$411,849Average Value$307Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
College Hill in Worcester: Residential living near Holy Cross
Just south of Downtown Worcester, College Hill is a primarily residential neighborhood with a mix of renters and long-term residents. As its name suggests, the hilltop community is home to the College of the Holy Cross, whose steeple rises above the surrounding rooftops. While students walk to class, many residents make the 2-mile commute toward the city center for work, errands or a night out. Near the Auburn border and separated from the rest of Worcester by Interstate 290 and the Middle River, College Hill feels slightly removed, even with city views peeking through the trees.
Walking paths at Middle River Park offer stunning views.
The College of the Holy Cross anchors College Hill in Worcester, MA.
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College Hill housing overview
Homes in College Hill usually line dead-end streets, tucked away from Worcester’s busy, post-industrial thoroughfares. Residential roads are framed by mature oaks and sidewalks, with cars parked along the curb and homes on modest, grassy lots. College Hill features a mix of older single-family homes and multifamily properties with rental units, and most housing options date back to the early to mid-19th century.
Single-family homes can range in price from the mid-$300,000s to the high $400,000s, with Cape Colds, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes among the popular styles. Due to its proximity to Holy Cross, about half of the neighborhood’s residents rent, while the other half own their homes. “We have 10 colleges in Worcester, so a lot of the residential population is either management, administration, faculty, professors and, of course, students,” says Lee Joseph, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty and a longtime Worcester resident. For investors, multifamily homes often range from the high $500,000s to the mid-$600,000s.
One-story homes are typical in the College Hill area.
Many College Hill homes have panoramic views of Worcester.
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College of the Holy Cross students and faculty often live in College Hill.
Education in College Hill: Worcester Public Schools and Holy Cross
Worcester Public Schools offers school choice through citywide magnet programs, voluntary in-district transfers and Massachusetts’ inter-district school choice program. Magnet and some specialty programs use lotteries, while transfers and out-of-district placements depend on seat availability and district policy.
The College of the Holy Cross is the neighborhood’s centerpiece. Founded in 1843, the Jesuit liberal arts college is considered a “Hidden Ivy,” a rigorous academic institution that provides a similar education and prestige as Ivy League schools without the household-name recognition. “A lot of people come to Worcester to be educated,” Joseph says. “And they’re starting to stay. Because of that, I’ve seen the city really expanding over the past five-plus years.”
2 miles from downtown Worcester, 50 miles from Boston
Public transportation is limited in College Hill. Interstate 290 runs along the neighborhood's north side and leads to downtown Worcester, about 2 miles north. Union Station, with a daily train traveling about 50 miles east to Boston, is in the city center. Bus stops are on Southbridge and Greenwood streets. For air travel, Worcester Regional Airport, a small domestic airport with limited flights, is about 6 miles northwest, while Boston Logan International Airport is about 50 miles east.
What parks and outdoor spaces are nearby
The Middle River runs through College Hill, and Blackstone Gateway Park rests on its banks. At this 30-acre outdoor space, you can wander wooden walking paths, with boardwalks and bridges over the water. The Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester, near the park’s entrance, educates visitors about the city’s industrial heritage and the importance of the Blackstone Canal in its development. Also in the neighborhood, Cookson Field is a less developed outdoor space with a playground, benches and short walking trails.
Locals love walking their dogs at Cookson Park.
Learn about the industrial history of the area at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester in College Hill.
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Where to shop and eat near College Hill
When it comes to shopping and dining, College Hill is primarily residential, with a few restaurant options on Southbridge Street. At Herbie’s, a laid-back spot serving pub fare, patrons sip beer and eat cheeseburgers on barstools, while next door, Palace Pizza is a go-to for hand-tossed pies and large portions of pasta. For day-to-day errands, there’s a nearby Walmart in North Quinsigamond Village and Price Chopper in South Quinsigamond Village. Here are some larger commercial areas within 5 miles:
Auburn Mall, an enclosed shopping center with stores like Macy’s, Bath & Body Works, The Children’s Place and more
Webster Square Plaza, a large open-air retail center featuring everyday conveniences like Shaw’s, Dollar Tree and Planet Fitness
Shrewsbury Street, the city’s most well-known dining corridor, lined with locally-owned restaurants, bars and cafes
Downtown Worcester, offering a broader mix of dining, nightlife, cultural venues and small shops
College Hill residents can grab slices and sandwiches from Palace Pizza.
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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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
College Hill
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
College Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in College Hill, Worcester sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in College Hill, Worcester over the last 12 months is $402,500, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Land for Sale – 6 Epworth St, Worcester, MAWooded and sloping parcel zoned for single-family residential use, offering strong potential in a convenient Worcester location. The property features approximately 120 feet of frontage on Epworth Street and 140 feet of frontage on a paper road (Book Place). Ideally situated near Route 146, the Mass Pike, and College of the Holy Cross, providing easy
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.
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.
