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Southern Mattapan

Southern Mattapan

Neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts

Suffolk County 02126

$628,055 Average Value
$395 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Mattapan means “a great place to be”

When it comes to Mattapan, a southern section of Boston, one of the chief advantages is right in the name. “The location is awesome,” says Shalaye Camillo, founder and CEO of Vital Source Realty and Mattapan resident. “Mattapan is an indigenous word that means a great place to be. The location of Mattapan and the proximity you have to train stations, it’s very convenient.” Mattapan is also known for its history as a predominantly Caribbean, Haitian and African American community, which has resulted in the area’s diverse culinary and cultural scenes. Within the neighborhood itself, residents have access to multiple outdoor recreation areas and activities, including the Mass Audubon Boston Nature and the Neponset River. There are also three immediate community centers in the area that offer a variety of local resources and youth programs. Camilo notes that Mattapan is the last Boston township to the south before the town of Milton: “There are parts that are more urban and parts that are more suburban, I think that’s the contrast of lifestyles you can get,” she says.

Mildred Avenue Community Center offers youth recreation programs

There are three community centers in Mattapan: Mildred Avenue Community Center, Mattahunt Community Center and Gallivan Community Center. All three are part of the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) network and feature amenities that include technology centers, gymnasiums, sports teams, daycare programs and indoor pools. Right across from the Mildred Avenue Community Center is the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library, which hosts weekly story times for kids and community meetings, such as the Green Thumb Club, Senior Sewing class and more.

A plethora of local playgrounds

The heart of Mattapan – Mattapan Square – sits right along the Neponset River, which connects to the Neponset River Reservation and offers a number of hiking trails and nature walks. The reservation extends all the way to Boston Harbor; locals are permitted to use the river for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural preserve with outdoor observation pathways in the northwestern corner of the neighborhood. Mattapan is also home to a number of community parks, gardens and playground areas: “I have two little girls, so whenever we want to go to parks or splash pads or little pools, there’s so many green spaces and parks to visit around here,” says Camillo. Hunt Almont Playground is an extensive recreation spot with a playground and athletic facilities located adjacent to the Shangri-la Community Gardens. Located just off River Street is Ryan Playground, which is connected to a splash pad area and a set of basketball and tennis courts.

Shop and dine in Mattapan Square

Blue Hill Avenue is the place to go for a quick bite to eat after some outdoor fun; the neighborhood restaurants showcase the various nationalities within Mattapan. “You can find a lot of different food from around the world,” Camillo says. “Mattapan is a melting pot, so that’s a representation of the area.” Ali’s Roti, a West Indian restaurant, is a spot Camillo enjoys. “Delicious food,” she says. “I’ve been going there for over 30 years.” If you’d rather make a home-cooked meal, Camillo notes that Mattapan is convenient for grocery shopping — Stop & Shop and America’s Food Basket are among the options. In Mattapan Square, locals can sit down for breakfast at Brothers, a casual deli spot, or grab takeout from Las Vegas Express Restaurant, which specializes in Haitian cuisine. There are also several boutique shops and markets in Mattapan Square, including Mattapan Fish Market, BSW Beauty and America’s Food Basket of Mattapan.

Access to two MBTA commuter rail stations

This neighborhood's transportation access includes the Mattapan transit station on the Red Line of the Boston subway system, the MBTA, also known as “the T.” There are also two Boston commuter rail hubs nearby, the Blue Hill Avenue station and the Morton Street station, which both run along on the Fairmount Line, the Franklin/Foxboro Line and the Providence/Stoughton Line. Both stations can carry passengers to Downtown Boston, which is just about 6 miles north of Mattapan. Also, drivers can head just east of Mattapan to get onto Interstate 93 for commutes toward downtown. Mattapan has an overall CAP Index crime score of 5 out of 10, which is slightly higher than the national average of 4. The nearest hospital is Carney Hospital, which offers a 24-hour emergency room and is situated close by in neighboring Dorchester.

Mix of multifamily and single-family homes

Camillo calls Mattapan the last frontier in the Boston area, too, because of the still untapped development potential here. “Getting in home ownership right now, buyers stand to gain lots of equity here,” Camillo says. Among Mattapan’s benefits are its price points — you can get more bang for your buck here than in some other area neighborhoods, like Roslindale, Jamaica Plain and Dorchester, Camillo says, also noting that a single-family home in good condition will often sell for prices from $500,000 to $650,000. Multifamily houses can sell for prices from roughly $750,000 to the $900,000s, depending on condition and location. There’s a large mix of housing styles in this area, but some of the more common styles include mid-century bungalows and Cape Cod dwellings, American Foursquare properties and residences with traditional New England architecture such as clapboard siding, gambrel roofs and bay windows.

New Mission High School is a top ten magnet school in Massachusetts

Students in Mattapan are served by Boston Public Schools; for young learners, Mattahunt Elementary School offers pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through fifth-grade programs and receives a C rating from Niche. Mildred Avenue School is a kindergarten through eighth-grade institution that also receives a C rating. For grades nine through 12, Boston International High School is rated B-minus. Students can also enroll in the B-rated New Mission High School, a magnet institution for grades seven through 12 that was selected as a Blue Ribbon School in 2013, has a 97% four-year graduation rate and was named No. 8 on Niche’s 2024 “Best Magnet High Schools in Massachusetts” list.

Hayley Simms
Written By
Hayley Simms
Al Straggas
Photography Contributed By
Al Straggas
Chris Norton
Video By
Chris Norton

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 Mia Cameron, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

18 min drive

Bus

River St Opp Duxbury Rd

Bus

River St Opp Gladeside Ave

Bus

Cummins HWY & Hallowell St

Bus

River St Opp Leahaven Rd

Bus

Morton St & Lorna Rd

Bus

Blue Hill Ave & Woodhaven St

Bus

Cummins HWY & Livermore St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Southern Mattapan US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$550,000
Median Single Family Price
$605,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$209,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$297,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$395
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
35
Months of Supply
1.40
Median List Price
$590,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,653
Median Year Built
1945
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,422
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,381
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
902
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
652
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
458
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 2:30pm

    8 Faunce Rd Unit B, Mattapan, MA 02126

    $539,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,089 Sq Ft
    • 8 Faunce Rd
    • Unit B

    This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo offers modern comfort in a prime Boston location. Featuring brand-new finishes, an open-concept layout, and central air and heat (2 zones), this home is designed for style and convenience.The sleek kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and custom cabinetry. The bathroom has been tastefully upgraded with contemporary

    Rodrigo Roa Tullish & Clancy

    Section Image
  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 2:30pm

    8 Faunce Rd Unit A, Mattapan, MA 02126

    $559,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,297 Sq Ft
    • 8 Faunce Rd
    • Unit A

    This beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo on the first floor offers modern living in a prime Boston location. Featuring brand-new finishes, an open-concept layout, and central air and heat (2 zones), this home is designed for comfort and style.The updated kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and custom cabinetry. Both bathrooms have been stylishly upgraded

    Rodrigo Roa Tullish & Clancy

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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 Mia Cameron, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
9,310
Median Age
43
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,638
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,007

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.7%
College Graduates
21%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.4%
% Population in Labor Force
71.6%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
10''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

62 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

84 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

70 / 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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Reviews

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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
Southern Mattapan
Mia Cameron
Fort Hill Brokerage Group
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