$1,031,851Average Value$434Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Thames St. traffic in Fifth Ward can get heavy during rush hour so locals opt for walking.
Tourists flood Thames Street in the summer
On Thames Street, souvenir shop windows advertise “Newport, RI” tee shirts and tourists book 15-minute tarot readings in second-floor walk-ups. Here, having an ice cream cone in hand is just as common as a shopping bag. Traffic picks up in the Fifth Ward during the summer season — roughly between Memorial Day and Labor Day — and driving means making way for pedestrians in flip-flops and beach cover-ups. Parking can be challenging during this time of year, but the town issues resident stickers to year-rounders. Along with the Thames Street shopping district (also known as the Fifth Ward), Newport is known for its beaches and long-standing ties to the country’s wealthiest. At the end of the 19th century, the area became known as a summer playground for Gilded Age magnates like Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan, men who built 60,000-square-foot “cottages” overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; today these mansions are popular tourist attractions. According to AnnaLeigh Bowser, a team leader at the Newport Preservation Society, “The Breakers” brings in the most visitors, and it’s been in operation as a historical site to tour since 1948. “There’s also a regular lecture series. We’ll sometimes host concerts.” In the winter, when the mansions, souvenir shops and clam shacks close their doors for the season, life in Newport’s Fifth Ward quiets down, and pubs like O’Brien’s are repopulated by self-proclaimed “townies” rather than tourists.
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.
Fifth Ward is flanked on it's west coast with large, waterfront condos and mansion properties.
Fall in love with Newport's historic charm, where colonial homes create an inviting atmosphere.
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Hungry customers line the windows at Willy's Weiners on Thames St. in Fifth Ward.
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.
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.
Bellevue has some incredible shops and amenities like the Tennis Hall of Fame, and Audrain.
Fort Adams near Fifth Ward is the premier outdoor event space in the Newport area.
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Morton Park is a beautiful, well-maintained open space for a walk in fresh air in Fifth Ward.
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.
Rogers High School in Newport has a hub-and-spoke design and is getting a new front building.
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.
The Pell Bridge Towers near Fifth Ward are among the tallest structures in RI.
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.
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.
Thames St. traffic in Fifth Ward can get heavy during rush hour so locals opt for walking.
In the summer, tourists and local residents flood the streets of Fifth Ward and Newport.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Samuel Alba,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
King Park
Trails
Beach
Playground
Harry G. Hogan Memorial Field
Spencer Park
The Cliff Walk
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
49 min drive
Fifth Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fifth Ward, Newport sell after 112 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Fifth Ward, Newport over the last 12 months is $534,000, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located just off Bellevue, Belmont Carriage House is an exquisite brick carriage house designed by renowned architect Horace Trumbauer (the Elms & Clarendon Court). Steeped in history, this home was once part of a grand Bellevue estate known as By-the-Sea, a gift to Perry Belmont from his illustrious brother, Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont. Today, the home has been masterfully updated & restored,
Fully restored, and de-leaded 3 unit on oversized lot (25% building cov.) in the heart of Newport's Historic Yachting Village! Located steps to Thames Street and all Newport has to offer, this is a tremendous investment or owner occupant opportunity offering as high as a 7.2% Cap Rate--a stellar return for the area, and up to 9 PARKING SPACES. The entire home has been renovated and restored from
Welcome to 13 Vaughan Avenue, a 3 Bedroom/3 Bathroom single-family residence nestled in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island. This charming home, built in 1989, has 3 levels of comfortable living space that will suit a number of lifestyles. Set on a tranquil street in the desirable Fifth Ward neighborhood. As you step inside, you're greeted by a warm and inviting interior that features an open
12 month lease. Unfurnished. Not a winter rental. Available October 1, 2025This apartment is in very good condition. Wood floors throughout. First floor. High ceilings. Victorian charm. Four bedrooms. Two full bathrooms. Nice kitchen. Good storage. Easy street parking. Free dedicated washer/dryer in basement. Pets negotiableQuiet street in 5th ward, but only a few steps to lower
AVAILABLE JAN-APRIL $10,000 PER MONTH-MAY $15,000 MO.. Enjoy Newport in the off season in this wonderful brand new modern oasis. This perfectly designed home lives up to all glamour and allure of it's Newport setting. Located on a quaint street with plenty of off street parking plus garage space. You are walking distance to Bellevue Avenue, countless Mansions, restaurants, parks, beaches and
Available August 1st for a yearly term! $3000+ (tenant pays all utilities): This unfurnished, 3 bed/2 bath house is nestled on a tranquil, dead-end street on the south end of town. Beautifully renovated, this duplex offers the perfect blend of peace and convenience. Featuring two comfortable bedrooms and a full bathroom, this charming home boasts a fully equipped kitchen complete with a
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Samuel Alba,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
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.
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.
