Newport News, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 88% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Newport News Safe?
Newport News has a crime rate that is 52% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 172.
100% of Newport News neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 172
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
53% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 31
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
78% higher than national average
Newport News Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
155 | +55% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
149 | +49% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
163 | +63% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
160 | +60% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
139 | +39% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
168 | +68% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
164 | +64% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Newport News Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Newport News?
Safety varies dramatically across Newport News's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Newport News
All Newport News Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crafford / Taliaferro | B+ | 117 |
Newport News Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Newport News zip codes.
Newport News Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Newport News, VA?
Newport News, VA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 172 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 31 chance for property crime. Newport News has higher crime than 88% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Newport News, VA safe to live in?
Newport News has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Newport News is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Newport News?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Newport News are Crafford / Taliaferro. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What is the violent crime rate in Newport News?
The estimated violent crime rate in Newport News is 582.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 172 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.8 per 100K (55% above average); aggravated assault at 400.5 per 100K (49% above average); robbery at 120.1 per 100K (63% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Newport News?
The estimated property crime rate in Newport News is 3,258.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 78% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 31 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 375.2 per 100K (39% above average); larceny/theft at 2,360.2 per 100K (68% above average); vehicle theft at 522.7 per 100K (64% above average).
How does Newport News crime compare to the national average?
Newport News's overall crime rate is 52% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (68% above average), while burglary is 39% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Newport News has higher crime than 88% of them.
Is Newport News safe to visit?
Visitors to Newport News should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 78% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Crafford / Taliaferro.
How does Newport News crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Newport News's crime rate is 52% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Newport News?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Newport News, with an estimated rate of 2,360.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 68% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,258 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (582 per 100K) in Newport News, which is consistent with national trends.