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College Hill

College Hill

$1,221,021 Average Value
$471 Average Price per Sq Ft
12 Homes For Sale

College Hill's historic streets above Downtown Providence

College Hill sits on a rise above Downtown Providence, where the city's first colonial settlement took root in the 1600s. Gas lamps line the sidewalks along streets filled with preserved 18th and 19th-century homes, including Benefit Street’s, "Mile of History." Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design bring steady creative energy to the area, which extends into institutions like the RISD Museum and the Providence Athenaeum, an independent library operating for nearly 200 years. Green spaces offer wide views of the downtown skyline, and Prospect Terrace Park is a popular spot for watching the sunset over the city. College Hill lies in Providence's highly sought after east side, and price tags reflect the area’s spacious historic homes and luxury builds.

College Hill is a historic Providence community.
College Hill is a historic Providence community.
Soaring above College Hill, you can spot the iconic dome of The First Church of Christ.
Soaring above College Hill, you can spot the iconic dome of The First Church of Christ.
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Preserved historical homes and stately architecture

College Hill's homes date primarily to the late 1800s, with grand Victorians, Italianate row houses and Greek Revivals carefully maintained across generations. “Preservation is key here,” says Alessandra Alvarez, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Coastal. “1950s is new construction to us, especially in College Hill, where people are deeply invested in the character and stories of their homes, and keeping their history.” That investment shows in restored crown moldings, refinished wide-plank floors and kitchens updated without sacrificing the original architecture. Condominiums carved from the same Victorian and Italianate buildings line streets like Benefit Street, with units featuring high ceilings, brick fireplaces and period details. Lawns are shaded by mature trees and fenced-in backyards are common. Townhouses and condos start in the low $300,000s and reach the low $800,000s, while single family homes can fetch anywhere from the high $400,000s to around $3 million.

College Hill features stunning historic colonial homes that reflect the neighborhood's vibe.
College Hill features stunning historic colonial homes that reflect the neighborhood's vibe.
Find iconic colonial homes throughout the area, showcasing RI's rich architecture.
Find iconic colonial homes throughout the area, showcasing RI's rich architecture.
Georgian Colonials are common in the neighborhood.
Georgian Colonials are common in the neighborhood.
Find elegant federal colonial homes in College Hill, a neighborhood steeped in history.
Find elegant federal colonial homes in College Hill, a neighborhood steeped in history.
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Nearby public schools and Brown University

College Hill is served by Providence Public Schools, which uses a school choice system. Students entering kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades submit preferences and are placed through a lottery. Public options include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School and Nathan Bishop Middle School, housed in a renovated historic building that was the first school in Rhode Island to earn a high-performance green designation. What the neighborhood is more known for, however, is being home to Brown University. The Ivy League school has been around for over 250 years, and currently has a student body of roughly 12,000. Because of its prime location surrounding the campus, College Hill draws a lot of professors and other college faculty.

Many local families are served byMartin Luther King Elementary School.
Many local families are served byMartin Luther King Elementary School.
Nathan Bishop Middle School supports local students from sixth to eighth grade.
Nathan Bishop Middle School supports local students from sixth to eighth grade.
Students at Hope High School in College Hill enjoy access to a great sports field.
Students at Hope High School in College Hill enjoy access to a great sports field.
Brown University’s “Bronze Bruno” statue is a must see spot.
Brown University’s “Bronze Bruno” statue is a must see spot.
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Thayer and Main Street businesses

From Main Street in the west to Thayer Street in the east, the community has a diverse array of businesses. “The neighborhood is walkable to a ton of restaurants and stores,” says Rebecca Mayer, a Compass Realtor with more than 40 years of local real estate experience. Popular local spots include:

  • Den Den Korean Fried Chicken, which serves double-fried chicken with various sauces alongside other Korean street food favorites
  • Ceremony, a modern cafe focused on ethically sourced teas and coffees with distinctive craft drinks
  • Hemenway's Restaurant, a downtown seafood spot with a fresh raw bar and classic New England
  • Brown Bookstore, a university-focused independent shop on Thayer Street with books, apparel and tech products
For more shopping, you can take the short drive to Providence Place, the state's largest shopping mall, or swing by Whole Foods Market for groceries.

