Fall River is a mid-sized city in Bristol County on the border between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. More than 40% of the city’s nearly 94,000 residents claim Portuguese ancestry, a heritage kept alive with a vibrant Portuguese restaurant and retail scene. Historically, Fall River was a whaling town; many of the area’s original Azorean immigrants moved here to work on whaling ships. But by the late 19th century, textile production had replaced whaling as Fall River’s leading industry. In 1880, more than 100 mills were spinning about half of all the print cloth produced in the world, earning Fall River the nickname “Spindle City.” Eventually, even the mills shuttered. “Since the mills closed, it’s become a depressed, low-income area,” says Realtor Desiree Oliveria of Lamacchia Realty, who grew up here. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Fall River’s poverty rate is nearly 20%. In August 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Economic Research reported an unemployment rate of more than 6%. But Oliveria says hope is on the horizon. Many of the old mill buildings have been renovated into industrial-chic residences or retail and events spaces. As Spindle City rebrands itself into a center for handcrafted American-made goods, some are still textile workshops for small brands such as Merida and Matouk & Co. Plus, the addition of a commuter rail line with service to Boston is expected to boost the local economy when it opens in 2025. “Everybody’s banking on this train,” says Oliveria.
Fall River's colonial charm shines through from an elevated vantage point.
Fall River is a historic city with rich Portuguese roots and endless activities to enjoy.
Enjoy the elegance of contemporary homes with serene waterfront views in Fall River, MA.
Take in the grandeur of St. Ann Shrine’s architecture in Fall River, MA.
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Homes below the Massachusetts median
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors reports that the median price for single-family homes here between January and August 2024 was $430,000. That’s almost $100,000 under the median for Bristol County during the same period. The median price for condos here was lower, as well, coming in at $267,500 compared to $352,000. Oliveria observes that the price point draws buyers away from more expensive parts of Massachusetts, like Boston. “Home prices in Boston are crazy compared to ours,” she says. Some of the oldest homes in the city are large Second Empires built between the early and mid-1800s in the Highlands and Lower Highlands historic districts. But the most infamous house in the city is in the nearby Corky Row Historic District. Now a bed-and-breakfast, 230 Second Street was once home to the Borden family. In 1892, it was the site of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, which prompted the trial and acquittal of their daughter, Lizzie Borden. Factory of Terror, a year-round haunted house across the street, capitalizes on the neighborhood’s spooky history.
The Highland neighborhood in Fall River features a mix of single and multi story homes.
Find charming colonial homes and more in the scenic Highland neighborhood of Fall River.
Find stunning large homes scattered across the city of Fall River, MA.
Historic homes bring charm and elegance to the Highland neighborhood in Fall River, MA.
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Three Olmsted-designed parks, Copicut Woods and Fall River Heritage State Park
Fall River has more than 170 acres of parkland, including 24 public playgrounds and greenspaces, and 15 miles of grassy median strips sprinkled throughout the city. Ruggles, North and Kennedy parks are among the most notable of the city parks system. All three were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, co-designer of New York City’s Central Park and widely known as the father of landscape architecture in America. Kennedy Park regularly hosts the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England, a multi-day annual festival that honors the Azores’ religious and cultural traditions. It’s widely regarded as the largest celebration of its kind in the country, drawing crowds of more than 100,000 every year. Copicut Woods, part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, covers more than 500 acres of Fall River’s northeastern side. There are more than 5 miles of trails through the preserved forestland. Oliveria says the preserve allows locals to get much-needed fresh air outside the city’s urban center. “We’re so squished here. We’re not Montana,” she says. Hunting is permitted in Copicut west of Yellow Hill Road, so parkgoers are advised to wear blaze orange during hunting season. At the Fall River Heritage State Park, which overlooks the Taunton River, visitors can walk along the waterfront and see World War II battleships in the cove.
A pack of wagging tails brightens the day as a family strolls Kennedy Park in Fall River.
Fall River Heritage State Park celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day, meet the Pocassets.
The basketball court in Kennedy Park is a favorite spot for kids in Fall River, MA.
From baseball fields to peaceful walks, Ruggles Park in Fall River offers it all.
