Fifth Ward
Suburban Neighborhood in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport County 02840
Condo units in remodeled mansions and single-family cottages
In the Fifth Ward, each home has a history — some date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and it’s not uncommon to see plaques identifying original owners, ship captains and military men who walked Newport’s streets 200 years ago. Narrow one-ways are lined with multi-story cottages, Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and Victorians. Gilded Age mansions stand alone on quieter streets, and many of these older houses have been divided into condominiums. A one-bedroom space can sell for under $400,000, and some larger units with water views fetch upwards of $1 million. Single-family homes tend to hover between $700,000 and $2 million, and many properties on the higher end of the spectrum have undergone extensive internal remodelings that include central air conditioning and open floor plans. In the Fifth Ward, buyers are paying for location: proximity to Thames Street and the harbor. Homes with rooftop decks overlooking the water have been known to sell for upwards of $2 million.
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Grass courts at the Tennis Hall of Fame and A-list artists at music festivals
At the Tennis Hall of Fame, visitors learn about the history of the sport and check out high-tech temporary exhibits like the Roger Federer Hologram. The museum’s outdoor grass courts, which were the site of the first-ever U.S. Open in 1881, are open to non-members and members alike, although the latter are guaranteed unlimited time. Sit in the stands for the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in July. There’s also the historic Jane Pickens Film and Event Center, which screens blockbuster movies and hosts touring bands. The Folk and Jazz Festivals bring thousands of music fans to Fort Adams State Park each year, and A-listers like James Brown, Nina Simone and Dolly Parton have all performed on the famous outdoor stage overlooking the Pell Bridge. Come June, celebrate Pride in Downtown Newport. Watch the bike parade, drag performances and pick up unique gifts from local vendors.
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Irish pubs and Italian eateries on Thames Street
One of the benefits of living in this Newport neighborhood is access to Thames Street shops and restaurants. Lexi Anderson, a Fifth Ward resident and former substitute teacher in the Newport Public Schools recommends O’Brien’s for its pub fare and pool tables. “On almost any given day in the summer, you can find the outdoor patio pretty full. There’s even a fountain with rubber ducks kids can fish for and a lively crowd drinking and dancing on the weekend,” she says. O’Brien’s also hosts karaoke and trivia nights during the week. Harvest Market is a go-to place for picking up iced coffee and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on the weekends, and reservations are recommended at Mamma Luisa Ristorante Italiano, which has been perfecting its pasta dishes for decades. Summer evenings are spent window shopping with an ice cream cone from Sprinkles in hand, and residents can pick up groceries at the Stop & Shop in Bellevue Plaza or at A Market in the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center. There’s also Ash Mart, which Anderson calls “a local classic convenience store” on Carroll Avenue.
Senior Projects at Rogers High School
Fifth Ward students can enroll in Newport Public Schools. There’s Claiborne Pell Elementary, graded a C by the educational review site, Niche, Thompson Middle, which earned a C-plus, and the B-rated Rogers High, where students are expected to complete a “Senior Project” in their final year. After hours of mentor-guided research in subjects of their choice, 12th-graders present in front of a panel. Private school options in the area include St. Michael’s Country Day, which was awarded an A-minus, and St. George’s, known for its ocean views and A-plus Niche score.
Pell and Mount Hope Bridges connect Aquidneck to mainland Rhode Island
Although restaurants and stores are within walking distance for most residents of the Fifth Ward, Route 138 and the Pell Bridge offer easy passage off of the island. There’s also the Mount Hope Bridge to the north, which connects Aquidneck to East Bay Rhode Island; RIPTA bus 60 follows this route, stopping on Broadway, passing by Newport Hospital and crossing the Mount Hope Bay on its way to Kennedy Plaza. Residents will typically book flights out of T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, but there’s also Boston Logan International, which offers more nonstop options 70-plus miles away.
Merry-go-rounds, Little League and Yacht Clubs
In the Fifth Ward, condensed residential streets and business centers are accented by parks. Anderson recommends Morton Park, located at the end of Thames Street behind Ash Mart. “I grew up walking there and playing in the trees and on the old merry-go-round,” she says. King Park is located right on the water. “It’s home to some of the Newport Little League’s baseball fields, and there’s also a gazebo where a summer concert series is held. People come to listen to live music in the sun.” Some locals also belong to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, and kids and adults can take sailing classes in Newport Harbor.Important to know: noise along Thames and free parking during the off-season
During the summer months, Thames Street can get noisy. Afternoons are punctuated by car horns and chattering tourists. Groups of college students and Bachelorette parties can be heard leaving The Dockside (a club on the water) late a night, and restaurant patios host live bands. However, according to Bowser, there’s free parking during the off-season, a benefit year-rounders take advantage of.
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Written By
Sara Caskey
Video By
Jahlil Harris
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Connor Dowd
Connor Dowd
Keller Williams Coastal
(401) 830-9302
406 Total Sales
5 in Fifth Ward
$405K - $1.1M Price Range
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Samuel Alba
Samuel Alba
RE/MAX Innovations
(401) 406-4077
624 Total Sales
3 in Fifth Ward
$659K - $870K Price Range
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Tracie Hall
Tracie Hall
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Coastal
(401) 753-4636
93 Total Sales
1 in Fifth Ward
$1,300,000 Price
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Debbie Scanlon
Debbie Scanlon
Responds QuicklyJack Conway & Co Inc.
(774) 713-9010
90 Total Sales
1 in Fifth Ward
$920,000 Price
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Carl Guild
Carl Guild
Responds QuicklyCarl Guild & Associates
(860) 936-9722
321 Total Sales
1 in Fifth Ward
$780,000 Price
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Bethany Cox
Bethany Cox
Responds QuicklyHomeSmart Professionals
(630) 984-2085
22 Total Sales
2 in Fifth Ward
$600K - $1.3M Price Range
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
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- K to 4th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
King Park
- Trails
- Beach
- Playground
Harry G. Hogan Memorial Field
Spencer Park
The Cliff Walk
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Fifth Ward | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Fifth Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fifth Ward, Newport sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Fifth Ward, Newport over the last 12 months is $909,500, up 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,095,000
Median Sale Price
$909,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,073,750
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,495,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$394,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
35
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
25%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$700
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,273
Number of Homes for Sale
12
Median Year Built
1920
Months of Supply
4.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,667
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,012
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
928
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
686
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356
Open Houses
-
Sunday, Jun 1511am - 12:30pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,870
Median Age
34
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$100,628
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$125,576
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.5%
College Graduates
63.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
22
/ 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
Bellevue Avenue and Estates
A historic playground for Gilded Age tycoons near the Atlantic Ocean
Historic Hill
A blend of history and modernity in the bustling heart of downtown Newport
Lily-Almy Pond
Quiet, coastal Newport neighborhood south of the Thames Street business corridor
Kay-Catherine
Historic architecture, large lots and a more secluded lifestyle
Memorial Boulevard
Walkable, waterfront neighborhood south of Memorial Boulevard in east Newport
Ocean Drive
Luxury living by the water in Newport, Rhode Island
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