virginia independent city located state virginia census population population estimated making fifth populous city virginia included metropolitan area southeastern end northern shore extending southeast creek miles waterfront river mouth harbor area known original virginia formed british colony virginia order king charles county largely composed farms undeveloped land years later years explosive development began leadership new peninsula extension ohio railway richmond opened transportation peninsula provided new railroad bring west_virginia coal port coastal shipping worldwide export new railroad came terminal coal piers loaded years associates built large shipyard new incorporated town briefly replaced county seat population mutual consent referendum consolidated separate city rejoining approximately geographic size widely known selected formed virginia largest independent city population residents employed expansive joint installation military bases suppliers city economy connected military location harbor large boating industry advantage miles waterfront serves junction rails sea located east end city served major east west interstate highway linked cities crosses harbor bridge tunnels city limits etymology original area near mouth referred early source newport news known certainty versions recorded subject popular speculation locally probably best known explanation holds early group colonists left return england time winter aboard ship captain encountered fleet supply ships new governor 3rd baron reinforcements men supplies new governor ordered turn return theory community named newport good news possibility community derived old english word news meaning new town source claims new arose original settlement rebuilt fire source gave original new port named person town place new namesake sir english soldier originally settled ireland established near county sailed virginia sir october granted acres land died days later brother given acres called partner completed founding settlement writes old maps given way saying fact appeared newport news verified numerous early documents maps local tradition change came usage sanctioned new port news words post office approved newport news current form history european settlement 17th century shortly founding virginia english settlers explored began settling areas adjacent sir took possession nearby native american village known time settlers began clearing land called plantations including present area area included huge corporations known extended west way creek currently border included present day english colony virginia consisted population approximately inhabitants divided virginia renamed counties shortly area river county seat short time mid-19th century county seat moved restoration rural area plantations small fishing village american civil war construction railroad establishment great shipyard brought thousands workers associated development cities virginia newly established earlier incorporation town virginia independent city political subdivision served city mayor area formed present day southern end long established unincorporated town reconstruction period american civil war new essentially founded california merchant big associated california formed western country recruited confederate general major investor guiding light southern railroad helped complete ohio railway knew railroad transport coal eastbound west_virginia natural resources agents began acquiring land 1880s oversaw extension new extended richmond southeast peninsula company developed coal piers harbor project develop world largest shipyard opened intended build boats transition goods rails seas president declaration create great white fleet company entered warship business building seven sixteen warships today shipyard holds dominant position american warship construction business 1900s addition members family played major roles nephew assumed leadership shipyard developed world war near northern terminus named son wife sculptor developed beginning created natural park community process major feature grown largest finest maritime museums world cities voted referendum consolidate cities choosing assume better known merger created largest city population virginia square miles km2 area boundaries today essentially boundaries original river traditional exception minor border adjustments neighbors city original downtown area waterfront changed rapidly farm trading town new city quarter 19th century development railroad terminal coal piers harbor related facilities shipyard brought new jobs workers area fashionable housing businesses developed downtown increase industry development new suburbs pushed pulled retail residential development west north world war suburban development aided national highway construction national trend newer housing july united_states_navy commissioned naval vessel named city entry los_angeles class nuclear submarine uss newport news built active service ship initially commanded city held public celebration event attended vice president united_states conjunction milestone song written city native formally adopted july lyrics appear permission author verse harbor thousand ships nation fleet gateway ocean river meet chorus strength wrought steel people timeless legacy place called second verse blessed land gifted special view forever home man spirit proud true repeat chorus fade 2000s despite city efforts large scale beginning 21st century downtown area consisted largely coal export facilities shipyard municipal offices bordered harbor related smaller businesses lower income housing grew population 1960s 1990s city began explore new way develop areas developed small portion opened phases city invested million public funding project closely following opened urban residential community new business district people reside port area includes acre city square festivals events place geography located according city total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water city located peninsula region virginia bordering atlantic_ocean officially known 37th largest nation population estimate area includes virginia cities norfolk portsmouth suffolk counties gloucester isle york north_carolina counties gates serves business centers peninsula city norfolk recognized central business district resort district primarily centers tourism shares land borders northwest north northeast east shares water borders portsmouth southeast suffolk south southwest west northwest city downtown area earliest developed area initially incorporated independent city earlier city portions