New Castle Island
Neighborhood in New Castle, New Hampshire
Rockingham County 03854
Some homes near the water date back hundreds of years
The island’s hilly residential streets typically feature homes with tidy landscaping, pocket gardens and shade trees. A few homes have waterfront views, but even those inland properties are within a quick walk of the water. Some of New Castle Island’s meticulously maintained homes date as far back as the 1600s and 1700s, including Cape Cods, Colonials and saltbox styles with simple wood beam or clapboard exteriors. Homes on the island were built throughout the last several centuries, including the 21st. And even though they were built more recently, many of these newer homes still draw from older styles, with mid-century Colonial Revivals and new traditional homes sometimes spanning over 5,000 square feet, yet still blending seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. “When we sell houses in New Castle, it’s easily as much or more about the location as it is about the house. People are willing to make trade-offs to live in New Castle,” Sylvester says. New Castle Island’s median home price is $2.2 million, and homes typically priced between $1.5 million and $2.7 million.
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Many options for coastal recreation
Located where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the island has plentiful coastal recreation. “No matter where you live, you go by the water every day,” Sylvester says. And that proximity to the ocean means ocean-going vessels that need somewhere to stay. Safe Harbor Wentworth by the Sea located in Little Harbor is a marina where boat owners can keep their yachts. Kittery Point Yacht Club and Portsmouth Yacht Club are both private clubs that offer access to smaller marinas, in addition to opportunities for sailboat instruction and racing, along with club-sponsored social events. But given the realities of dealing with Mother Nature, mariners need to plan to take advantage of the summer months to get out on the water. “Up here in New England, the season is limited. You put your boat in sometime in May and pull it out in October,” Sylvester says.The calm water between New Castle Island and Portsmouth, known as the Back Channel, also allows for kayaking and paddleboarding. On the eastern side of the island, locals can lay out on New Castle Beach for views of the deep blue water, Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and boats in the near distance. The beach extends into the Great Island Common, which has a playground and picnic area on the water, and Fort Stark State Historic Site, one of two state parks on the island that showcase the island’s nautical history. Wentworth by the Sea Country Club is a private club with an 18-hole Scottish links-style golf course, tennis courts, a pool and clubhouse with a full bar and restaurant just across the causeway from New Castle.
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Students attend elementary school on the island
Children living on the island typically attend the Maude H. Trefethen School for kindergarten through fifth grade. This is the only school on the island and has an A-plus grade from Niche. “It’s one of the highest rated in the country and state,” Sylvester says. “There are 30 kids in the school. It’s a nice little community.” At Trefethen, students participate in peer mentorship and learn alongside other grades in the same classrooms. Students continue to either A-rated Rye Junior High School or A-rated Portsmouth Middle School. From there, kids from both middle schools attend A-rated Portsmouth High School.
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Flooding is rarely an issue in New Castle
According to Sylvester, flooding is rarely an issue on the island, as it is mostly protected from the direct force of the Atlantic Ocean, which helps reduce erosion. Tides and storms can occasionally flood the causeways, but Sylvester says it only takes a couple of hours to subside in these infrequent cases. “Last year was the first year when there was any water going over both the causeways [at once],” she says.Getting to Boston and Portsmouth from New Castle
Downtown Portsmouth, about 3 miles west of the island, is accessible by car or bike via Portsmouth Avenue. Wentworth Road also connects the island to the mainland. Boston is 60 miles south and commutable in just over an hour via Interstate 95. Just north of the island is Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth International Airport is 8 miles west, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital is 6 miles west.Dining on the island and plenty more in downtown Portsmouth
Wentworth by the Sea is a grand hotel that has operated on the island since 1874. The hotel’s flagship restaurant Salt Kitchen and Bar has an upscale menu that includes fresh seafood and wine pairings. Latitudes, also in the hotel, offer diners waterfront views and favorites like lobster rolls, scallops and tuna. Across the island, The Island Cafe has pastries, made-to-order coffee and more breakfast items. Hannaford and Market Basket offer grocery options across the causeway in Portsmouth. Downtown Portsmouth is about a 10-minute drive away and has many more shopping, dining and cultural options. “Portsmouth is the closest thing to a city on the Sea Coast you’re going to find. Downtown Portsmouth is a huge draw. There's a lot going on there,” Sylvester says.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
Video By
Anthony Pesa
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Todd Hudson
Todd Hudson
Responds QuicklyRed Post Realty
(207) 994-8466
64 Total Sales
1 in New Castle Island
$1,795,000 Price
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Jamieson Duston
Jamieson Duston
Responds QuicklyDuston Leddy Real Estate
(877) 764-9296
196 Total Sales
2 in New Castle Island
$2.2M - $2.7M Price Range
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Joe Leddy
Joe Leddy
Responds QuicklyDuston Leddy Real Estate
(844) 946-3775
186 Total Sales
2 in New Castle Island
$4M - $4.6M Price Range
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Michelle D'aoust
Michelle D'aoust
Responds QuicklyBHHS Verani Seacoast
(844) 964-1414
95 Total Sales
1 in New Castle Island
$1,100,000 Price
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Sharon Parker
Sharon Parker
Responds QuicklyTate & Foss Sotheby's International Rlty
(207) 994-8579
59 Total Sales
1 in New Castle Island
$1,190,000 Price
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Pam Cameron
Pam Cameron
Responds QuicklyKW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty
(351) 529-6167
98 Total Sales
1 in New Castle Island
$2,900,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 6th
- Public
Parks in this Area
Great Island Common
Transit
New Castle Island Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in New Castle Island, New Castle sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in New Castle Island, New Castle over the last 12 months is $2,695,000, down 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$2,647,500
Median Sale Price
$2,695,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,200,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$965
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
229
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1987
Months of Supply
8.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,986
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,303
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
3,019
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,861
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,503
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
973
Median Age
63
Population under 18
11.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
44.5%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$161,702
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$183,694
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.5%
College Graduates
72.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
42''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
33
/ 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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