3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 253xxCharleston, WV area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 253 changed +7.9% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +8.0% for West Virginia and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 25301–25320. Most of its 2010 population lived in Kanawha County (100%). Communities in the region include South Charleston, Cross Lanes, Sissonville, Rand, Chesapeake. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +7.9%
- 5-year change
- +35.9%
- Since Q1 1995
- +145%
- National rank (1 year)
- 53rd
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 253 vs West Virginia and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 253: 244.9
- West Virginia: 293.3
- Charleston, WV metro: 255.3
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 253 | WV | U.S. | Gap vs WV | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +7.9% | +8.0% | +3.0% | −0.1 pts | +4.9 pts |
| 3 years | +21.2% | +21.8% | +12.9% | −0.6 pts | +8.4 pts |
| 5 years | +35.9% | +43.5% | +41.3% | −7.6 pts | −5.4 pts |
| 10 years | +47.2% | +68.5% | +93.3% | −21.4 pts | −46.1 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +145% | +193% | +292% | −48.4 pts | −146.6 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 253 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +137% | $712,293 |
| Q2 2000 | +104% | $611,969 |
| Q2 2005 | +74.4% | $523,163 |
| Q2 2010 | +60.3% | $480,844 |
| Q2 2015 | +48.5% | $445,507 |
| Q2 2020 | +47.0% | $440,988 |
| Q2 2021 | +35.9% | $407,708 |
| Q2 2023 | +21.2% | $363,638 |
| Q2 2025 | +7.9% | $323,755 |
How ZIP3 253 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 253 ranks 53rd of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 19th of 22 in West Virginia. Its one-year change is +4.9 pts versus the nation and −0.1 pts versus West Virginia. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 53rd of 882 | 19th of 22 |
| 3 years | 161st of 882 | 19th of 22 |
| 5 years | 703rd of 882 | 21st of 22 |
| 10 years | 860th of 882 | 22nd of 22 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 874th of 879 | 20th of 20 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 253
ZIP3 253's index peaked in Q2 2009, fell 3.9% to its low in Q2 2011, and regained its peak in Q2 2012, about 3 years after the top. Today it sits +56.2% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 253 | Q2 2009 | Q2 2011 | -3.9% | Q2 2012 (3 yrs) | +56.2% |
| WV | Q1 2008 | Q2 2011 | -7.3% | Q2 2015 (7.2 yrs) | +71.7% |
| Metro | Q1 2009 | Q2 2010 | -3.5% | Q3 2010 (1.5 yrs) | +61.1% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 253's index has changed +10.6% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 253 after inflation | WV after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | +3.9% | +4.0% | +6.4% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +10.4% | +10.9% | +13.4% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +9.6% | +15.7% | +13.0% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +5.8% | +21.2% | +11.4% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +10.6% | +32.5% | +15.3% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 253
Regional estimate
$441,544
- Estimated gain
- $141,544
- Index change
- +47.18%
- Start index
- 166.40
- End index
- 244.91
ZIP3 253 (Charleston, WV area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 251 · St. Albans, WV area | WV | +10.5% | +40.1% | +155% |
| 250 · Dunbar, WV area | WV | +10.5% | +40.1% | +155% |
| 252 · Ripley, WV area | WV | +8.7% | +46.6% | +210% |
| 255 · Hurricane, WV area | WV | +8.4% | +44.9% | +183% |
| 257 · Huntington, WV area | WV | +8.4% | +44.9% | +183% |
| 258 · Beckley, WV area | WV | +10.0% | +52.8% | Not available |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 244.91 |
| Q1 2026 | 240.56 |
| Q4 2025 | 237.23 |
| Q3 2025 | 232.43 |
| Q2 2025 | 226.94 |
| Q1 2025 | 229.79 |
| Q4 2024 | 226.13 |
| Q3 2024 | 222.89 |
| Q2 2024 | 221.27 |
| Q1 2024 | 210.55 |
| Q4 2023 | 207.27 |
| Q3 2023 | 211.82 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 253?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 253, the regional index changed +7.9% over the year to Q2 2026, +35.9% over five years, +47.2% over ten years, and +145% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 253 appreciating faster than West Virginia and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +7.9% compares with +8.0% for West Virginia and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of +4.9 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is −5.4 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 253?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 253. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 25301 to 25320 (13 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.