Relish Asian inspired beverages and pastries at Ceremony, a charming café in College Hill.
Relish Asian inspired beverages and pastries at Ceremony, a charming café in College Hill.
Thayer Street is home to a range of global eats beloved by students and locals.
Thayer Street is home to a range of global eats beloved by students and locals.
Den Den in College Hill serves up crispy Korean fried chicken.
Den Den in College Hill serves up crispy Korean fried chicken.
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Hilltop views, waterfront paths and Roger Williams

College Hill features several green spaces with scenic views and waterfront access. Prospect Terrace, a hilltop park, offers a panoramic vista of the downtown skyline and is a popular spot for watching sunsets. A granite statue of Roger Williams, the city's founder, stands at the center of the park. Down the hill, Roger Williams National Memorial is an approximately 4.5-acre landscaped park managed by the National Park Service, with paved walking paths winding through grassy meadows. Nearby, India Point Park covers about 18 acres along the Seekonk and Providence Rivers, with shoreline paths and broad harbor views. Brown’s Erickson Athletic Complex, a few blocks away, is home to the university’s NCAA Division I sports teams.

Enjoy Providence views from Prospect Terrace with Roger Williams overlooking the city.
Enjoy Providence views from Prospect Terrace with Roger Williams overlooking the city.
The Erickson Athletic Complex is located in the neighborhood.
The Erickson Athletic Complex is located in the neighborhood.
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Walkable streets with trains to Boston and New York

College Hill is a walkable neighborhood with pathways along the River Walk by the Providence River. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has bus stops throughout the area, connecting to the rest of the city and beyond. North and South Main streets run through the neighborhood, while Interstate 95 and Interstate 195 provide regional access. Providence Station, just north of downtown, offers rail service to Boston and New York. While Boston is around 50 miles away, the Amtrak Acela train is a rapid transit option that provides a 30-minut ride to the city.

College Hill residents enjoy easy travel to major cities with RIPTA bus connections.
College Hill residents enjoy easy travel to major cities with RIPTA bus connections.
The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge offers breathtaking views close to College Hill.
The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge offers breathtaking views close to College Hill.
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College Hill's community events and outdoor activities

With proximity to Brown University, the area has a wide array of on and off-campus events throughout the year. Notable festivities include:

  • Concerts Under the Elms, a summer outdoor concert series with live music and food trucks on the John Brown House Museum lawn
  • Providence Porchfest, an annual event where bands and solo performers play from porches and yards as listeners stroll through the neighborhood
  • Movie Night in the Park, a free event where locals gather at Brown Street Park for movie screenings in the summer months

Jillian Pillow
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Anselm Molina
Photography Contributed By
Anselm Molina
Mary Desmond
Video By
Mary Desmond

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Rhode Island Tf Green International

19 min drive

Bus

Waterman Before Hope

Bus

Thayer Before Cushing

Bus

Hope Before Alumni

Bus

Tunnel Before S Main

Bus

S Main Before Power

Bus

Tunnel & Thayer (After Thayer)

Bus

Brook Before Hope

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime College Hill US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,054
Number of Homes for Sale
12
Median Year Built
1895
Months of Supply
2.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,609
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,550
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,337
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
819
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
26
Median Rent
$2,425
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,450
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,500
Median Townhouse Rent
$3,775
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$3,050
Median Condo Rent
$2,550
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$3,050

Demographics

Total Population
12,025
Median Age
27
Population Density
24 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$89,732
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$136,439

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
84.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
48.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
52.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
44''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Very walkable

Walkability®

80 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

60 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
College Hill