$295,404Average Value$223Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Chicopee’s riverside enclave
On a Wednesday morning in Willimansett, diners are wide awake at Jennifer’s Kitchen. They chat with each other from several booths away, and waitresses already know what customers will order by the time they sit down. This kind of neighborly familiarity is emblematic of this Chicopee, Massachusetts, community. About 3 miles long, Willimansett includes more than 10,000 residents, but geography and history have made it a close-knit community. By the late 1800s, it became an enclave for French Canadian immigrants. Many worked in paper mills in the city of Holyoke, directly across the Connecticut River from Willimansett, rather than in Chicopee or nearby Springfield. The neighborhood is no longer defined by a single ethnicity or nationality, but it remains tucked away on Chicopee’s west end, between the Connecticut River and Interstate 391. Chicopee was built by factory work and immigrant communities, and Willimansett retains much of that identity.
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning celebrates Polish history near Willmansett.
Dining, manufacturing on Chicopee and Meadow streets
Restaurants and stores including Jennifer’s Kitchen line the neighborhood’s two north-south thoroughfares: Chicopee Street and Meadow Street. Kielbasa and babkas are available for pick-up from Bernat’s, a deli that started in Poland in 1914 before moving to Chicopee. The store hires a police detail to handle the annual mass of people who come on Good Friday to buy supplies for their Easter dinners. Most Chicopee residents take care of their shopping 3 miles east of Willimansett along Memorial Drive. Big Y supermarket, Walmart, The Home Depot and other retail chains have stores in the shopping centers along the road.
Chicopee has been an industrial center since the 1800s, when textile mills were built along the Chicopee River. One of the city’s largest remaining manufacturers operates on Meadow Street: Callaway Golf. The company makes more than 200,000 golf balls every day in the neighborhood.
Walks and bike rides alongside the Connecticut River
Residents are rarely more than a mile from taking in views of the river from the Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway. The trail follows the river for about 2 miles along the west side of Willimansett. Even in the middle of a chilly fall day, locals are walking along the path. Hikers and cyclists may encounter Chicopee Mayor John Vieau along the way. “I personally use it, and ride my bike on it almost every day,” Vieau says. The southern end of the trail ends at Medina Street Boat Ramp, an access point for the river. Sarah Jane Sherman Park, home to a skate park and three baseball diamonds, is the site of Chicopee’s annual National Night Out in August. Hundreds come for music, games and face-to-face time with local police officers and firefighters, who hand out backpacks and school supplies. One of the city’s biggest events, National Night Out has been held in Chicopee since 1994, garnering awards from the National Night Out organization. A few blocks away, Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee expanded its Willimansett facility in 2024 when it opened a teen center with a video game den, study areas and a digital media lab.
The bike path along the river in Willmanset is picture perfect.
Residence enjoy tossing around the football at Sarah Jane Sherman Park in Willmansett.
Rivers Park has playgrounds, courts and fields to play on in Willmansett.
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Homes ranging from Victorian to midcentury
Chicopee Street curves through the center of Willimansett, and most homes sit along smaller cross streets that run east and west of it. The oldest homes are on the north end, where multifamily homes with up to six bedrooms date to the late 1800s. Heading south, architecture transitions to American Foursquare and minimal traditional houses and finally ranches and split-levels. Regardless of style, single-family homes tend to be bunched together on small lots. Prices start around $200,000 for houses under 1,000 square feet, climbing to about $400,000 for 2,000-square-foot homes. Townhouses and condos are in the middle of the neighborhood, priced between the low $100,000s and low $200,000s. A floodwall and earthen dike have reduced the risk of flooding by the Connecticut River, according to FEMA.
Rows of Ranch homes are found in Willmansett.
Townhouses common in the Willmansett neighborhood.
Split level homes are present in Willmansett.
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High schools battle for a sword
Children can stay in the neighborhood and attend Stefanik Elementary School, graded B-minus by Niche. The public elementary school was built in 1970 without a playground, but that changed in 2019 when the principal raised $60,000 from the community, students designed a playground and locals turned out to build it. After fifth grade, kids can go to Bellamy Middle School, scored a C-plus, and then B-rated Chicopee High School. Chicopee High has a long-running football rivalry with the city’s other high school, Chicopee Comprehensive High. The two teams play every Thanksgiving morning, and since 1964 the mayor has awarded the winning school with a trophy the schools trade back and forth: a 19th-century sword.
