A Local's Guide to Two Newport News ZIP Codes: 23607 and 23602
I have lived in Newport News since 2016, and two ZIP codes keep coming up with my buyers: 23607, at the downtown end of the city, and 23602, in the middle of it.
They are very different places, and each has something the other does not.
If you are deciding between them, the better question is not just, “Which one is cheaper?” It is, “Which one fits the way I actually live?”
Here is what is in each area, where I spend my own time, and what homes cost.
23607: downtown and the waterfront
This is the southern end of the city, on the James River, and it is the most affordable place to buy in Newport News.
The typical home value here is about $188,000, the lowest of any ZIP code in the city.
What it feels like
23607 feels more connected to downtown Newport News, the waterfront, and the shipyard side of the city.
It is a good fit for buyers who care more about affordability, water access, or keeping their commute short to Newport News Shipbuilding or the Southside.
What is nearby
The waterfront. Victory Landing Park sits downtown next to the Victory Arch, with views of the James River and the shipyard.
King-Lincoln Park. You get beach access, fishing, a playground, and tennis courts.
A short commute. The shipyard is right here, and Interstate 664 crosses from downtown toward Suffolk and the rest of the Southside.
Huntington Park. A short drive up Warwick Boulevard, at the foot of the James River Bridge, you will find a beach, rose gardens, the Fort Fun playground, a tennis center, and the Virginia War Museum.
Who it may work well for
23607 may make sense if you want a lower entry price, you work nearby, or you would rather have waterfront access and convenience to the southern end of the city than be close to major shopping areas.
Where you will find me
At Tanpopo Ramen in Newmarket, a short drive north.
It is my favorite place to eat.
23602: the middle of everything
If 23607 is the waterfront, 23602 is where the errands get done.
The typical home value here is about $313,000, the second highest in the city.
What it feels like
23602 is one of those areas where a lot of everyday life can happen within a pretty small radius.
Shopping, restaurants, parks, and highway access are all close together, which makes it practical for people who want convenience without having to cross the entire city for basic errands.
What is nearby
Shopping and dining in one place. Patrick Henry Mall and Jefferson Commons sit across Jefferson Avenue from each other. Jefferson Commons has Trader Joe's, Kohl's, and T.J. Maxx, plus a row of restaurants.
Riverview Farm Park. It has nearly three miles of paved trails, soccer fields, and Fantasy Farm, a 30,000-square-foot playground.
Easy highway access. Interstate 64 meets Jefferson Avenue next to the mall, so Williamsburg is a straight run in one direction and Hampton in the other.
Who it may work well for
23602 may make sense if you want shopping, restaurants, parks, and I-64 access close together, especially if your routine takes you toward Williamsburg, Hampton, or other parts of the Peninsula.
Where you will find me
At the mall or somewhere in Jefferson Commons, probably combining three errands into one trip.
Which one sounds more like you?
If you are choosing between these two parts of Newport News, the biggest difference is really lifestyle.
23607 may appeal more if you care about affordability, waterfront access, or a shorter commute to the shipyard or Southside.
23602 may appeal more if you want everyday shopping, restaurants, parks, and highway access close together.
Neither is automatically “better.” They just solve different problems.
And that is usually the more useful way to compare neighborhoods: not by asking which one sounds best on paper, but by asking which one fits your actual week.
Want a closer look?
I am happy to show you either area the way I know it.
Tell me your price range and what matters most to you, and I will send a current list of homes in 23607, 23602, or both.
Home values are Zillow Home Value Index figures for August 2026, as reported by HomeValuePros. Park details are from Newport News Parks & Recreation.
