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Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Suburban Neighborhood in Rhode Island

Newport County 02871

$829,026 Average Value
$419 Average Price per Sq Ft
8 Homes For Sale
"Old Flora" is an eighteen-pounder British canon in the Portsmouth neighborhood 's Legion Park.
"Old Flora" is an eighteen-pounder British canon in the Portsmouth neighborhood 's Legion Park.

History lives on here

Portsmouth is just behind Providence as the second oldest municipality in Rhode Island. Founded in 1638, this charming waterside town is top of the list in other regards. Portsmouth’s 49-mile shoreline is the longest of any town in Rhode Island. Today, the area serves nearly 18,000 residents with quaint homes, unique business opportunities, fun dining experiences and noteworthy schools. Portsmouth may have a lot of history – and a lot of shoreline, too, but the town contains so much more than that. It offers opportunities to connect with the community and feel a sense of home.

The Portsmouth Dog Park gives residents a fun spot to have some off-leash play and running.
The Portsmouth Dog Park gives residents a fun spot to have some off-leash play and running.

Portsmouth parks, attractions and amenity

Escobar’s Farmhouse Inn, which has been open since 2010, is an engaging retreat and another community staple. Fireworks on the Fourth of July are observed from the back of the farm’s property, while the cooler months provide visitors with the opportunity to go wandering through a corn maze. Highland Farms sits across the street, and it has been run by the Escobar team for much longer – since 1972, to be exact. It’s one of the few remaining dairy farms left in Rhode Island. Portsmouth Free Public Library is an additional educational resource. Situated in a white building with ornate siding, it first began in the living rooms of local book lovers. The library’s 125th anniversary was celebrated in 2022, and it continues to offer book clubs today. McCorrie Point Beach is a scenic public spot to soak up the sun and waves during warmer summer months.

In the Portsmouth neighborhood a dock is a great asset to a home's value.
In the Portsmouth neighborhood a dock is a great asset to a home's value.

Historic New England housing on the water

"Lots of people here enjoy the recreation, whether it's golfing or riding at an equestrian center," says Alexandra Thursby, a listing agent with Lila Delman Compass. She also notes the value of proximity: "With Portsmouth, you’re close to Newport, you’re close to Boston, it's very convenient to the highway." Portsmouth is welcoming to first-time homebuyers and veteran homeowners alike. Buyers can find Cape Cod-influenced colonial revivals with covered front porches on spacious lots starting at around $460,000. These multi-level homes often feature recent updates to key features like plumbing and heat. Closer to the $1 million range, there’s a variety of elaborate, luxurious constructions one can choose from. Aged, meticulous multi-level homes situated on cul-de-sac streets feel both timeless and contemporary. Houses sit on slight slopes towards Narragansett Bay with features such as striking color palettes, textured wood shingle siding on the outside and clean modern interiors. Additional styles are also available in Portsmouth, such as modern log cabins, split levels and new traditional builds.

Clements Market in Portsmouth is a full-service grocery store with great meats and fish.
Clements Market in Portsmouth is a full-service grocery store with great meats and fish.

Seaside finds and eats

East Main Road slices down the middle of Portsmouth, putting residents in touch with all sorts of local dining and retail destinations. Foodworks, adorned simply with white walls, offers diners a breakfast of Belgian waffles, omelets and avocado toast. Lunch staples at Foodworks include salads, cold-cut sandwiches, hot subs and soups. It’s the kind of place Portsmouth residents rely on for a tasty meal in a pinch. Clements’ Marketplace is a local favorite when it comes to grocery shopping. Established in 1980, this family-run business likes to connect with the community. Starting in 2003, it began hosting a summer event called All Natural Day. Customers visit the outdoor tent and get to sample fresh goods, many of them made in Rhode Island and touted under the philosophy of “try it before you buy it.”

Highly-rated small town schooling

Young students in Portsmouth are normally split between Melville Elementary and Howard W Hathaway Elementary, which earn A-minus and B-plus grades from Niche, respectively. For secondary school, most kids move up to Portsmouth Middle and High schools, which both earn A-minus grades. Portsmouth High School has an enrollment of over 800 students at the 9th-12th grade level and is known for its strong sports programs across the board.

Getting around town

Portsmouth offers residents the secluded, peaceful life of a coastal New England town, but the neighborhood isn’t completely isolated. In true convenient New England fashion, it sits less than 10 miles from both the heart of Newport, Rhode Island, to the south and Fall River, Massachusetts, to the north. Additionally, downtown Providence is around a 30-mile drive, while New Bedford is just over 20 miles east. Despite the plethora of farms and forests, bus lines run on both East Main and West Main roads.

Important to know

Other notable establishments in the area include aerospace conglomerate Raytheon’s Seapower Capability Center, which employs nearly 1700 workers just under 4 miles to the southwest.

Paul Spencer
Written By
Paul Spencer

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 Connor Dowd, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Rhode Island Tf Green International

49 min drive

Bus

E Main Opposite Child

Bus

3111 E Main

Bus

E Main Before Hedly

Bus

E Main Before Crossings

Bus

East Main & Turnpike

Bus

E Main Before Sea Meadow

Bus

E Main & Portsmouth Police Hq

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Portsmouth US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$610,333
Median Single Family Price
$699,500
Median Townhouse Price
$545,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$887,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$419
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Months of Supply
3.10
Median List Price
$724,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,381
Median Year Built
1975
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,150
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,965
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,702
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
980
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
20,473

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    10 - 11:30am

    161 Freeborn St, Portsmouth, RI 02871

    $629,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,020 Sq Ft
    • 161 Freeborn St
    • New 2 days ago

    Nestled on a hillside, down a long bucolic driveway, is a quaint, country, two-bed, two-bath, single-level home filled with sunlight and charm. The cottage provides an open concept kitchen-to-family room with vaulted ceilings. The residence is completed by a primary bedroom with en-suite bath, guest bedroom, and hall bath. A set of glass doors leads you to the deck for outdoor entertaining. There

    Dina Karousos Gustave White Sotheby's Realty

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11:30am - 12:30pm

    14 Ash St Unit C, Portsmouth, RI 02871

    $325,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 856 Sq Ft
    • 14 Ash St
    • Unit C
    • New 9 days ago

    Bright & Airy 2-Bedroom Condo with Private Yard and Garage Welcome to this charming and sun-filled 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo featuring an open layout with hardwood flooring throughout. Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living with a private deck off the spacious living room perfect for morning coffee or entertaining guests. This home offers the convenience of in-unit laundry, an integrated 1-car

    Ryan Hazinakis Keller Williams Coastal

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    11:30am - 1pm

    18 Sunset Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871

    $1,639,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,701 Sq Ft
    • 18 Sunset Ln
    • New 27 days ago

    Home by The Sea Experience picturesque waterscapes, rises of moon and sun above the Sakonnet, and easy access to the waterfront. Completely remodeled in 2025, this comfortable ranch boasts serene water views and beautiful grounds with tennis court. Flooded with natural light interior features cathedral ceilings and ash hardwood floors throughout, a spacious entry room with sitting area and a

    Elena Wilcox Gustave White Sotheby's Realty

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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 Connor Dowd, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,806
Median Age
49
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$116,485
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$129,375

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94%
College Graduates
58.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
24.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
32''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

23 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

10 / 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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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
Portsmouth