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University Park

University Park

$531,280 Average Value
$282 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Main South

Called Main South by locals, Worcester’s University Park neighborhood centers around Main Street and Clark University. Traditionally, this area had a rough reputation, but community development efforts over the last decade have pushed it forward. It's where people stay from one generation to the next, where Victorian houses and traditional Worcester three-decker homes sit next to each other on urban streets and where diverse cuisines are well-represented. “Growing up it was just all families. When your mom wanted you to come home for dinner, she would yell, and it would get relayed down the street and you would head home,” says Billy McGuiness, co-owner of 1 Worcester Homes and a native of Main South. “You run into people and they look vaguely familiar, and they say, ‘oh you grew up over there too.’ It’s just like a little pocket there.”

Try The Grease Barbershop in Main South.
Try The Grease Barbershop in Main South.
Pilgrim Congregational Church looks over Main South.
Pilgrim Congregational Church looks over Main South.
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There are many businesses and restaurants on Main St in Main South.
There are many businesses and restaurants on Main St in Main South.

Cuisine of the world

University Park is known for its diverse restaurant offerings. Main Taqueria serves tacos and enchiladas from inside a cozy brick building. Ha Tien Market sells Vietnamese groceries and house-made banh mi. Baked pop tarts and espresso are available at New Tradition Company, a coffee house with rugs and a motorcycle theme. Maria's Kitchen makes large portions of pork shoulder and plantains. Chains like Dunkin and Family Dollar also have a presence here, and a Price Chopper supermarket is about 1 mile away. Students at Clark, a private liberal arts school, regularly hang out at Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern and Annie’s Clark Brunch.

This incredible Queen Anne home has been converted into a multi family residence in Main South.
This incredible Queen Anne home has been converted into a multi family residence in Main South.

Victorian homes on urban streets

Houses in University Park sit right next to each other on densely packed streets. Historic Queen Anne homes, Victorian houses with bay windows and multifamily properties sit near spectacular brick church buildings. Street parking is the norm, though some homes have driveways, and some hide behind wooden or chain-link fences. Single-family homes here range in price from about $260,000 to $600,000. Investors will also find an abundance of multi-family properties starting at $560,000 and going up to $1.4 million. Those looking for a condo can expect to pay between $150,000 and $350,000. Neighbors can easily walk around the area to restaurants, retail shops and social service organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester and Catholic Charities Worcester County.

South High Community School has an overall rating of B according to Niche.
South High Community School has an overall rating of B according to Niche.

Accelerated academics

Children living in University Park can attend Worcester Public Schools, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Some kids are assigned to the C-rated Goddard School of Science & Technology for elementary school, followed by Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School, which earns a C-plus, and South High Community School, which is rated a B. Kids at Sullivan and South High can enroll in the Goddard Scholars Academy, an academically rigorous magnet program for high achievers in the Worcester school district. Worcester Public Schools also has a dual enrollment plan where high schoolers can take college courses and offers a fine arts magnet program at three of its schools.

Toy boat races

Main South is gritty and urban but has one of the city’s most picturesque parks. Also known as Crystal Park, the neighborhood green space spans about 14 acres and features tennis and basketball courts, a playground and picnic areas. Crystal Pond hosts the occasional toy boat race. Walking pathways swerve throughout for quiet moments of reflection.

Another stunning view of university Park.
Another stunning view of university Park.
Artists have their work displayed in University Park.
Artists have their work displayed in University Park.
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Bus service for Main South can be found up and down Main St.
Bus service for Main South can be found up and down Main St.

Driving and public transit

Public transportation is available via the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, which has several bus stops along Main Street. Main South is minutes from Interstate 290 and Route 146, a roadway that connects Worcester with Providence , Rhode Island. Union Station, where people can catch the commuter rail train to Boston , is a 10-minute drive. But Main South is an insular neighborhood where residents walk to eateries, bring their kids to the park and participate actively in their community. “Worcester is a great city, and if you spend time in the neighborhood and get to know people, and visit small mom and pop shops and restaurants, you get to see what makes it special,” says McGuiness.

Laura Finaldi
Written By
Laura Finaldi
David Ciolfi
Photography Contributed By
David Ciolfi
Samantha Houtchens
Video By
Samantha Houtchens

Agents Specializing 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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Worcester Regional

11 min drive

Bus

Main St & Mill

Bus

661 Park Ave (Meinke)

Bus

King St & Bluff St

Bus

Park Ave & Shirley St

Bus

Chandler St & Dewey St

Bus

Main St & Oread Pl

Bus

Park Ave & Chandler

Reviews

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

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime University Park US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 6 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

University Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$395,000
Median Sale Price
$260,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$529,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$233,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-15%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$282

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
528
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1890
Months of Supply
7.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,609
Below the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,195
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
916
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
729
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Dec 27
    11am - 1pm

    12 Stoneland Rd, Worcester, MA 01603

    $529,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,854 Sq Ft
    • 12 Stoneland Rd

    Price Reduced! Don’t miss this beautifully remodeled colonial in the heart of Worcester. This property has the potential to be converted into TWO FAMILY. Featuring 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a 1-car garage, this home offers the perfect combination of space, comfort, and style. Located on a convenient corner lot on a quiet one-way street (Haynes Street), this property is just

    Frances Alvarez Palace Realty Boston

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  • Sunday, Dec 14
    10:30 - 11:30am

    33 Florence St, Worcester, MA 01610

    $474,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,230 Sq Ft
    • 33 Florence St
    • New 25 days ago

    Completely remodeled historic home just seconds from Clark University—ideal for investors seeking student rentals or owner-occupants. Every upgrade has been done while preserving original charm. The first floor features an open-concept layout with high ceilings, recessed lighting, and luxury vinyl plank flooring. The brand-new kitchen includes sleek white cabinetry, quartz countertops with a

    Paul O'Rourke The O'Rourke Group Real Estate Professionals

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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

Demographics

Total Population
12,523
Median Age
35
Population Density
35 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$36,333
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$51,656

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
70.3%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
15.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.1%
% Population in Labor Force
56.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
48''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

91 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

39 / 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

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
University Park
Cynthia Walsh MacKenzie
Walsh and Associates Real Estate
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