Tranquil country landscapes define life in Arkwright, a rural town of around 1,000 residents in northeast Chautauqua County. This agricultural community dates back to the early 1800s, when dairy farms and homesteads fueled the local economy. Arkwright's landscape has barely changed over the centuries, as rural farmland and woodlands comprise most of the community. "There are a lot of draws to Chautauqua County, but there are also many rural towns with not much around that blend into one another," says Louis Dispenza, a local Realtor with Midtown Realty, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years. Local infrastructure is little, if not obsolete, with Arkwright's Town Hall housed in a small, manufactured building next to industrial storage space. However, its seclusion is its greatest draw. Less than 10 miles from the sought-after Village of Fredonia and the City of Dunkirk, Arkwright offers a remote rural lifestyle with nearby access to local restaurants, community events and big-box stores.
Arkwright is a sprawled rural farmland community surrounded by scenic views.
Arkwright is a rural community with many windmills spread throughout.
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Nearby green spaces and events
Arkwright's rural landscape gives way to wooded hiking trails, hidden swimming holes, small campgrounds and ski resorts. On the southeast corner of town, a small parking lot and trailhead offer access to Boutwell Hill State Forest, which spans 2,944 acres for year-round recreation. Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area is another nearby wooded area with freshwater fishing. Less than 10 miles away, Fredonia's Russell Joy Park features tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, while a large ball field borders a playground. Down the road, Barker Commons serves as a community gathering place for village events such as annual Easter egg hunts, wine festivals that celebrate the flavors of the region and Miracle on Main Street, where residents ring in the holiday seasons with a tree lighting, family-friendly activities, craft vendors and visits from Santa. About 11 miles away, the City of Dunkirk features several green spaces and sandy shorelines along Lake Erie. A large grassy area divides Point Gratiot Park's two beaches, while a 1-mile paved path circles the point and passes the city's historic lighthouse. A long pier attracts anglers, boaters and crowd-goers for the summertime concert series, Fourth of July Fireworks and more. On the east side of town, Wright Beach features a playground, skatepark, splash pad and a beachside restaurant. Chautauqua Lake, the county's crown jewel, also attracts boating enthusiasts, appropriately 20 miles west.
The playgrounds of Lake Erie State Park are a popular spot for locals of Arkwright to enjoy.
Many trials throughout Boutwell Hill State Forest connect within Arkwright.
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Farmhouses, colonials- and ranch-style homes
New York State Route 83 and Country Road 91 are home to the community's most populated areas. Private residences and generational farms line rural country roads. Most properties comprise 20th-century colonial- and ranch-style homes with two or more acres. The occasional historic 19th-century farmhouse is scattered in between. Home prices can range from the $100,000s to the mid-$200,000s, while manufactured homes and fixer-uppers are priced as low as $50,000. Like the rest of the county, custom-built homes with acreage offer secluded retreats and typically garner higher sales prices than the average home. Arkwright's CAP Index score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Cottage style farm homes are commonly found in Arkwright.
Homes built on large properties can be found on the outskirts of Arkwright.
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Agriculture and Fredonia's amenities
Arkwright's local businesses primarily consist of family-owned farms. On the northeast side of town, Wild Blossom Hollow welcomes locals for a Sunday stroll through their flower fields in the spring. This small homegrown florist shop offers bouquet subscriptions and wedding floral arrangements. About 10 miles away, Fredonia's Main Street features several local businesses. Bakeries, beauty salons, bookstores and bars sit next to casual restaurants and coffee shops. Campano's Cucina is known for its upscale Italian fare, and Tuscany Market & Deli is a community staple for a quick lunch up the road. However, The White Inn is a village landmark. Established in 1868, local business owners recently restored this historic hotel and restaurant to its former glory. "Many residents go to the White Inn just for dinner," Dispenza says. Menu items range from soups, salads and sandwiches to wood-fired New York strips and pork chops. "My personal favorite is the ribeye steak," Dispenza says. Big-box stores and chain grocers are clustered about 2 miles east of Fredonia, attracting residents from Dunkirk, Fredonia, Arkwright and Sheridan. Retailers include Walmart Supercenter, Aldi and Tractor Supply Co.
Arkwright residents can do most of their shopping in nearby Downtown Fredonia on Main Street.
Driving Around Arkwright, locals can find large farm properties.
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Forestville schools and surrounding institutions
Three school districts serve the Town of Arkwright: Cassadaga Valley Central, Fredonia Central and Forestville Central School District. The latter serves most residents in town and earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Pre-kindergarteners through sixth graders may attend the B-rated Forestville Elementary, the county's fourth-best public elementary school. Seventh through twelfth graders may attend the C-plus-rated Forestville Middle/High School.
The nearby State University of New York at Fredonia offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Twenty-five miles away, the Chautauqua Institution attracts thousands of lifelong learners, famous speakers and thought leaders for nine weeks throughout the summer.
Forestville Central High School has an extensive academic program for students to excel academically and achieve their goals.
Forestville Elementary School has 236 students.
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Commutes along country roads
The Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System offers public transit around the county, with nearby service in Dunkirk, Fredonia, Silver Creek and Forestville. However, Arkwright's bus service is only available by request. Nearby thoroughfares include U.S. Route 20, New York State Route 83 and rural country roads. Dunkirk's Brooks Memorial Hospital is less than 10 miles north, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is 50 miles away via Interstate 90.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Daniel Terhune,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Arkwright
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Arkwright, NY sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Arkwright, NY over the last 12 months is $299,416, up 57% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
If you are looking for land and a great place to hunt, Here it is! Nature at its finest with 53.1 acres of woods with some mature timber on these two parcels of land located on Rt 83. There is a small creek on the property. It has an abundance of deer and turkey sign. Great potential use for hunting, recreational, camping or hiking. This property is perfect for your weekend get-away to enjoy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Daniel Terhune,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
998
Median Age
51
Population under 18
19.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$79,282
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,579
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.4%
College Graduates
27.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.1%
% Population in Labor Force
56.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
17/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.