Independent city · code 51700
Newport News cityVirginia
Newport News is an independent city in Virginia, founded in 1881.
- Founded1881
- Land area69 sq mi + 51 sq mi water
- Population186,247 2020 Census
- Parcels mapped54,438 checked 15 October 2026
Where it is
Newport News on the map of Virginia
Virginia has 133 counties and county equivalents, each with its own records office. Shapes with a page are links.
History
Founded in 1881
An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.
Newport News was made an independent city in 1902, separated from Warwick. The city expanded through several boundary additions from Warwick and Elizabeth City between 1917 and 1940. In 1958, Newport News and Warwick consolidated into a single independent city.
- 1902Independent city separated Newport News made an independent city, 1st class, from Warwick (extinct).Warwick separated· Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169
- 1917Gained territory Independent city of Newport News gained from Warwick (extinct).from Warwick· Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 12; "Warwick County v. Newport News" in Va. Rpts., 120:182
- 1921Gained territory Independent city of Newport News gained small areas from Elizabeth City (extinct) and Warwick (extinct).from Elizabeth Cityfrom Warwick· Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 12
- 1921Gained territory Independent city of Newport News gained from Warwick (extinct).from Warwick· Brown, Alexander C., 12
- 1927Gained territory Independent city of Newport News gained from Elizabeth City (extinct). A minor correction was made in this line on 27 February 1927.from Elizabeth City· Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 12-13
- 1940Gained territory Independent city of Newport News gained from Warwick (extinct).from Warwick· Newport News Public Library, correspondence, February 1990; Brown, Alexander C., 13
- 1958Eliminated Independent cities of Newport News and Warwick were consolidated to form the independent city of Newport News, 1st class; Warwick eliminated. · Va. Acts 1958, ch. 141/pp. 147-190
Land and parcels
What the maps cover in Newport News
Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.
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Parcels Good enough
Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 54,438 parcels from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
checked 15 October 2026 -
Address points Official
One point per address, 91,456 in all from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM; VGIN moved from VITA to VDEM).
checked 14 October 2026 -
Buildings Reference
Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026
- Official
- from the office that keeps the record
- Good enough
- a reliable statewide or national copy
- Fallback
- a guide only; check the official record
- Missing
- nothing public found yet
People and land
Newport News by the Census
Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rules and offices
Who to ask before you build, dig or sell
Official county pages only. We link to them; we do not copy them, because they change.
Inside a city or town, permits usually come from that city rather than the county.
Records
- Assessor and property records
Commissioner of the Revenue & DMV Select
- Clerk of court: deeds and plats
Circuit Court and Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Permits
- Health department: septic and well
Environmental Management Services
- Permit Fee Schedule
- Permits
- Permit Office
Zoning and code
County government
- County government
The official website of Newport News city.
See your own lot on these maps
Open Newport News city on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.
Questions
Common questions about Newport News city
- When was Newport News city founded?
- Newport News city was founded in 1881.
- Is there an online parcel map for Newport News city?
- Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 54,438 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
- Has Newport News city's boundary or name changed?
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 7 changes for Newport News city. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 7 later changes, chiefly involving Warwick County and Elizabeth City.
- Who issues building permits in Newport News city?
- The county's page on building permits: Permit Fee Schedule. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
- Who issues septic and well permits in Newport News city?
- The county's page on septic systems and wells: Environmental Management Services.
- Is my lot in a flood zone?
- We do not have flood maps for Newport News city yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.
Nearby