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Downtown Portsmouth

Downtown Portsmouth

Suburban Neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth County 23704

$252,453 Average Value
$146 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

Blending history with new look

Walking along the streets of Downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, where charming, historic homes are a backdrop to busy modern-day life, the concept of time travel almost starts to seem possible. “You have the pure colonial vibe in the Olde Towne part of Downtown Portsmouth. But you run into a new era near the waterfront, which they’re revitalizing,” says Robert Fields, a Portsmouth native, professional photographer and founding member of the Raby Foundation, a non-profit that provides scholarships and support for Hampton Roads-area youth and families. “The waterfront is an up-and-coming area for young folks, while the Olde Towne area is more nostalgic.” Speaking of nostalgia, Fields has many fond memories of Downtown Portsmouth. “Growing up in Portsmouth was fantastic. There are some special places downtown I remember loving to visit as a kid, like the Lightship Museum – a historic floating lighthouse that’s docked near the Renaissance Hotel," Fields says. "Seeing those things in Downtown Portsmouth as a kid gave me my life-long interest in history.”

Georgians, Victorians and high rise condos

Downtown Portsmouth’s mix of home styles, from stately brick Georgians and ornate Victorians to contemporary condominiums and riverside high rises, reflect its evolution from a colonial town to modern city. Home sizes range from 600 to 4,800 square feet with one to five bedrooms, and list prices fall between $150,000 and $650,000.

Downtown Portsmouth has beautiful, three-story homes.
Downtown Portsmouth has beautiful, three-story homes.
There are also high-rise residences on the water in Downtown Portsmouth.
There are also high-rise residences on the water in Downtown Portsmouth.
Find historic homes in Downtown Portsmouth.
Find historic homes in Downtown Portsmouth.
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Fort Nelson Park's naval history

For some outdoor time and a history lesson, residents can venture to Fort Nelson Park, where they’ll learn about the historic Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and explore naval artifacts as they meander along the 3-acre park’s tree-lined paved paths. There’s also Lafayette Park, a quaint pocket park that features a stately brick arched entrance and is dedicated to a great friend of the American Revolution, the Marquis de Lafayette. From there, a stroll along the River Front Walk awards stunning views of the Elizabeth River, and the Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill provides a riverside respite for hungry walkers. Music lovers can enjoy a variety of outdoor, waterside concerts during the warmer months at the Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion, and the Children’s Museum of Virginia provides entertaining activities for the little ones, rain or shine. According to Fields, The Commodore movie theater, with its groovy 1960s feel, is a big favorite of locals. “It’s a great place to watch a movie, a staple of Portsmouth.”

Enjoy a walk along the Elizabeth River in Downtown Portsmouth.
Enjoy a walk along the Elizabeth River in Downtown Portsmouth.
There are many cute displays around the Children's Museum of Virginia in Downtown Portsmouth.
There are many cute displays around the Children's Museum of Virginia in Downtown Portsmouth.
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Bavarian meals at the Bier Garden

The Bier Garden on High Street is another popular dining spot where patrons can enjoy an authentic Bavarian meal with an ice-cold beer. After the bratwurst, The Bier Garden's quaint gift shop, featuring a collection of German groceries and merchandise, beckons visitors to have a browse. Locals can head to the nearby Food Lion on London Boulevard for regular grocery store runs.

The Bier Garden is a popular German restaurant in Downtown Portsmouth.
The Bier Garden is a popular German restaurant in Downtown Portsmouth.
Residents of Downtown Portsmouth get their groceries from Food Lion.
Residents of Downtown Portsmouth get their groceries from Food Lion.
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Art, music shows and paddling contests in Downtown Portsmouth

In addition to good food, Downtown Portsmouth also offers good fun with several annual events. They include the Seawall Art Show with its one-of-a-kind works from local artists; the Paddle Battle where participants paddle board or kayak to victory along the Elizabeth River; and the Holiday Music Festival, Portsmouth’s signature holiday event.

I. C. Norcom High School serves students in Downtown Portsmouth.
I. C. Norcom High School serves students in Downtown Portsmouth.

Norcom High's MAMS program

Area children attend Portsmouth City Public Schools, including Park View Elementary, which receives a C rating from Niche, and Churchland Middle, rated a B. Next, students move to the historic I.C. Norcom High, which earns a C-minus from Niche and is home to the school district’s Magnet Adventures in Mathematics and Science – MAMS – program in cooperation with Norfolk State University. “I know a lot of teachers who work in the Portsmouth school system,” Fields says. “They put their best foot forward when it comes to their students.”

Elizabeth River Ferry to Norfolk

With Portsmouth's long history as a maritime city, it’s fitting that a boat – the Elizabeth River Ferry, to be specific – is one of the ways commuters can choose to travel from Downtown Portsmouth to the nearby city of Norfolk rather than battle the traffic, tolls and tunnels that tend to define the area’s freeways. However, for Portsmouth commuters who must travel farther afield than Norfolk, Interstate 264 is less than a mile away.

Kristen Hughes
Written By
Kristen Hughes
Theresa Jackson
Photography Contributed By
Theresa Jackson
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 Janez Hargrove, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norfolk International

19 min drive

Bus

Effingham & North

Bus

County & Phoebus

Bus

Crawford & Webster

Bus

County & Crabapple

Bus

Bart & Court

Bus

Crawford & Hatton

Bus

High & Crawford

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Portsmouth US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$244,000
Median Single Family Price
$271,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$102,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$87,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$146
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Last 12 months Home Sales
35
Months of Supply
3.80
Median List Price
$222,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-6%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
516
Median Year Built
1986
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,790
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,311
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
908
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
702
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

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 Janez Hargrove, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,860
Median Age
36
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$48,231
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,207

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
88.5%
College Graduates
26.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

59 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

77 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

45 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Downtown Portsmouth
Janez Hargrove
Paragon Real Estate Group
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