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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Norfolk, VA vs Newport News, VA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Newport News spends 10.7% more per capita than Norfolk ($6,069/person difference). Norfolk, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Newport News, VA
Pop. 185,118
F
32/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Norfolk
Newport News
Total Spending
$12.1B
$10.5B
Spending / Capita
$50,880
$56,948
Total Revenue
$17.4B
$6.2B
Revenue / Capita
$73,324
$33,516
Total Debt
$324.7M
$409.7M
Debt / Capita
$1,370
$2,213
Population
236,973
185,118
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Norfolk$1,718
Newport News$1,848
Fire Protection
Norfolk$832
Newport News$658
Highways & Roads
Norfolk$1,186
Newport News$702
Parks & Recreation
Norfolk$1,601
Newport News$2,102
Education
Norfolk$19,019
Newport News$23,175
Health
Norfolk$519
Newport News$377

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkNewport News
Property Tax
$97
$0
Sales Tax
$1,289
$382
Income Tax
$896
$820
Intergovernmental
$4,946
$899
Charges & Fees
$4,679
$5,701
Other
$3,596
$4,722

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

NorfolkNewport News
Police
$1,718
$1,848
Fire Protection
$832
$658
Highways & Roads
$1,186
$702
Education
$19,019
$23,175
Public Welfare
$1,311
$1,145
Health
$519
$377
Hospitals
$5,390
$2,755
Parks & Recreation
$1,601
$2,102
Housing
$3,939
$4,827
Sewerage
$96
$219
Utilities
$5,495
$7,332
Other
$9,773
$11,810
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
F
Newport News, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress

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