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Campostella

Campostella

Suburban Neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk City County 23523

$248,058 Average Value
$173 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Modernizing community spaces in a former southside Norfolk streetcar suburb

The selling points for Campostella have always been in flux; although truthfully named for a Confederate captain’s daughter, early developers of the area added an ‘O’ to Camp Stella, crafting an Italian sensibility for the land whose name translates to “well-lit star.” Long decades of industrialization along the Elizabeth River transformed the area into a gridded streetcar suburb, though later decades of disinvestment and redlining decreased property values and amenities through the later 20th century. One thing that hasn’t changed is Campostella’s centrality to the rest of Norfolk, settled against the river's barge-staggered southern bank and across the water from the buzzier waterfront and downtown areas along the northside. “If you cross the Campostella Bridge, you’re at Norfolk State University, but on the other side, you’re closer to Chesapeake,” says Vanda Kennedy, a sales associate with World Class Realty who specializes in Hampton Roads real estate. “It’s very affordable, and you just drive five minutes to get anywhere.” Activism around citywide infrastructure projects paired with modernizing school and recreation spaces are helping to ensure Campostella is well-positioned to serve its community in years to come, complementing its excellent position between Hampton Roads commuter hubs.

New developments rise in Campostella, a neighborhood on low-lying areas in Norfolk.
New developments rise in Campostella, a neighborhood on low-lying areas in Norfolk.
Steeped in history, the Campostella neighborhood showcases the legacy of Norfolk’s rapid growth.
Steeped in history, the Campostella neighborhood showcases the legacy of Norfolk’s rapid growth.
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Southside river industry and crossing the Campostella Bridge to downtown Norfolk

Riverside industrial areas crowd the banks of the Elizabeth River on Campostella’s northern edge, including Colonna’s Shipyard. Crossing the Campostella Bridge, downtown Norfolk is around 3 miles away, with Norfolk State University’s campus sprawling just on the other side of the river. While the Campostella Bridge is undergoing construction through 2025, the nearby Berkley Bridge also offers access to northern Norfolk without staggered lane closures. Norfolk Naval Shipyard is around 4 miles away in Portsmouth. While Amtrak trains pass by on railroad tracks west of Campostella, the nearest station is also across the river. Hampton Regional Transit buses run several routes throughout Campostella. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is around 4 miles away, and Norfolk International Airport is nearly 10 miles away.

Campostella is in proximity to Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the shipyard.
Campostella is in proximity to Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth, and the shipyard.
Campostella Bridge spans Norfolk’s waterways, offering views of the shipyard industry.
Campostella Bridge spans Norfolk’s waterways, offering views of the shipyard industry.
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Prewar single-family homes from $100,000

On tightly packed blocks, a blend of prewar and midcentury single-family homes settle close to Campostella’s extensive sidewalk system. Prewar bungalows and simple National homes with porches are common, as are slightly newer ranch-style and minimal traditional homes; these homes typically sell for $100,000 to $350,000. Newer construction built on empty lots since the 1990s sell for $270,000 to $425,000. While many homes are in good condition throughout Campostella, some blocks are pocketed by homes with significant rehabilitation needs or vacant lots turned into urban prairie. The neighborhood’s proximity to downtown Norfolk, as well as its lower housing prices, attract plenty of investors alongside owner occupants, something that is reflected in its faster-than-average real estate market. Nationally, homes sell in an average of 45 days, while the average Campostella property sells in just 27. Campostella’s CAP Index crime score of 4 is on par with the national average, but some violent crime scores are higher than average.

