The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 22437 sells for about $350,000, or $206 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.9% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,650 a month.
ZIP 22437 — Center Cross
The Colonial Beach housing market remains stable, supported by steady demand for waterfront and vacation-style properties. While inventory is limited, the market is seeing moderate price appreciation driven by buyers seeking lifestyle changes. The area's reliance on tourism and its flood-prone geography remain key factors for prospective buyers to consider.
This area is ideal for retirees, second-home buyers, and those seeking a quiet, river-oriented lifestyle away from the dense urban centers of Northern Virginia.
Median prices moved up 2.9% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 5.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.7% · poverty 1.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 22443, Westmoreland County VA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Colonial Beach are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type.
Schools serving the area are part of the Westmoreland County Public Schools system, which maintains a moderate rating profile.
The area faces significant flood risk due to its location along the Potomac River, necessitating flood insurance for many waterfront and low-lying properties.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, local government, and proximity to regional military installations like Dahlgren.
Property taxes are assessed by Westmoreland County based on fair market value, with rates set annually by the Board of Supervisors.
Commuting typically requires personal vehicle use, with travel times to major employment hubs like Fredericksburg or Northern Virginia often exceeding 60 minutes.
The area is defined by its riverfront access, featuring public beaches, marinas, fishing piers, and local parks along the Potomac River.
The rental market is heavily influenced by seasonal tourism and short-term vacation rentals, which can limit long-term housing availability.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, hospitality, and small-scale retail, with many residents commuting to regional government and defense employers.
Public transit is limited; the area relies on state highway corridors for regional connectivity.
Development is focused on maintaining the town's historic character while upgrading aging infrastructure.
Westmoreland County performs periodic reassessments to align property values with current market conditions.
Parcels are subject to county-wide school and general government levies, with no major MUD/PID districts reported.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to the area's designation as a high-risk flood zone.
The area has seen modest population growth driven by retirees and remote workers relocating from higher-cost urban areas.
Virginia is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient trustee sales.
Virginia requires sellers to provide a residential property disclosure statement, though it is largely 'caveat emptor' regarding the condition of the property.
Data retrieved from Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A popular destination for fishing and sightseeing on the Potomac.
Public sandy beach area along the riverfront.
Provides boat slips and water access for residents and visitors.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.