$302,329Average Value$248Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Chicopee’s riverside enclave
On a Wednesday morning in Willimansett, diners are wide awake at Jennifer’s Kitchen. They chat with each other from several booths away, and waitresses already know what customers will order by the time they sit down. This kind of neighborly familiarity is emblematic of this Chicopee, Massachusetts, community. About 3 miles long, Willimansett includes more than 10,000 residents, but geography and history have made it a close-knit community. By the late 1800s, it became an enclave for French Canadian immigrants. Many worked in paper mills in the city of Holyoke, directly across the Connecticut River from Willimansett, rather than in Chicopee or nearby Springfield. The neighborhood is no longer defined by a single ethnicity or nationality, but it remains tucked away on Chicopee’s west end, between the Connecticut River and Interstate 391. Chicopee was built by factory work and immigrant communities, and Willimansett retains much of that identity.
Dining, manufacturing on Chicopee and Meadow streets
Restaurants and stores including Jennifer’s Kitchen line the neighborhood’s two north-south thoroughfares: Chicopee Street and Meadow Street. Kielbasa and babkas are available for pick-up from Bernat’s, a deli that started in Poland in 1914 before moving to Chicopee. The store hires a police detail to handle the annual mass of people who come on Good Friday to buy supplies for their Easter dinners. Most Chicopee residents take care of their shopping 3 miles east of Willimansett along Memorial Drive. Big Y supermarket, Walmart, The Home Depot and other retail chains have stores in the shopping centers along the road.
Chicopee has been an industrial center since the 1800s, when textile mills were built along the Chicopee River. One of the city’s largest remaining manufacturers operates on Meadow Street: Callaway Golf. The company makes more than 200,000 golf balls every day in the neighborhood.
Walks and bike rides alongside the Connecticut River
Residents are rarely more than a mile from taking in views of the river from the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway. The trail follows the river for about 2 miles along the west side of Willimansett. Even in the middle of a chilly fall day, locals are walking along the path. Hikers and cyclists may encounter Chicopee Mayor John Vieau along the way. “I personally use it, and ride my bike on it almost every day,” Vieau says. The southern end of the trail ends at Medina Street Boat Ramp, an access point for the river. Sarah Jane Sherman Park, home to a skate park and three baseball diamonds, is the site of Chicopee’s annual National Night Out in August. Hundreds come for music, games and face-to-face time with local police officers and firefighters, who hand out backpacks and school supplies. One of the city’s biggest events, National Night Out has been held in Chicopee since 1994, garnering awards from the National Night Out organization. A few blocks away, Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee expanded its Willimansett facility in 2024 when it opened a teen center with a video game den, study areas and a digital media lab.
The bike path along the river in Willmanset is picture perfect.
Residence enjoy tossing around the football at Sarah Jane Sherman Park in Willmansett.
Rivers Park has playgrounds, courts and fields to play on in Willmansett.
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Homes ranging from Victorian to midcentury
Chicopee Street curves through the center of Willimansett, and most homes sit along smaller cross streets that run east and west of it. The oldest homes are on the north end, where multifamily homes with up to six bedrooms date to the late 1800s. Heading south, architecture transitions to American Foursquare and minimal traditional houses and finally ranches and split-levels. Regardless of style, single-family homes tend to be bunched together on small lots. Prices start around $200,000 for houses under 1,000 square feet, climbing to about $400,000 for 2,000-square-foot homes. Townhouses and condos are in the middle of the neighborhood, priced between the low $100,000s and low $200,000s. A floodwall and earthen dike have reduced the risk of flooding by the Connecticut River, according to FEMA.
Rows of Ranch homes are found in Willmansett.
Townhouses common in the Willmansett neighborhood.
Split level homes are present in Willmansett.
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High schools battle for a sword
Children can stay in the neighborhood and attend Stefanik Elementary School, graded B-minus by Niche. The public elementary school was built in 1970 without a playground, but that changed in 2019 when the principal raised $60,000 from the community, students designed a playground and locals turned out to build it. After fifth grade, kids can go to Bellamy Middle School, scored a C-plus, and then B-rated Chicopee High School. Chicopee High has a long-running football rivalry with the city’s other high school, Chicopee Comprehensive High. The two teams play every Thanksgiving morning, and since 1964 the mayor has awarded the winning school with a trophy the schools trade back and forth: a 19th-century sword.
