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Downtown Worcester

Downtown Worcester

$182,778 Average Value
$281 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

What it's like to live in Downtown Worcester

Once a manufacturing powerhouse, Downtown Worcester has evolved into a center for arts, culture and community. The area features historic performance venues, new apartment buildings and large-scale murals. Worcester Common, the neighborhood's central green space, hosts events like summer concerts and winter ice skating throughout the year. A wide range of dining options makes for a diverse dining scene, and nearby interstates and public transportation options make trips throughout Worcester, to Boston and beyond convenient.

The Grid is a colorful place to live in Downtown Worcester.
The Grid is a colorful place to live in Downtown Worcester.
Artists contribute to the beauty of Downtown Worcester.
Artists contribute to the beauty of Downtown Worcester.
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Downtown Worcester’s housing options at a glance

Condos and apartments make up almost all of Downtown Worcester’s housing. In mid- and high-rise buildings, units range from compact studios to two-bedroom layouts, and many buildings have shared amenities such as fitness centers. Prices typically range from the high $100,000s to the high $200,000s. “Downtown has gone through a resurgence in recent years. New developments and apartment buildings have been popping up,” says Erin Zamarro, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential who has lived in Worcester for most of her life.

Some residential buildings in Downtown Worcester are restored historic properties.
Some residential buildings in Downtown Worcester are restored historic properties.
New construction is popping up in Downtown Worcester.
New construction is popping up in Downtown Worcester.
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Entertainment and outdoor spaces in and around Downtown Worcester

From entertainment venues to outdoor spaces, Downtown Worcester offers lots of things to do. “World-class shows come to the Hanover Theater, and people walk to sporting events at Polar Park and the DCU Center,” Zamarro says. For fun, you can visit:

  • The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts, a restored 1914 vaudeville palace on Main Street that hosts Broadway tours, concerts and comedy
  • The DCU Center, an arena and convention hall that is home to the Worcester Railers hockey team and a regular stop for major concerts and touring acts
  • The Palladium, a historic 1928 concert hall that hosts everything from local indie and metal acts to nationally touring bands
  • Worcester Common, a central green that hosts events like food trucks and seasonal ice skating
In the nearby Elm Park neighborhood, the Worcester Art Museum features world-class collections spanning 5,000 years, plus rotating exhibitions and the Higgins Armory arms-and-armor gallery. Elm Park itself is a 60-acre green space with paved paths, tennis and basketball courts, and a summer concert series. Polar Park, located just south in Green Island, is the home field of the Worcester Red Sox, a minor league baseball team.

The DCU Center in Downtown Worcester is home to the Worcester Railers Hockey Team.
The DCU Center in Downtown Worcester is home to the Worcester Railers Hockey Team.
Polar Park has drawn many fans.
Polar Park has drawn many fans.
The Hanover Theatre hosts shows throughout the week and weekends.
The Hanover Theatre hosts shows throughout the week and weekends.
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Local dining and shops in Downtown Worcester

Downtown Worcester has a diverse dining scene, with several options in the immediate area and surrounding neighborhoods. You can sit down for a meal at:

  • The Mercantile, a multi-level restaurant and rooftop bar with New American tavern cuisine and city views
  • deadhorse hill, a rustic spot housed in a historic former hotel with [AS1.1]seasonal tasting menus focused on New England ingredients
  • Armsby Abbey, a gastropub known for its craft beer and farmhouse-inspired menu
  • Cha Shu, An izakaya pub-inspired spot specializing in Japanese cuisine like sushi and ramen
Shrewsbury Street, the city’s dining district with a large concentration of restaurants, is just east of the neighborhood. . When you need to pick up groceries, you can stop by Gala Foods Supermarket, which is in the neighborhood. Big-box retailers, more grocery stores and nationally-known restaurants can be found in nearby communities, including North Quinsigamond Village, Shrewsbury and North Lincoln Street.

Worcester Common is the heart of downtown Worcester.
Worcester Common is the heart of downtown Worcester.

What’s happening in Downtown Worcester

Downtown Worcester hosts community events throughout the year, mostly on the Worcester Common. The Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers Market series is a free 10-week summer gathering with live music, food trucks and local produce, while the Downtown Worcester Winter Festival is a seasonal celebration featuring ice-carving demonstrations and free skating on the outdoor rink. Around the holidays, the Festival of Lights is the city’s tree-lighting ceremony, and the Harvest Festival in the fall is a long-running event with vendors and family-friendly activities.

Getting around the region from Downtown Worcester

Downtown Worcester is somewhat walkable. “You can easily walk to both restaurants and entertainment options,” Zamarro says. Trips outside the neighborhood, however, typically require a drive. Interstate 290 borders the neighborhood, connecting to Interstate 90 and state Route 146 for regional travel. Boston is about 50 miles east, and Union Station, located downtown, has a commuter rail that takes travelers to the capital. Worcester Regional Airport is about 5 miles away, and Boston-Logan International Airport is about 50 miles away.

Adreanna DeMarino
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Lisa Dachsteiner
Photography Contributed By
Lisa Dachsteiner
GL Moses
Video By
GL Moses

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Worcester Regional

12 min drive

Bus

Maj Taylor Blvd & Thomas Outbound

Bus

Main St & Wellington St

Bus

Foster St & Waldo St

Bus

Southbridge St & Madison St

Bus

Front Street Outbound

Bus

Belmont St & Fountain St

Bus

Main St & Old Dmv

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown Worcester neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Worcester US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
230
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1988
Months of Supply
5.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,690
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,906
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
927
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
578
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
315
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
44
Median Rent
$1,700
Median Condo Rent
$1,875
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,250

Demographics

Total Population
6,007
Median Age
32
Population Density
19 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$23,727
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$47,237

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
80.8%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
36.2%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.6%
% Population in Labor Force
63.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
45''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Exceptionally walkable

Walkability®

90 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

70 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Worcester