Real Estate Investing in Newport News, Virginia (23601)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Newport News City • Population: 26,557 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 23601 (Newport News, VA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 8.4% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Newport News, VA (23601)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $298,702
Avg Monthly Rent $1,464
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $65,299
% Renters 46.0%

Market Analysis: 23601 Newport News

The 23601 ZIP in Newport News, VA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $299K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 23601 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

The gap between 23601 and stronger Newport News ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.

The 23601 ZIP's population of 26,557 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that posts the need for careful underwriting.

The 23601 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Newport News:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,464/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 23601

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
5.2% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$82,599/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $210,975 $1,450 4.9% +5.0% $105,488
3BR $277,339 $2,010 5.2% +7.5% $92,446
4BR $338,275 $2,370 5.0% +6.7% $84,569
5BR $412,996 +7.1% $82,599

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$312K$279K$246K$213K$179K$146KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,512$1,476$1,440$1,404$1,368$1,332Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 23601 Compare?

Metric 23601 Newport News Virginia
Home Value $298,702 $283,832 $403,170
5-Year CAGR 5.9% 6.8% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,464 $1,563 -
Cap Rate 3.8% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 23601? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 46% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 23601 (Newport News, VA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.9%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $298,702
Monthly Rent $1,464
Price-to-Rent 17.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 9.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.4% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.7% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -1.0% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
8.4%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.9%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 23601

Population: 26,557

💰 Median Household Income
$65,299
This area
$65,299
State
$80,295
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
46.0%
This area
46.0%
State
25.7%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-18.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
27.3%
This area
27.3%
State
4.0%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.4 years
This area
39.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
8.4%
This area
8.4%
State
16.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 55.2%
Black/African American 35.3%
Other/Mixed 7.4%
Hispanic/Latino 4.3%
Asian 2.0%
👶 Under 18
22.8%
This area
22.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.4%
This area
15.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.9%
This area
8.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 23601

B+ Avg School Grade
6 Schools
17.0:1 Avg Class Size
$16,409 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Watkins Early Childhood Center

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
322 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Joseph H. Saunders Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
671 Students
👨‍🏫
17.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Homer L. Hines Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
844 Students
👨‍🏫
15.6:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B Good

Deer Park Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
461 Students
👨‍🏫
20.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B Good

Hilton Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
401 Students
👨‍🏫
18.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B Good

Warwick High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,605 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

B+ Above Average

Hidenwood Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 501 Blount Point Rd, Newport News
👥
520 Students
👨‍🏫
15.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Richard T. Yates Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 73 Maxwell Ln, Newport News
👥
422 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Riverside Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1100 Country Club Road, Newport News
👥
496 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
B Good

Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 1 Minton Dr, Newport News
👥
1,097 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,409 Per Student
C+ Average

Newport News & York County Governor's Health Science Academy

📚 Grade N Elementary Limited Data
📍 12465 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News
💰
$16,409 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 1,158 Off-Campus Students
B
Christopher Newport University
4,503 students · 1.7 mi
C+
Riverside College of Health Careers
325 students · 1.7 mi
C
Luckes Beauty Academy LLC
21 students · 1.8 mi
C
Virginia Peninsula Community College
6,127 students · 2.5 mi
C
Asher Institute of Hampton
118 students · 3.0 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Newport News
78 students · 4.4 mi
D
Tomorrow's Image Barber And Beauty Academy of Virginia
18 students · 6.3 mi
C
Centura College-Newport News
210 students · 6.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,158 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Newport News, VA?

Landlord-friendliness in Newport News, VA is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

Which investment style suits Newport News, VA?

Most investors in Newport News, VA run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

How much does a house cost in Newport News, VA?

The median home value in Newport News, VA is roughly $299K. That puts it reasonable relative to the VA statewide average.

Can I live-in-and-rent in Newport News, VA?

Newport News, VA is a a challenging market for house hackers. FHA or conventional owner-occupant buyers find the $299K price point reasonable to enter.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Newport News, VA?

Working renters make up the core of the Newport News, VA tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

You know 23601 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 23601 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 23601 ranks in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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