1,058,839 passengers. On February 4, 2010, the airport announced a new airline, Frontier Airlines, with direct flights to Denver, Colorado. It is also undergoing a $23 million expansion project. In 2012, Newport News became home to its own airline, PeoplExpress, which launched with headquarters at the Newport News/Williamsburg airport. Its inaugural first flights took place June 30, 2014, and now includes more than seven destinations.

Norfolk International Airport also serves the region. The airport is near the Chesapeake Bay, along the city limits of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/missionhistory.htm |title=Norfolk International Airport Mission and History |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk International Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928203630/http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/missionhistory.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }} Seven airlines provide nonstop services to 25 destinations. ORF had 3,703,664 passengers take off or land at its facility and 68,778,934 pounds of cargo were processed through its facilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/orfstats.pdf |title=Norfolk International Airport Statistics |access-date=October 2, 2007 |publisher=Norfolk International Airport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025202830/http://www.norfolkairport.com/airportinfo/orfstats.pdf |archive-date=October 25, 2007 }} The Chesapeake Regional Airport provides general aviation services and is on the other side of the Hampton Roads Harbor.{{cite web|url=http://www.chesapeakeairport.com|title=Chesapeake Regional Airport|access-date=January 12, 2008}}

File:CSX209inNNVA.jpg

Amtrak serves the city with four trains a day.{{cite web|url=http://www.hrp.org/Site/docs/Passenger%20Trains%20for%20VA%20Peninsula_CSX_7-17-09.ppt|title=Passenger Trains for the VA Peninsula 7-17-09|access-date=August 29, 2009|format=PPT|publisher=The Hampton Roads Partnership|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721035249/http://www.hrp.org/Site/docs/Passenger%20Trains%20for%20VA%20Peninsula_CSX_7-17-09.ppt|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=usurped}} The line runs west along the Virginia Peninsula to Richmond and points beyond. Connecting buses are available to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. A high-speed rail connection at Richmond to the Northeast Corridor and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor is under study.[http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=NPN Amtrak Newport News Station], amtrak.com; accessed April 3, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.sehsr.org|title=Southeast High Speed Rail|access-date=October 15, 2007|publisher=Southeast High Speed Rail|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515181215/http://www.sehsr.org/|archive-date=May 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}

File:HRT 522 in Hampton.jpg]]

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines (Carolina Trailways). The bus station is on Warwick Boulevard in the Denbigh area.[http://www.greyhound.com/home Greyhound Lines/Carolina Trailways webpage]; greyhound.com; accessed July 24, 2015. Transportation in the city, as well as with other major cities of Hampton Roads is served by a regional bus service, Hampton Roads Transit.{{cite web|title=Routes|url=http://gohrt.com/route/|publisher=Hampton Roads Transit|access-date=December 26, 2016}} A connecting service for local routes serving Williamsburg, James City County, and upper York County is operated by Williamsburg Area Transit Authority at Lee Hall.[http://www.gowata.org Williamsburg Area Transit Authority webpage]; accessed November 13, 2016.

The Newport News Waterworks was begun as a project of Collis P. Huntington as part of the development of the lower peninsula with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, the coal piers on the harbor of Hampton Roads, and massive shipyard which were the major sources of industrial growth which helped found Newport News as a new independent city in 1896. It included initially an impoundment of the Warwick River in western Warwick County. Later expansions included more reservoirs, including one at Skiffe's Creek and another at Walkers Dam on the Chickahominy River.{{Cite web|title=Supply System {{!}} Newport News, VA - Official Website|url=https://www.nnva.gov/391/Supply-System|access-date=2020-07-15|website=www.nnva.gov}}

A regional water provider, in modern times it is owned and operated by the City of Newport News and serves over 400,000 people in the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and portions of York County and James City County.[http://www.nngov.com/waterworks Waterworks] City of Newport News website; accessed April 3, 2008.

The city provides wastewater services for residents and transports wastewater to the regional Hampton Roads Sanitation District treatment plants.{{cite web|url=http://www.hrsd.state.va.us|title=Hampton Roads Sanitation District|access-date=March 8, 2008|publisher=Hampton Roads Sanitation District}}

The Law Enforcement in Newport News is being provided by its Newport News Police Department.

{{main|List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia}}

Newport News has three sister cities:Sister Cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/VA Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060502174936/http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/VA |date=May 2, 2006 }}. Retrieved on August 18, 2006.

• {{flagdeco|Japan}} Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
• {{flagdeco|Germany}} Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

Newport News is also currently in the process of adding Carrigaline, County Cork Ireland as a Sister City.

{{portal|United States}}

• List of people from Hampton Roads
• List of mayors of Newport News, Virginia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport News, Virginia
• Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
• Newport News Sheriff's Office
• Warwick County, Virginia (defunct)
• USS Newport News, 3 ships

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Sister project links|Newport News, Virginia|voy=Newport News|c=Category:Newport News, Virginia}}

• {{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Newport News |volume=19 |page=535 |short=1}}
• [https://www.nnva.gov/ Official website]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Newport News

|North = York County

|Northeast =

|East = Hampton

|Southeast = Portsmouth

|South = Suffolk

|Southwest = Isle of Wight County

|West = Surry County • James River

|Northwest = James City County

}}

{{Newport News}}

{{Hampton Roads}}

{{Virginia}}

{{Northeast Megalopolis}}

{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Virginia

Category:Former county seats in Virginia

Newport News

Category:Populated places in Hampton Roads

Category:Majority-minority counties and independent cities in Virginia