Newport News city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 75.3 | 183,118 people · 9th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Newport News city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 75.3 — 178th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Virginia, it ranks 9th of 133 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newport News city's primary driver is Legal Distress at 90.8 — worse than roughly 91% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 90.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 91
Housing Cost Burden 87.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 99
Consumer Credit Distress 74.0
Debt in Collections 82
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 83
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 90
Economic Vitality 72.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 99
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 52
Structural Poverty 54.4
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 66
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 44

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newport News city
Newport News city, VA 75.3 Serious —
Portsmouth city, VA 81.9 Crisis +6.6
Hampton city, VA 77.1 Serious +1.8
Suffolk city, VA 63.4 Elevated -11.9
Surry County, VA 42.6 Normal -32.7
Isle of Wight County, VA 41.6 Normal -33.7
James City County, VA 39.9 Normal -35.4
York County, VA 38.2 Normal -37.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newport News city
Craighead County, AR 75.1 Serious -0.2
Putnam County, FL 75.1 Serious -0.2
Angelina County, TX 75.1 Serious -0.2
Wilson County, NC 75.8 Serious +0.5
Potter County, TX 74.7 Serious -0.6

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Newport News city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Newport News city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Newport News city.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF EASTERN VIRGINIA
Newport News
757-875-0060 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Newport News
804-285-5986 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPre-Purchase
HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC.
Newport News
757-247-0379 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Virginia →

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Newport News city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Newport News city, Virginia?

    Newport News city has a County Distress Index score of 75.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 178th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newport News city?

    The primary driver of distress in Newport News city is Legal Distress, where the county scores 90.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Newport News city compare to neighboring counties?

    Newport News city (75.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Portsmouth city, VA (81.9); Hampton city, VA (77.1); Suffolk city, VA (63.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Newport News city's score of 75.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Newport News city's CDI score?

    Newport News city's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Newport News city?

    Newport News city, Virginia has a population of approximately 183,118 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.