Water is a way of life for the 137,000-plus residents of Hampton, a coastal city at the tip of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region. Narrow waterways wind through the city, with marinas and docks around every bend. They lead to the James River, which wraps the city’s west side while feeding into the Chesapeake Bay on the east. “There’s a lot of water in our area, which makes for great living and great activities,” says Anita L. Cox, Broker/Owner of NextHome Coastal Luxury Realty, who also lives in the city. “I’ve been a native of Hampton for over 15 years. I absolutely love it.”
Hampton is known for being more of a commuter town. Some residents may work at the NASA Langley Research Center or Joint Base Langley-Eustis, but many typically drive to work in nearby Newport News or Norfolk. Of the 10 cities that make up Hampton Roads, Hampton has the third-lowest cost of living, which is 12% lower than the national average and about 15% lower than the state average.
Newtown/Crown Point families fish off the pier at the Blue Water Yacht Center.
The Hampton Coliseum dominates the neighborhood, and hosts concerts and sporting events.
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Wide range of homes on and off the water
Hampton has more than 57,000 homes, with a majority being single-family residences in subdivisions scattered throughout the city. The city also has a few townhouses and condominiums, some with waterfront views. The median year homes were built is 1974, and the city has recently seen a decrease in new construction. Home prices have increased by more than 60% from 2018 to 2023, with the median sale price jumping from $160,000 to $280,000. Townhouses and condos currently have a median price of $300,000. The national median is $418,700.
Waterfront estates and private boat docks line the attractive shores of Newtown.
Quaint Cape Cod style homes line the grassy inner streets of Newtown/Crown Point.
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Beaches by the Chesapeake Bay
Sandy beaches line the coast against the southern tip of the Chesapeake Bay. At Buckroe Beach, locals can wade in the calm surf, jet ski in the open water, fish from the pier or relax on the sand while watching ships in the bay and fighter jets in the sky — a familiar noise for locals. Hampton’s Fort Monroe has played a significant role in America’s history and, today, is a popular spot for visitors to learn about and explore the beaches. The presence of NASA and the Air Force base in Hampton naturally led to the creation of the Virginia Air & Space Science Center, a popular attraction for locals, tourists and field trips. Hampton also has several areas designated to protect land and wildlife, such as Grandview Nature Preserve, which features 475 acres of marsh, creeks and a beachfront where people go to photograph birds.
Head to the Virginia Air and Space Museum to see decommissioned jets and learn about space.
Many Newtown residents can be spotted fishing in the harbor toward the end of the day.
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Shopping trips, annual events in downtown Hampton
Downtown Hampton is a commercial destination with local shops, restaurants and bars by the waterfront. “I’ve seen a bigger push to shop locally,” Cox says. “There are cute little shops around Hilton Village and Downtown Hampton.” The city also has several other shopping centers featuring a mix of local and national chain restaurants, along with big box retailers for everyday essentials. “The Rythm room is a neat venue that just opened,” Cox says. “It has a combination of live music and nice dining that’s for a more mature audience. It’s one of my favorites.”
In the 1700s, Hampton became a popular spot for pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. Today, the city is overrun by pirate reenactors during the iconic Blackbeard Pirate Festival. Other annual events include Groovin’ by the Bay, a summer concert series held at Mill Point Park, the Crabtown Seafood Festival and the Holiday Wonder Walk. The Hampton Coliseum hosts national touring events like concerts, monster truck rallies and bull riding competitions. The Hampton Roads Convention Center is just across the street, hosting everything from banquets to trade shows. Joint Base Langley-Eustis is also known for hosting Air Power Over Hampton Roads, an air show featuring a wide range of planes.
Brown Chicken Brown Cow is a popular burger joint in the evening, attracting Newtown crowds.
Downtown Hampton attracts the nightlife scene from Newtown with cute shops and bars on Queen St.
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Busy commutes on I-64
Interstate 64 runs north to Newport News and south through the 3.5-mile Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to Norfolk. With workers commuting to both cities, the interstate is known for getting congested during rush hour. Locals can also choose to get around by taking a Hampton Roads Transit bus. Those traveling farther can take an Amtrak train or fly out via one of two international airports, one in Newport News and one in Norfolk.
Hampton City's high schools known as football powerhouses
More than 19,000 students are served by Hampton City Schools, which gets a B grade from Niche. The school district has 18 elementary, five middle and four high schools. The district also offers a school for gifted learners from grades three through eight, and a virtual program for elementary students. Hampton City Schools is known for its powerhouse football programs, winning three straight state championships from 2021 to 2023 and producing Division I college athletes and NFL players. The city also includes colleges like Hampton University, a historically black research university with more than 80 academic programs.
Hampton High School is located in Hampton and has a B- rating on Niche.
Kecoughtan High School has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
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Flood mitigation and evacuation plans
Flooding and storm surges are always a concern due to Chesapeake Bay and the James River surrounding the city and the waterways that flow through it. According to the city, more than 36,000 homes are considered to be at extreme risk of flooding. Hampton has four evacuation zones labeled A through D, with A zones posing the highest risk. When major storms are approaching, the media will alert locals which zones are being evacuated. The city’s “Resilient Hampton Initiative” has been implementing flood mitigation plans since 2017, pledging not to work against the surrounding water but to treat it as an asset to the community.
Hampton crime statistics
Hampton’s overall violent and property crime rates are higher than the state and national average. According to FBI statistics, in 2023 violent crime rose by 8% and property crime increased by nearly 3% when compared to 2022.
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