Willard
Swimming and kayaking at Willard Beach
The 4-acre Willard Beach is treasured by locals as a great spot to swim, walk, sunbathe, kayak, watch the sunset or relax as ferry boats and lobstermen go by. “I think it’s pretty important for a lot of the people that live here to be able to walk to the beach or walk their dogs on the beach,” Bisson says, adding that although it’s small and isn’t used for surfing, it’s the nicest beach so close to Portland. “I throw my paddleboard in right there at Willard Beach and I can paddle around the Casco Bay Islands. And people have their sailboats moored in the bay right at Willard.” The beach gets especially crowded during the summer, and multiple marinas are within walking distance or a short drive from Willard. On its south side, stairs lead to Fisherman’s Point Park and its view of the Portland Head Lighthouse. Willard also has its own little lighthouse, the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, which was built in 1897 and is open year-round, though inaccessible for most disabled people with mobility aids. Just a short drive away is Bug Light Park, home of another small, Greek-style lighthouse built in 1875 with sweeping views of downtown Portland. Its boat ramp and green space make it ideal for boating, saltwater fishing, kite flying and picnics.Competition for Willard’s homes
Willard’s homes often date back to 1950 or earlier and are often bungalows, Cape Cods and American Foursquares that lack the style’s almost trademark dormer in the center of the roof. According to Bisson, the Foursquares can be particularly old, nearing around 100 years of age. “They have a lot of character and people tend to like a lot of the designs,” Bisson says. Homes in Willard start at $400,000 for a small two-bedroom home, but they can climb to around $1 million — especially closer to the water. The median cost of a single-family home in the neighborhood falls at $755,500. Although Bisson says that the housing market in much of Maine has started to slow down, Willard’s traditionally popular market means that it hasn’t slowed — and inventory remains low. “The majority of homes are selling with multiple offers and still over asking,” Bisson says.
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Scratch Baking Co’s bagels and sweets
Willard’s walkability is a major plus for many locals. “You’re walking to Willard Beach, you’re walking to Willard Square, which gets you Scratch Bakery, it gets you ice cream, you can walk to banks and the hardware store,” Bisson says. “In Maine, there’s not too many neighborhoods like that, so think that’s right up there as one of the biggest draws.” Inside a cute little New England home is Scratch Baking Co., a neighborhood bakery beloved by locals. There, they pick up bread and bagels, cookies and seasonal sweets like Guinness brownies around St. Patrick’s Day. Nearby, the seasonal Willard Scoops’ ice cream and hot fudge are both made in-house. Residents head to local restaurants like Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill for brisket and cornbread and drive a few blocks to the nearby Ferry Village to catch a show at one of its two performing arts theaters as part of a fun night out. Ferry Village Market also offers a few nearby essentials, but otherwise residents make a short drive of just over a mile to Hannaford Supermarket or Shaw’s when they need groceries.
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Niche gives South Portland schools a B-minus
Local children can attend Dora L. Small Elementary School, which has an A-minus and is within walking distance of many homes, before moving to South Portland Middle School. Newly constructed and opened in the fall of 2023 to combine the district’s previous two middle schools, it’s too new to have an official Niche rating. From there, they attend South Portland High School, which has a B-minus on Niche and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. Southern Maine Community College is just outside the neighborhood.
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Easy commutes despite no major highways
Preble Street winds through the heart of Willard while Cottage Road and Broadway serve as two bigger roads along its edges. There are no major highways in Willard, but residents can cross the Casco Bay Bridge to reach Downtown Portland in about 10 minutes. Maine Medical Center is 3.5 miles away and the Portland International Jetport is just under 7 miles away.
Written By
Christina Norwood
Photography Contributed By
Gabriel Ovelar
Video By
Chris Freeman
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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David Banks
David Banks
RE/MAX By The Bay
(207) 503-3042
1,104 Total Sales
3 in Willard
$627K - $1M Price Range
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Edmund Gardner III
Edmund Gardner III
Gardner Real Estate Group
(207) 387-7218
207 Total Sales
2 in Willard
$410K - $690K Price Range
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Linda Dupuis
LD
Linda Dupuis
Maine Source Realty
(207) 481-4680
79 Total Sales
1 in Willard
$440,000 Price
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Jacqueline Nedwell
Jacqueline Nedwell
Responds QuicklyTown & Shore Real Estate
(207) 618-9460
89 Total Sales
1 in Willard
$475,000 Price
-
Monica Dambach
Monica Dambach
Waypoint Brokers Collective
(207) 518-7498
86 Total Sales
1 in Willard
$1,050,000 Price
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Nicholas Dambrie
Nicholas Dambrie
Keller Williams Realty
(207) 387-9614
170 Total Sales
2 in Willard
$370K - $680K Price Range
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
- 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
Mill Creek Park
Bug Light Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Millcreek Park
South Portland Farmers' Market
School Street Playground
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
DiPietro Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Willard | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Willard Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willard, South Portland sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Willard, South Portland over the last 12 months is $361,499, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$660,000
Median Sale Price
$361,499
Median Single Family Sale Price
$660,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$286,199
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$2,895,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$258
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
968
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1928
Months of Supply
7.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,546
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,420
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,068
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
723
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$685,000
- 3 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,356 Sq Ft
- 533 Preble St
- New 4 days ago
Just a 5-minute stroll to Willard Beach, this thoughtfully updated 2-3 bedroom home presents the perfect blend of coastal living and everyday comfort. Set in a nice neighborhood close to Willard Square, this home has been carefully maintained and offers flexible living spaces to suit a variety of lifestyles.The sunny front room is ideal as a breakfast nook, home office, den, or even a
Tara Baker Kennebunk Beach Realty
-
$1,150,000
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,394 Sq Ft
- 28 Stone Dr
- New 7 days ago
Welcome to 28 Stone Drive. In Cape Elizabeth and on the South Portland line, tucked at the end of a quiet street, this home offers that rare blend of privacy, charm, and close to everything you love. Less than a mile to the beach and moments from neighborhood staples like The Cookie Jar, Rosemont Market, Scratch Bakery, Terracotta Pasta, David's 388, and A&C Soda Shop —you're never far from good
Randy Ferrell Portside Real Estate Group
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$634,900
- 3 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 1,960 Sq Ft
- 5 Virginia Ave
- New 28 days ago
2005 built, fully dormered, 3 bed/3bath cape style home walking distance to Willard Beach and square, Ferry Village, mill creek shops, local parks and the greenbelt pathway. Features include a 3- or 4-bedroom layout, cherry kitchen, primary suite with full bath and walk-in closet, hardwood flooring on the 1st floor, lots of natural light, finished basement perfect for 4th bedroom/gym/office/guest
Jason Bisson Cottage & Co Real Estate
Homes for Rent
-
$2,145 - $2,934 per month
- Summit Terrace
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 900+ Sq Ft
- 111 Summit Terrace
- South Portland, ME
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,755
Median Age
45
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$88,235
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$124,184
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
53.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
24.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
77
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
23
/ 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
Meetinghouse Hill
South Portland shops, homes and parks 3 miles south of downtown Portland
Ferry Village
Bay views, local businesses and theater in South Portland
Breakwater
A tranquil New England community along the coast in South Portland
Loveitts Field
Serene beachfront neighborhood just south of downtown Portland
West End
Historic homes, open air and restaurants neighbor downtown Portland
Knightville
Popular shopping district in South Portland with scenic parks and community events
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