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Ballardvale

Ballardvale

Suburban Neighborhood in Andover, Massachusetts

Essex County 01810

$982,436 Average Value
$372 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

From mills along the river to a quiet Andover village

Mills once dotted the banks of the Shawsheen River, taking advantage of the power the moving water provided. It was around these mills that the village of Ballardvale originally grew, becoming known for producing a wide range of products. Added to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1987, the area is dotted with 19th-century mills and buildings built in various architectural styles, each attesting to its rich history. These buildings and homes are a short walk or drive away from bustling parks and established schools, all under the shade of towering hardwood trees. “It’s a small historic neighborhood with no downtown area, but it is a very close-knit community,” says Kathy Cyrier, a luxury properties specialist with William Raveis Real Estate who has been serving the Andover area for over 30 years, “it also has its own commuter rail station which is a big draw.”

White squirrels along the trails

Ballardvale Park is a focal point for many residents. It offers a sizable playground, a basketball court and a baseball field where the local Little League holds practices and games. “It has just a phenomenal playground so close to many homes,” says Cyrier. Pole Hill Reservation or Vale Reservation are local parks where residents can canoe along the Shawsheen River, hike miles of nature paths, and even catch glimpses of Ballardvale’s white squirrels. Although they’re common in Ballardvale, these squirrels carry recessive leucistic genes that make them rare in other parts of the country.

Ballardvale Park has a playground and athletic fields in Ballardvale.
Ballardvale Park has a playground and athletic fields in Ballardvale.
Search Pole Hill for Ballardvale's famous white squirrels.
Search Pole Hill for Ballardvale's famous white squirrels.
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From mill worker residences to historic homes

The residential streets in Ballardvale are tree-lined and meandering, often ending in cul-de-sacs, with housing styles commonly falling between Colonial Revival, Cape Cods and split-level inspired homes. While it’s possible to find a home built within the last few years, most homes are older or historic, with many dating back to the 1800s. “Some of the houses were originally constructed for mill workers but have now been remodeled and refurbished into a number of single-family homes or townhouses,” Cyrier says. Prices commonly range from around $550,000 to $1.4 million, with some larger Colonial Revival homes climbing to over $2 million. The neighborhood also has a CAP Index crime score of 1/10, much lower than the national average of 4/10.

Homes in Ballardvale include colonial homes with double garages.
Homes in Ballardvale include colonial homes with double garages.
Cape Cod homes are popular in the Ballardvale area.
Cape Cod homes are popular in the Ballardvale area.
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Local commuter rails and Interstate 93

Even with Ballardvale's historic nature, it is always close to modern amenities. The neighborhood is just off Interstate 93 and State Route 125, making the 22-mile commute to Boston a 30-minute drive away. Those who wish to skip the roads can take the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail from the Ballardvale station in the center of the neighborhood. “There are plenty of parking spaces for the stop, and it goes right to North Station, so it is great if you are going to a Celtics game or anything at TD Garden,” Cyrier says. The area is also quite walkable, with residents walking and biking to grab a slice of pizza or head to the park. Boston Logan International Airport is 24 miles to the south, and Andover Medical Center is 2.7 miles to the north.

Global scholars with Andover public schools

Students can attend South Elementary School, West Middle School, a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, and Andover High School. All three schools receive A ratings on Niche, and the high school offers a Global Pathways Scholar Program where students study a world language like Spanish, French, Chinese or Latin over a period of three years, building a global portfolio involving an immersive experience and a Capstone research project along the way.

South Elementary School in Bellardvale promotes academic excellence to students.
South Elementary School in Bellardvale promotes academic excellence to students.
Andover High School in the Bellardvale community, offers students an array of course.
Andover High School in the Bellardvale community, offers students an array of course.
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Spinners Pizza and downtown Andover options

As the only restaurant in Ballardvale, the family-owned Spinners Pizza Parlor has been the go-to spot for locals to grab a pizza, sub or chicken wings for decades. Cyrier also says locals can head the mile and a half to get to downtown Andover for additional dining options, like Casa Blanca. This Mexican restaurant is known for serving classic dishes in a homey atmosphere. Locals can pick up daily essentials at Sunday’s General Store in Ballardvale or drive to downtown Andover to get groceries at Whole Foods or Stop & Shop.

Step into the lively world of Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant near Ballardvale.
Step into the lively world of Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant near Ballardvale.
Spinner Pizza Parlor has great food and happy customers in Ballardvale.
Spinner Pizza Parlor has great food and happy customers in Ballardvale.
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Ballardvale Day and tree lightings

To honor the neighborhood's historic nature, the community comes together in October to celebrate Ballardvale Day, which includes historic walking tours, fishing exhibits and bouncy houses. In the winter, the community heads to Faith Lutheran Church for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and caroling concert, filling the cold winter air with holiday songs and the warm twinkling glow of Christmas tree lights.

Fishing happens all year long at the Vale Reservation in Ballardvale.
Fishing happens all year long at the Vale Reservation in Ballardvale.
War memorials are found on the common in Ballardvale.
War memorials are found on the common in Ballardvale.
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Braxton Puentes
Written By
Braxton Puentes
Amanda Beattie
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
EB Fox
Video By
EB Fox

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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kelly Dimbat, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

35 min drive

Train

Ballardvale

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$880,500
Median Single Family Price
$950,000
Median Townhouse Price
$980,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$372
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Months of Supply
0.50
Median List Price
$875,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
674
Median Year Built
1975
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,617
Significantly above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,496
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,490
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
779
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
27,442

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Kelly Dimbat, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,363
Median Age
43
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$184,999
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$205,258

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.7%
College Graduates
77.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
40.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
20''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

29 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

8 / 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.

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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
Ballardvale