Homes in Campostella include Queen Anne style.
Homes in Campostella include Queen Anne style.
Older homes and newly constructed homes sit side by side in some areas of Campostella.
Older homes and newly constructed homes sit side by side in some areas of Campostella.
Many Campostella homes include two-car garages.
Many Campostella homes include two-car garages.
Even the smallest homes in Campostella ooze that sought-after historic charm.
Even the smallest homes in Campostella ooze that sought-after historic charm.
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The Southside Aquatics Center and Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library

While some Norfolk city pools are open only through the warmer months, the indoor Southside Aquatics Center invites swimmers to breathe in the chlorinated air and do some laps all year long. While free swims are popular, so are events like swim meets and aerobic classes. A playground and some athletic courts are available between the Diggs Town Recreation Center and Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center. The Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library opened off Campostella Road in 2021, bringing the community a modern, multimedia library space and a sprawling outdoor Nature Explorium, inviting kids to explore learning stations on the surrounding grounds. Outside of being a hub for multimedia learning, the library also brings the community together for events like the Stop the Violence Team’s annual Juneteenth Parade.

Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library in Campostella serves as a local hub for knowledge.
Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library in Campostella serves as a local hub for knowledge.
The Aquatic Center offers fun and fitness to the neighborhood year-round in Campostella.
The Aquatic Center offers fun and fitness to the neighborhood year-round in Campostella.
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Shopping and dining on Poindexter Street, in the Waterside District

Beyond a few scattered fast-food restaurants, Campostella does not have much of a shopping or dining scene. About a mile down Poindexter Street, diners can stop to pick up food at casual spots like Mak’s Chinese Restaurant and Sal’s NY Pizza and Subs. The E. Palmer Supermarket is a locally owned grocery store that stocks international pantry staples about a mile away from home. Throughout Campostella, small community churches like the Campostella Heights Seventh-Day Adventist Church hold religious services. "If you go across a small bridge, downtown’s not far, and the Waterside District. You can go enjoy the city life easily,” Kennedy notes.

Mak's Chinese Food, a nearby Campostella favorite, brings the community together over great
Mak's Chinese Food, a nearby Campostella favorite, brings the community together over great
Lunchtime lines form at Mak's Chinese Food, a popular spot nearby to Campostella locals.
Lunchtime lines form at Mak's Chinese Food, a popular spot nearby to Campostella locals.
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A STEM Academy at the former Campostella Elementary School

Kids can attend kindergarten through eighth grade in their neighborhood at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella, which earns a C-minus from Niche. The STEM Academy replaced the former Campostella Elementary School when it opened in 2018, offering kids project-based curriculum based around science, technology, engineering and math. Lake Taylor High School also earns a C-minus.

Students at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella engage in experiments in science classes.
Students at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella engage in experiments in science classes.
Older students of Campostella can expect to attend Lake Taylor High School.
Older students of Campostella can expect to attend Lake Taylor High School.
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Planning for future storm surge on Norfolk’s southside

The Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project has begun rolling out plans for combatting future 100-year storms, but residents of Norfolk’s southside began sounding the alarm on holes in the plan in 2023. Initial analysis by the Army Corps of Engineers did not call for building structures like floodwalls on the Elizabeth River’s southern bank due in part to 20th-century redlining practices that intentionally devalued the properties in the southside’s historically Black communities. Activists, especially from the low-lying Campostella Heights area and neighboring southside communities like Berkley, banded together to advocate for a reevaluation of the Army Corps’ property value analysis, something which Norfolk’s City Council agreed was important. Finalized plans for Campostella’s protective infrastructure will become clearer in the next few years; the overall project is expected to be finished in 2032.

Julia Szymanski
Written By
Julia Szymanski
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Becky Gaskill

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Rachel Beasley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norfolk International

16 min drive

Bus

Wilson & Cypress

Bus

Campostella & Indian River

Bus

Campostella & Melon

Bus

Indian River & Oakwood

Bus

Berkley & Crystal

Bus

Wilson & Manson

Bus

Melon & Campostella

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Campostella US
Homicide 8 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$273,450
Median Single Family Price
$274,950
Median Townhouse Price
$292,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$173
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Last 12 months Home Sales
36
Months of Supply
2.30
Median List Price
$275,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
816
Median Year Built
1953
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,558
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,963
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,227

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Rachel Beasley, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
5,022
Median Age
31
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$33,737
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,337

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
78.9%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
13.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
7''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

30 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

28 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

35 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Campostella