Chestnut Street
Salem libraries and parks
Despite the Chestnut Street community being less than a square mile in size, there is still plenty to do without having to head downtown. The Salem Public Library offers three levels of books for check-out and plenty of indoor space for reading. The library is also a piece of Salem history, as it is the former house of Captain John Bertram, a local businessman and philanthropist who donated the building to the city when he passed away in 1882. Residents also have access to the Salem Athenaeum, one of the oldest private libraries in the country. “It has a wonderful public reading garden out back where you can relax and read in the shade,” says Brian Donnelly, a Salem resident for over 20 years. Almost everything is available to the public, but membership is required to check out books and bring them home.Also along Essex Street is the Ropes Mansion, which some may know as Allison’s house from the movie Hocus Pocus. Beyond the stately mansion, visitors will find a garden and a pond with fish, as well as benches and space to enjoy the flowers. Just a little farther down the street is the Witch House at Salem, a museum where visitors can learn more about 17th century life and the Salem Witch Trials through historic artifacts and recreations of the rooms. Residents can also spend time outside at the nearby Splaine Park or the Salem Common.
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Historic colonials from the 1700s and 1800s
The homes are what give the Chestnut Street neighborhood and McIntire District their distinct feel from the rest of Salem. In this neighborhood, the financiers, captains and most successful merchants in the 1700s and 1800s built their grand homes, many of which still stand to this day. These homes commonly share inspiration from colonial designs, with a mix of Georgian and Federal accents adorning the windows and entryways. Some older homes even have plaques from the Historic Salem Inc., which show the home’s original owner and construction date.Many homes have driveways and backyards with garden spaces. Some properties have been renovated or converted to house multiple units, creating more opportunities for homebuyers to move in. “It’s such a hot buying and selling market because the houses are so historic and grand,” Donnelly says. Multi-unit homes range between $400,000 and $800,000, and historic colonials can run from $600,000 up to $1.7 million, with many of them retaining original moldings and details.
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Essex Street and Salem sidewalks
Roads like Chestnut Street and Essex Street are the popular thoroughfares in the community, where commuters can be seen zipping through on their way to downtown Salem or Peabody. “There has been lots of effort to slow drivers on the roads, with the city putting up flowerpots and speed bumps,” Donnelly says. The streets are also often full of pedestrians and tourists, gazing up at the old homes and taking pictures of local landmarks. “Residents can park their cars here and not need to use it for a week,” Selbst says. Residents also have the Salem commuter rail station half a mile away for trips into Boston and U.S. Route One, 6 miles to the west. Boston Logan International Airport is 16 miles to the south, and Salem Hospital is less than a mile away.Year round events in downtown Salem
Due to Salem’s history and popularity during the fall, there are always plenty of activities and events. “The area is just flooded with tourists in October,” Donnelly says, with Salem having over 1.5 million visitors in October 2024. The entire city comes together for the Haunted Happenings Parade and businesses and community organizations present floats and sell custom treats. Residents have plenty of other events throughout the year, such as the Fête en Blanc Salem in July inspired by a similar festival in Paris. During the event, hundreds of residents dressed all in white bring elegant picnic supplies to enjoy a feast in a different location each year. During the Christmas season, Santa descends from the historic Hawthorne Hotel, and there is a community-wide Christmas tree lighting.
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Music programs in Salem public schools
Students in Downtown Salem can start their education at the Carlton Innovation School, which receives a B-minus rating on Niche, and continue on to Collins Middle School, which earns a C rating. The final stop for many students is the B-minus-rated Salem High School, which Selbst says has become known for its music and band programs. The high school previously won the New England Championship in November of 2024. The Saltonstall School is a public, kindergarten through eighth-grade option with a C-plus rating.
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Local ciders, pizzas and bismarks
Residents can start their mornings about a mile north at Coffee Time Bakery, a local spot known for their bismarks and variety of hot and cold drinks. “They make everything from scratch,” Andrews says. “The place is a legend in Salem.” Less than a mile to the south is the Far From the Tree cidery, where residents can sit at the bar and enjoy a flight of locally crafted drinks with flavors ranging from a classic farmstead cider to a cinnamon candy apple cider. Garcon SuperSlice Pizza Pie Parlor is a local favorite in the downtown area that offers classic pies and salads. “They do a cheap slice done awesome,” Donnelly says. Area grocery options include Steve’s Quality Market and larger chains like Stop & Shop, which is closer to Peabody.
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Written By
Braxton Puentes
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews
Keller Williams Realty Evolution
(978) 515-6286
35 Total Sales
2 in Chestnut Street
$485K - $599K Price Range
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Carol St. Pierre
Carol St. Pierre
Tache Real Estate, Inc.
(781) 776-5893
48 Total Sales
2 in Chestnut Street
$370K - $1M Price Range
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Vivien Marcus
Vivien Marcus
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Success
(351) 222-3144
50 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Street
$410,000 Price
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Ryan Guilmartin
Ryan Guilmartin
Responds QuicklyMerryFox Realty
(339) 970-3237
50 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Street
$436,000 Price
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Shari McStay
Shari McStay
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Evolution
(351) 277-0990
152 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Street
$472,000 Price
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Judith Zissulis
Judith Zissulis
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty Evolution
(351) 666-4859
32 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Street
$1,585,000 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
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Parks in this Area
Salem Common
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
Splaine Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Transit
Chestnut Street Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chestnut Street, Salem sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 69 days. The median sale price for homes in Chestnut Street, Salem over the last 12 months is $268,000, down 40% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$268,000
Median Sale Price
$268,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$442,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$210,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$210,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-40%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$158
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
281
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1880
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,407
Significantly above the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,585
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,255
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
847
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,070
Median Age
40
Population under 18
19.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$77,128
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$107,240
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.9%
College Graduates
79%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
39.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
26''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
92
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
39
/ 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.
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North Salem
Multi-unit housing and green spaces just across the water from downtown Salem
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