Crime in Newport News, Virginia

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Newport News, however, property crimes account for only about 81% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is more prevalent in Newport News than it is nationwide. There were 4,484 property crimes in Newport News in 2019, or 2,529 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Newport News. There were 3,641 larcenies reported in Newport News in 2019, or 2,053 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 503 break-ins reported in Newport News in 2019, or 284 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Newport News, meanwhile, there were 340 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 192 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Newport News, however, violent offenses account for a larger 19% share of all reported crime.

At 596 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Newport News is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Newport News reported a total of 1,056 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Newport News. There were 804 aggravated assaults reported in Newport News in 2019, or 453 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 164 robberies reported in Newport News in 2019, a rate of 93 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 64 rapes reported in Newport News in 2019, or 36 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 24 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Newport News is 13.5 murders for every 100,000 people, more than double the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.