William Ryan
Responds Quickly
LPT Realty - Home & Key Group
(774) 713-9434
129 Total Sales
3 in West Island
$137K - $678K Price Range
West Island
Suburban Neighborhood in Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Bristol County 02719
You might say that West Island feels a bit like Fantasy Island: over half of the 535-acre territory is devoted to state park land. Long nature walks, secluded beaches with sparkling clear waters, chances to observe a variety of birds – it’s all part of the lifestyle here. Residents even banded together in the 1980s with a Save West Island campaign, keeping development off the waterfront. This a tightknit community on Buzzards Bay, with a penchant for preservation.
All residential streets are on the west side of the island, placed on long streets with rustic names like Balsam Street, Dogwood Street and Cottonwood Street. Modest midcentury home styles really lean into the beachy vibes of West Island, giving you a sense of ease and calm. If you’re looking for a property to renovate, you can find cottages in the low $500,000s with period details intact, allowing you to customize the look. But if you want something more move-in ready, look for renovated ranches in the mid $600,000s. Not only will these have modern updates like quartz countertops and gleaming hardwood floors, but you’re also likely to see lot sizes over a quarter acre.
Residents have access to Fairhaven’s highly praised public schools. Leroy Wood Elementary enrolls over 450 students in grades K-5, and maintains a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio, helping it to earn an A-minus grade from Niche in the teachers category. Elizabeth Hastings Middle sits near a cluster of commercial amenities, making it part of a convenient loop for residents who want to drop off children and run errands. It enrolls a similar number of students as Leroy Wood Elementary, and has a variety of clubs for students to join, from the eco conscious Green Team to the tech savvy Genius Squad. Fairhaven High is a well-recognized local landmark. With Gothic brick and limestone features, including gargoyles, the school is sometimes referred to as "The Castle on the Hill.” In 2017, Architectural Digest Magazine voted it the most beautiful high school in Massachusetts.
There are plenty of outdoor amenities to busy yourself with, but locals put West Island Town Beach as a top choice. Summer brings out the swimmers and snorkelers, and year-round you’ll find people strolling the sandy stretches and fishing. “Fairhaven started out as a fishing community, and you can see that culture is still very strong today,” says Ellie Wickes, a Realtor with Sotheby’s. The beach is connected to the West Island State Reservation, which contains two miles of trails winding through 300 acres of preserved land. With a mix of coastal forests and wetlands, you’re bound to encounter birds, turtles and deer. When you want to congregate with neighbors, paddle up to the West Island Marina, where you’ll find Off the Hook Bar & Grill – the popular eatery plans to serve up tacos and smash burgers again when it reopens in May 2024. For groceries, it’s a short drive inland to Fairhaven, where Interstate 95 and Route 6 intersect. With large stores like Walmart and Stop & Shop, you’ll have access to all the groceries you need for a home cooked meal.
Calm, cozy, quiet and immersed in nature, the neighborhood of West Island is for those who seek a more secluded life.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
Video By
Barry Ridgeway
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
William Ryan
-
Sharon Simmons
Sharon Simmons
Sharon Simmons Real Estate
(508) 501-0059
30 Total Sales
3 in West Island
$43K - $335K Price Range
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The Mathew J Arruda Group
The Mathew J Arruda Group
Compass
(508) 501-5617
324 Total Sales
2 in West Island
$690K - $1.1M Price Range
-
Susan Winn
Susan Winn
Responds QuicklyDemakis Family Real Estate, Inc.
(774) 737-7917
55 Total Sales
1 in West Island
$700,000 Price
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Dawn Mercer
Dawn Mercer
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams South Watuppa
(401) 289-1390
151 Total Sales
1 in West Island
$420,000 Price
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Karin Robertson
KR
Karin Robertson
Responds QuicklyLamacchia Realty, Inc.
(774) 322-9596
44 Total Sales
1 in West Island
$715,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Fort Phoenix State Reservation
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Hiking
Little Bay Conservation Area
- Bike Trails
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
West Island State Reservation
- Bike Trails
- Boating
- Fishing
Fort Taber Park
Fort Taber Playground
Victory Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | West Island | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 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 West Island, Fairhaven sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in West Island, Fairhaven over the last 12 months is $641,000, down 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$575,000
Median Single Family Price
$662,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$616
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
9
Months of Supply
5.30
Median List Price
$668,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-11%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
349
Median Year Built
1955
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,199
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,610
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
796
Median Age
59
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$106,250
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$105,303
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.3%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37.3%
Advanced Degrees
9.2%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
33''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Sconticut Neck
Rural peninsula where houses still go for less than $1 million
Pope Beach
Quiet coastal neighborhood tucked along the shores of rocky Buzzards Bay
Fairhaven
Mix of urban and suburban lifestyles in a cozy coastal setting
Reviews
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