Chicopee High has a B rating and is well regarded for its college prep near Willmansett.
Bellamy Middle school is the option for children in the Willmansett area.
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Polish community founded St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Many of Chicopee’s churches were founded by immigrants who came in search of jobs, which is the case with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Willimansett. Families from Poland started the Catholic parish in the 1920s so they could worship in their native language, and today the priest celebrates Mass in English, Polish and Spanish.
Alongside I-391
Sidewalks are common and bike lanes are marked along major roads such as Chicopee Street and Meadow Street. Still, people typically get around by car. Interstate 391 leads from Willimansett 6 miles south to Springfield, where the highway connects to Interstate 91 and continues 30 miles farther to Hartford. Chicopee commute times average 20 minutes, 10 minutes shorter than the statewide average. Generally, the Springfield metro has lighter traffic than other cities in Massachusetts, says Peter Ruffini, president of the Springfield-based Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley. “If you were to experience Boston commute traffic, and then you came out here, you’d laugh. There is commuter traffic, especially on I-91. You just don’t see the gridlock you see in some other cities.” Interstate 391 also extends north of Willimansett to the city of Holyoke, home to the closest hospital: Holyoke Medical Center. Three miles to the east is the nation's largest Air Force reserve base: Westover. It also hosts Westover Airport, a small civilian airport. Aircraft noise isn't a major concern in Willimansett, as the facility's typical flight patterns stay clear of the neighborhood.
Willmansett has easy access to I-90 and 391.
The Willmansett bridge is a beautiful landmark in this neighborhood.
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
Cynthia Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ray Ash Park
Sarah Jane Park
Rivers Park
Lucy M. Wisniowski Memorial park
Transit
Airport
Bradley International
39 min drive
Bus
State HWY 116 & Sitarz
Bus
Meadow & Thomas (2)
Bus
Chicopee & Perrault
Bus
Meadow & Chicopee
Bus
Meadow & Dorrance
Bus
Chicopee & Narragansett
Bus
Chicopee & Daley
Willimansett Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willimansett, Chicopee sell after 95 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Willimansett, Chicopee over the last 12 months is $370,000, down 47% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome Home to this Beautiful 3-bedroom 2 full bath in the desirable neighborhood of Chicopee. This home has been improved from top to bottom & awaits its new future homeowners to make it home. Nothing to do but pack your bags and move right in. All updates have been done for you for a peace of mind. The heart of the home has been tastefully designed with plenty of cabinets & counter space. The
Lovingly maintained by the original owner for 75 years, this immaculate 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers timeless charm and thoughtful updates throughout. The inviting living room features a cozy fireplace, wood floors and a large bay window that floods the space with natural light. The first-floor master bedroom adds convenience and flexibility, while the spacious kitchen is open to the dining
Melissa WhitelockERA M Connie Laplante Real Estate
This spacious 2-bedroom home offers comfort, character, and flexible living in a well-maintained condition, ready for you to make it your own. Step inside to find a warm and welcoming layout featuring a functional dine-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, ample cabinetry, and classic finishes. Enjoy the cozy sunroom with exterior access to a generous, fenced-in double lot. Upstairs, you'll
***Currently working off a waitlist. All applications must meet income guidelines to be places on all waitlists.***Chicopee Village Town homes in Chicopee MA is conveniently located adjacent to the bustling city of Springfield Massachusetts yet remains within easy access of several picturesque New England towns. Chicopee Village Town homes in Chicopee MA offers an array of one, two and
READY NOW ! Clean & Spacious 2 BEDROOM apartment in an very well maintained 3-family home. Great floor plan w/ Huge kitchen (stove & refrigerator included), a large walk-in pantry plus broom closet for great storage. From the kitchen, you will enter either the living room or dining room. Both rooms are large w/ lots of natural lighting, lovely warm natural woodwork & french doors Both bedrooms
Property Id: 1929747Property located on Chicopee street, which is busy street. School bus and public bus stop is right across street. Building is secured by cameras. All necessary stores like BJs, restaurants etc, are couple of miles away. Very soon, owner will provide paid laundry services inside apartment complex.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cynthia Gonzalez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,247
Median Age
38
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,420
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,493
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
21.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.5%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
48/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 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.