included southeast community predominantly african american north end shipyard coal piers world war public housing projects lower income housing built improve housing came known east end locals city expanded primarily westward land available highways built shipyard coal facilities smaller harbor oriented businesses remained vibrant downtown area went substantial decline crime problems plagued nearby lower income residential areas west traditional downtown area early portion city developed modern times called developed primarily features wealth architectural styles eclectic vernacular building designs extending west approaches includes scenic views river preserved community historic district listed national_register_of_historic_places merger mutual agreement city removed political boundary adjacent major north south roadway carries route area adjacent time county rural boulevard north mercury boulevard developed world war planned community point west city takes suburban nature neighborhoods developed number small towns miles waterfront tributaries occupied higher end single family homes sections wooded land farms gave way subdivisions northwestern reaches traditional downtown area residential development occurred land set aside natural protection recreational historical considerations newer residential areas major features northwestern end include include expansive number public schools military installations fort small portion extreme northwestern edge adjacent creek border lee hall community retains historical features including station served tens thousands soldiers based nearby fort world war world war larger normal rural story frame depot highly valued rail fans rail downtown victory arch built commemorate great war sits downtown waterfront arch cast 1960s hand crafted founder president downtown area number landmarks interesting buildings time abandoned favor building new areas northwest areas city strategy aided tax incentives postwar years city leaders working bring new life area building new homes attracting businesses completion interstate restored area access traffic largely rerouted completion ferry service time larger capacity monitor memorial bridge tunnel rebuilt james river bridge restored accessibility traffic downtown area newer commercial development boulevard corridors newer planned industrial commercial mixed development downtown area long area city offered traditional urban layout city supported number new projects named fictional city novel lie darkness includes housing broad variety citizens retired persons campus housing students included high end restaurants shopping point located near touted new downtown new geographic proximity retail business nucleus city etc locally called simply city center nearby recently completed million expansion plan home small korean ethnic boulevard near neighborhood northern end city lacks density character larger established referred little seoul commercial center korean community neighborhoods distinctive communities neighborhoods boundaries including hunter ivy farms north end roughly 50th 75th street jefferson avenue park morrison known old center area riverside neighborhoods located city climate located humid subtropical climate zone cool mild winters hot humid summers inland location year highs warmer lows cooler areas southeast snowfall averages inches season summer months tend slightly geographic location city respect principal storm tracks fair weather south average path storms originating higher latitudes north usual tracks hurricanes major tropical storms demographics census people households families residing city population density people square mile housing units average density square mile racial makeup city white african american native american asian pacific races races hispanic latino race population puerto rican mexican cuban dominican households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size age distribution age years age older median age years females males females age males median income household city median income family males median income versus females capita income city families population poverty line including age age crime experienced murders giving city murder rate people murders giving city rate people city murders rate people total crime index rate united_states average according city crime rankings crime metropolitan america ranked dangerous city larger inhabitants neighborhood highest crime rates east end economy city major industries military owned large coal piers supplied railroad giant modern fortune successor ohio railway miles waterfront seen automobiles crossing monitor memorial bridge tunnel portion linking city major cities interstate interstate defensive industry suppliers based nearby military bases employ residents addition working shipyard harbor related plays role maritime industry end csx railroad tracks lies covering acres km2 terminal heavy lift cranes warehouse capabilities container cranes location rail network provided advantages city city houses industrial parks enabled manufacturing distribution root city technology oriented companies flourished 1990s regional center technology companies additional companies headquartered include serves city largest employer employees fort employs making second largest employer city creates jobs acts city largest employer established world war historic large base fort modern times hosts important activities adjacent military facilities include naval weapons station harbor world largest naval base naval station norfolk installations located research education play role city economy housed employs people scientists world conduct research facility named stated mission provide forefront scientific facilities opportunities leadership essential discovering fundamental structure nuclear matter partner industry apply advanced technology serve nation communities education public outreach culture virginia associated larger people grown area unique accent sounds different stereotypical southern accent longer pronunciation typical southern accent near city western end historic railroad station american_civil_war battle sites near historic lee hall route 19th century plantations protected located roads leading sites civil war significance modern duel ironclad warships took place far recovered artifacts uss monitor displayed notable museums type world museum collection totals approximately artifacts international scope include ship models maritime paintings decorative arts engines museum owns maintains acre park located trail acre covers american military