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Winchester

Winchester

Located in Litchfield County

$371,143 Average Value
$215 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Picturesque country living by the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains

First settled in 1732, the rural town of Winchester retains its historic look and feel. This forested expanse at the base of the Berkshire Mountains is speckled with Colonial Revivals and Craftsman-inspired homes that range from cozy cabins to extravagant lake houses. Some homeowners come for summer vacations, while others stay to raise their children and grandchildren. “There’s a large cross-section of people who come here, so each smaller community is like a little world unto itself,” says Tom McGowan, a realtor and historic home specialist at Elyse Harney Real Estate.

Majestic countryside residences in Winchester

The vast majority of people who live in Winchester own their homes, and those homes have continued to appreciate in value since 2019. Currently, most houses fall into the $225,000 to $750,000 range. However, a lakefront property with a private dock can sell for $900,000 or more. Architectural styles range from charming Cape Cods, cottages and bungalows to Colonial Revival and ranch-styles with second-story overhangs. Though home ages tend to skew half a century or older, most are outfitted with granite countertops and updated appliances. They are often spread acres apart along country roads and obscured by thick tree lines.

A Colonial Revival home with detached garages and solar panels in Winchester.
A Colonial Revival home with detached garages and solar panels in Winchester.
A Colonial Revival home in Winchester.
A Colonial Revival home in Winchester.
A ranch-inspired, large bungalow with a beautiful porch in Winchester.
A ranch-inspired, large bungalow with a beautiful porch in Winchester.
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Lakes, state parks and mountain views in Winchester

The valley is home to several state parks, such as Platt Hill Scenic Reserve. The main trail loop branches off into many uncharted paths, which makes the park intriguing for hikers or foragers looking for adventure on a road less traveled by. Winchester is also filled with creeks, ponds and lakes, the largest being the three-mile-long Highland Lake. “There are always a bunch of people canoeing, fishing, all sorts of stuff. And the topography here is fabulous: almost anywhere you go in Winchester, you can see the mountains close by,” McGowan says.

Highland Lake is a freshwater lake located in Winchester known for its scenic beauty.
Highland Lake is a freshwater lake located in Winchester known for its scenic beauty.
Platt Hill State Park is a 159-acre public recreation space in Winchester.
Platt Hill State Park is a 159-acre public recreation space in Winchester.
Norbrook Farm Brewery is a great place to spend a day enjoying trails, frisbee golf and beer.
Norbrook Farm Brewery is a great place to spend a day enjoying trails, frisbee golf and beer.
Resha Beach is a local beach on the shores of Highland lake.
Resha Beach is a local beach on the shores of Highland lake.
Hole one on Norbrook's frisbee golf course.
Hole one on Norbrook's frisbee golf course.
Highland Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Highland Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
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A unique and artistic shopping experience in Winsted

Winchester is deeply intertwined with its sister city of Winsted, which serves as a hub of art and commerce. It contains tons of restaurants, antique shops and artist organizations like the American Mural Project, all of which collectively employ about half the town’s population. Farmers Markets and holiday parades are often held on Main Street, bringing together the entire surrounding community. However, Winchester itself is not without its own unique local businesses. Norbrook Farm Brewery offers a wide selection of beers in an outdoor, family-style environment complete with fire pits and a disc golf course. The Colbrook Store is a combination deli and general store where folks drop in for an easygoing lunch.

Explore Winchester's sister city, Winsted.
Explore Winchester's sister city, Winsted.

Top-rated public schools in Winchester

Children in Winchester start their education at Colbrook Consolidated School for kindergarten through sixth grade, then go to Northwestern Regional Middle School for seventh and eighth, and then Northwestern Regional High School for ninth through twelfth. All three schools are ranked among the top 10 public schools in Litchfield County, with Colbrook Consolidated and Northwestern Regional High taking the number one and two spots, respectively. One factor is class size, where the student-to-teacher ratio is usually 10:1 or less. Another is overall test scoring. Across the board, the pipeline fosters proficiencies in reading and math that far exceed national averages.

Colbrook Consolidated School focuses on providing a comprehensive educational experience.
Colbrook Consolidated School focuses on providing a comprehensive educational experience.
Batcheller Elementary School serves area Winchester residents.
Batcheller Elementary School serves area Winchester residents.
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Navigating into central Connecticut

Public transportation is not readily available in Winchester, so it is a heavily car-dependent area. Though the town may feel remote, it’s a 15-minute drive north to the small town of Colbrook and 10 minutes east to Winsted. Route 8 and Route 44 are quickly accessible for those commuting to Hartford or elsewhere in central Connecticut.

Written By
Sian Syring
Brandon Schulman
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Schulman
Daniel Willingham
Video By
Daniel Willingham

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mike Albert, an experienced agent 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

Winchester Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$325,000
Median Sale Price
$365,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$365,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-12%
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
54%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$215

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
22
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1976
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,953
On par with the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
22,215

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Winchester Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
10,815
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,486
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,934

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
26%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11%
% Population in Labor Force
64.6%
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.
Winchester