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Durfee High School offers dual enrollment at Bristol Community College
The Fall River Public Schools system earns a B-minus from Niche. The district serves more than 10,000 students across 17 schools, with an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. Durfee High School, which gets a B from Niche, offers a dual enrollment program in partnership with Bristol Community College. The community college offers more than 130 career and transfer programs of study; its Fall River campus is on the north side of the city. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, or UMass Dartmouth, is about 11 miles southeast. The four-year public university offers 120 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs.
A.S. Letourneau Elementary School nurtures young minds in Fall River, Massachusetts.
Morton Middle School, with 694 students, is a cornerstone of Western Fall River education.
Bright futures start at Durfee High School, the pride of Fall River’s education system.
An aerial view highlights Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River.
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Commuter rail service to Boston expected in 2025
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, or SRTA, provides bus service throughout Fall River. St. Anne’s Hospital, a major local employer, is a stop on several routes within the city. Interstate 195 runs northwest-southeast through the south side of town. The drive to Providence, Rhode Island, about 18 miles northwest, takes about 20 minutes on the interstate. New Bedford, about 15 miles southeast, is also about a 20-minute drive on I-195. Both bigger cities are home to major regional employers. Boston is also considered an employment hub; the state capital is about an hour's drive north of Fall River. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast rail project, which has been under construction since 2019, will offer commuter train service to Boston. Test trains began running in June 2024; full-service is expected to be available to the public by spring 2025. There are also two airports within 30 miles of Fall River. New Bedford Regional Airport is about 15 miles southeast, and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is about 25 miles west.
Residents of Fall River use SRTA buses for convenient travel to nearby city destinations.
Saint Anne's Hospital is a trusted healthcare provider for the Fall River community.
With I-195, locals in Fall River can connect to major cities like Boston and Providence.
Travel is easy with T.F. Green Airport, located near Fall River in Providence, RI.
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Portugalia Marketplace brings Lisbon to Fall River
Portugalia Marketplace is a textile mill-turned-Portuguese specialty food store in central Fall River, just north of I-195. The unique market, in its second generation of family ownership, features more than 1,300 Portuguese wines and spirits, a bakery and a prepared foods counter, as well as a variety of home goods. SouthCoast Marketplace, Fall River Shopping Center and Southway Plaza, all about 2½ miles south, are home to chain retailers.
Shop fresh and delicious meats at Portugalia Marketplace in the heart of Fall River.
South Coast Marketplace is Fall River's go to spot for shopping and dining in one place.
Treat yourself to a cozy Portuguese coffee experience at Ponto de Encontro in Fall River.
Discover convenient shopping at Fall River Shopping Center in Fall River, MA.
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2023 stats show declining crime rates
According to an FBI report in 2019, Fall River experienced 773 violent and 1,074 property crimes. Those numbers are more than 18% higher and more than 98% lower, respectively than the violent and property crimes reported in nearby New Bedford that same year. Fall River Police Department's annual report data says there were 791 violent crimes in 2023, an 11.12% decrease from 2022. The report also shows that at 1,309, the number of property crimes in the city declined by nearly 30% between 2022 and 2023. The Fall River Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. It’s one of only six agencies in Massachusetts with the distinction. Fall River receives a C-minus crime and safety rating from Niche.
On average, homes in Fall River, MA sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Fall River, MA over the last 12 months is $410,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$424,900
Median Sale Price
$410,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$440,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$415,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$285,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
374
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$5
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$276
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
61
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Fall River, MA
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Freetown Elementary School
B+
Niche
#2 South Elementary School
B-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Alice A. Macomber Primary School
B-
Niche
#4 George R Austin Intermediate School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 James Tansey Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#6 Spencer Borden Elementary School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#7 North End Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#8 Westport Elementary School
C+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#9 Chace Street School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Freetown-Lakeville Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Somerset Middle School
C+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 John J. Doran Community School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 Matthew J. Kuss Middle School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#5 Talbot Innovation School
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Henry Lord Community School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#7 Morton Middle School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#8 Resiliency Preparatory Academy
1
GreatSchools
#9 Stone K-12 Day School
1
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Apponequet Regional High School
B+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#2 Dartmouth High School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
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.