history museum collection includes weapons vehicles artifacts uniforms posters periods american history collection include section berlin wall outer wall contains rotating gallery art exhibits center maintains permanent hands kids gallery designed children families interact center describes fun educational environment encourages participation art materials concepts united_states_army museum vehicles transportation related equipment memorabilia located grounds fort museum reflects history army especially includes close military vehicles land vehicles rolling stock including stock officially dedicated general star general lead transportation command extends acres land air sea vehicles indoor exhibits exhibits cover transportation role army operations including topic areas american revolutionary war operations afghanistan theater concert hall campus complex fully opened september contains distinct separate concert halls port area hosts annual port art sculpture festival art vendors gather square sell art judges chance art work best festival outdoor living museum combining aspects native wildlife park science museum botanical preserve sports home sports franchises including semi pro football captains field fourteen sports compete division iii ncaa high school sports especially football play large role city culture sporting stars city stadium houses high schools worth football games usually spread thursday friday saturday nights stadium holds schools track field meets additional sports options found outside collegiate level offer athletics provides sports level peninsula pilots play outside city limits war memorial stadium pilots play summer baseball league norfolk international_league field men women professional soccer teams atlantic conference headquartered parks recreation responsible maintenance city parks smallest half acre largest acres km2 second largest city park united_states scattered city northern end city southern end near monitor memorial bridge tunnel parks offer services visitors ranging traditional park services like camping fishing activities like disc golf northern city city golf course lies park camping outdoor activities miles trails complex miles multi use bike path park offers bicycle helmet rental requires helmet use children offers range disc golf course flying field remote controlled aircraft complete runway city supplies public boat ramps citizens park boat ramp park allows access tributary offers small fishing pier offers small beach addition trout fish primarily caught summer months pier accessible visitors media daily newspaper papers include port weekly publishes newspaper serves monthly regional magazine area serves online magazine cities counties served variety radio stations towers located area served television stations designated market area 43rd largest homes total major network television cbs nbc abc fox station residents receive independent stations broadcasting channel broadcasting channel government independent city services counties cities virginia provide sheriff social services court system operates council manager form government consists city council representatives districts serving legislative oversight capacity popularly elected large mayor city manager serves head executive branch city departments executing policies adopted council citizens elect council representatives serve year term city council meets city hall twice month july consisted mayor vice mayor city manager time history female majority city council federal courthouse virginia new courthouse constructed future additionally general district circuit courts downtown city virginia 1st congressional district served representative virginia 3rd congressional district served representative education main provider primary secondary education city school system includes elementary schools middle schools high schools high school high school middle high schools elementary schools fully example elementary school offers talented gifted program fifth rising sixth offers stem program students district preparing careers math high school widely known program prepare students grade levels college course levels thinking private schools located area including city contains public university nearby public universities include mary private university sits miles city limits operates school teaching shipyard related trades serves community college located neighboring nearby offers college career training programs institutions areas home variety students commuter students large portion infrastructure transportation elaborate transportation network including interstate state highways bridges bridge tunnel freight passenger railroad service local transit bus bus service commercial airport miles waterfront docks port facilities served airports norfolk richmond international airport cater passengers primary airport experiencing 5th year record double digit growth making fastest growing airports country january airport reported having served passengers february airport announced new airline direct flights denver colorado undergoing million expansion project home airline launched headquarters airport inaugural flights took place june includes seven destinations lid lid serves region airport near chesapeake_bay city limits norfolk seven provide nonstop services destinations passengers land facility pounds cargo processed facilities provides general aviation services amtrak serves city trains day line runs west richmond points connecting buses available norfolk high speed rail connection richmond northeast corridor southeast high speed rail corridor study bus service provided bus station boulevard area transportation city major cities served regional bus service connecting service local routes serving upper operated lee hall utilities begun project development lower peninsula ohio railway coal piers harbor massive shipyard major sources industrial growth helped found new independent city included initially western later expansions included including creek walker dam regional water provider modern times owned operated serves people cities portions city provides services residents transports regional treatment plants healthcare served acute care hospitals largest facility second known regional hospital began serving community moved present acre location heart city completed million expansion improvement project opened doors faith based hospital peninsula acute care hospital relocated area city offers wide range services including invasive surgery services women services sister cities sister cities japan germany
Newport News, Virginia