Newport News land attracts investors, businesses and developers seeking its highly skilled workforce and location that provides excellent shipping via ports, air, land and rail. Situated in the Coastal area of the state and part of the Hampton Roads area, land in Newport News encompasses 119.6 square miles, including 51 square miles of water. With a population of 179,225, the city is perched on the junction of where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The city runs 23 miles along the river and the Hampton Roads Harbor. Much of its economy is related to the military presence in the region, and it attracts diverse trades including shipbuilding, technological research and international commerce. Included in the top private employers are Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Ferguson Enterprises Inc. and Canon. Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility are major public employers. There are numerous attractions including the Newport News Middle Ground Light and the Virginia Living Museum. Newport News Public Schools provides K-12 public education. Christopher Newport University offers higher learning.
