The Social District is named after the Social Mill that produced cotton threads there 200 years ago, but it’s a fitting name for the neighborhood, which acts as an events hub for the city of Woonsocket. Roughly 43,000 people live in the city, but every fall more than 100,000 converge on the Social District for Autumnfest. This annual festival is just one example of the many opportunities for Social District residents to gather with fellow residents in their neighborhood.
Autumnfest began in the neighborhood in the 1970s to commemorate Columbus Day weekend, and it has become a major draw in northern Rhode Island. More than a dozen bands take the stage at World War II Memorial Park over the weekend, while carnival rides whirl and nearly 100 vendors hawk homemade goods and local food. That’s not the only time the park comes alive, as the sights and sounds of fireworks shows and live music are present every July 4. For smaller events throughout the year, the calendar is always booked at Woonsocket Harris Public Library. Events include dance classes for adults, acting classes for teens and Lego-building sessions for kids.
Residential blocks are packed with tall multifamily houses usually built in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Single-family homes are sprinkled in, standing on small yards that barely buffer front porches from the sidewalks. In general, Woonsocket is a rental-heavy city, which is why one of the most common types of homebuyers is folks who live in neighboring Massachusetts, says Amy Bedard, a Realtor with CrossRoads Real Estate Group in Woonsocket. “We have an influx of people coming in from the Boston area and picking up properties in Woonsocket.” Typically, these out-of-state buyers are investors who rent out the property from afar, though some buy multifamily homes to live in while renting out extra space, Bedard adds. Three-bedroom condos may sell in the high $100,000s, with a four-bedroom single-family house selling in the low $400,000s. A home that can fit three families is likely to fetch more than $500,000.
World War II Memorial Park once featured a manmade swimming pond nicknamed the Social Ocean. The pool shuttered years ago, but the green space is still a gathering place. That’s partially because of the large events held there, but also because of the amenities. At the center, kids dash through the waters of the splash pad and climb on the playground. The park sprawls further to the north and south, making room for a baseball field and basketball courts. On the north side of the Social District, Menard Field serves as the spot where the city’s middle school and little league softball teams play ball.
Children in the Social District have the option to attend the Woonsocket Education Department’s public schools, starting with Harris Elementary School. Less than a mile outside the neighborhood, Harris Elementary gets a Niche grade of C-minus. Older students may attend one of two campuses that are both less than a mile from the neighborhood: Villa Nova Middle School and Woonsocket High School, both graded a C by Niche. In addition, the Social District is home to Rise Prep Mayoral Academy, a college prep-focused charter school ranked the fifth-best charter elementary school in Rhode Island, according to Niche.
Houses for mill workers were constructed in the late 1800s between Social Street and Clinton Street, but the roads are now the neighborhood’s commercial center. It’s where locals go to pick up a prescription from Walgreens or grab cash from Bank of America. A couple blocks off Social Street, neighborhood residents have dined on Italian cuisine at Savini’s Pomodoro since 1980. A block away, lines often form at walkup Mexican food stand Tacos Don Nacho. Butcher Brothers is the neighborhood spot for cuts of beef, lamb, pork or other meats. Other groceries are available less than half a mile outside the neighborhood, at the Stop & Shop in the town of Bellingham, Massachusetts.
The Social District is a 15-mile drive from Providence, putting the state capital in commuting distance. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is another 8 miles beyond Providence. But perhaps the most important transportation aspect is the network of arterial roads and highways, such as Route 146, Route 122, and Social Street, that connect to Massachusetts cities, including Boston and Worcester. Both cities are less than 60 miles away, and Bedard says that’s important because many Woonsocket residents work in Massachusetts due to the higher salaries common there. “We’re very convenient to all the major highways, so it’s easy to zip into Massachusetts.”
Herson Martinez
RISE REC
(401) 414-4072
100 Total Sales
1 in Social District
$620,000 Price
Allen Gammons
BHHS Commonwealth Real Estate
(401) 208-0582
436 Total Sales
1 in Social District
$405,000 Price
JD
Jose Duce Rocher
Century 21 Limitless
(781) 633-6951
151 Total Sales
1 in Social District
$485,000 Price
Charles Marine
Heavens Realty
(401) 425-6626
42 Total Sales
2 in Social District
$190K - $296K Price Range
Jose Rojas
William Raveis R.E. & Home Services
(781) 404-3627
65 Total Sales
2 in Social District
$500K - $615K Price Range
The Realpro Group
REALPRO by The Water
(401) 240-4724
356 Total Sales
1 in Social District
$675,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Social District | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Social District, Woonsocket sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Social District, Woonsocket over the last 12 months is $350,000, up 49% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Woonsocket region with locally owned restaurants and an eclectic array of housing