Chicopee High has a B rating and is well regarded for its college prep near Willmansett.
Bellamy Middle school is the option for children in the Willmansett area.
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Polish community founded St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Many of Chicopee’s churches were founded by immigrants who came in search of jobs, which is the case with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Willimansett. Families from Poland started the Catholic parish in the 1920s so they could worship in their native language, and today the priest celebrates Mass in English, Polish and Spanish.
Willmansett has easy access to I-90 and 391.
Alongside I-391
Sidewalks are common and bike lanes are marked along major roads such as Chicopee Street and Meadow Street. Still, people typically get around by car. Interstate 391 leads from Willimansett 6 miles south to Springfield, where the highway connects to Interstate 91 and continues 30 miles farther to Hartford. Chicopee commute times average 20 minutes, 10 minutes shorter than the statewide average. Generally, the Springfield metro has lighter traffic than other cities in Massachusetts, says Peter Ruffini, president of the Springfield-based Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley. “If you were to experience Boston commute traffic, and then you came out here, you’d laugh. There is commuter traffic, especially on I-91. You just don’t see the gridlock you see in some other cities.” Interstate 391 also extends north of Willimansett to the city of Holyoke, home to the closest hospital: Holyoke Medical Center. Three miles to the east is the nation's largest Air Force reserve base: Westover. It also hosts Westover Airport, a small civilian airport. Aircraft noise isn't a major concern in Willimansett, as the facility's typical flight patterns stay clear of the neighborhood.
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
Angela Flori,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ray Ash Park
Sarah Jane Park
Rivers Park
Lucy M. Wisniowski Memorial park
Transit
Airport
Bradley International
39 min drive
Bus
State HWY 116 & Sitarz
Bus
Meadow & Thomas (2)
Bus
Chicopee & Perrault
Bus
Meadow & Chicopee
Bus
Meadow & Dorrance
Bus
Chicopee & Narragansett
Bus
Chicopee & Daley
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Willimansett
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willimansett, Chicopee sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Willimansett, Chicopee over the last 12 months is $294,427, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Come see this updated, well-kept condo opportunity! Featuring beautiful hardwood floors throughout and numerous updates, this home is truly move-in ready. Enjoy the convenience of condo living with low-maintenance comfort and stylish upgrades. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity schedule your showing today!
Welcome to this beautifully maintained colonial offering 3 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1,904 sq ft—not including the partially finished basement! The maple kitchen features granite countertops and opens to bright, inviting living space. Upstairs, the primary suite offers tray ceilings, a large walk-in closet, and a private bath. All bedrooms are generously sized, and second-floor laundry
Corie BongiovanniColdwell Banker Realty - Western MA
Welcome Home to 80 Empire Street. A Hidden Gem! This warm and inviting 3 Bedroom Cape offers charm, comfort and space to make memories. Featuring Harwood floors, 2 full baths and a cozy living room with both a fireplace and inserted pellet stove. Upstairs boasts 2 inviting Bedrooms and a whole-house fan for cooling off in the summer. The sunlit kitchen opens to a 4-season sunroom and a large
***Currently working off a waitlist. All applications must meet income guidelines to be places on all waitlists.***Chicopee Village Town homes in Chicopee MA is conveniently located adjacent to the bustling city of Springfield Massachusetts yet remains within easy access of several picturesque New England towns. Chicopee Village Town homes in Chicopee MA offers an array of one, two and
Step into this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath home featuring generous room sizes, gleaming hardwood floors, and plenty of natural light. Located on the first floor, this inviting unit offers comfort and convenience, with all utilities included in the rent.
PLEASE READ!!! **APPLY ONLINE** Building details: $1750 per month Available April 20, 2025 NOTE: THIS IS A 3 UNIT HOME, renting second floor only NOT the whole house. -Location: Chicopee, MA -3 bedrooms 1 bath, 2nd floor -Stainless steel appliances; -Laundry room in basement, your own washer/dryer included -Free parking in driveway -Free storage space -Your own open private back porch deck -Quiet
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angela Flori,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
10,247
Median Age
38
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$51,420
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,493
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
21.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.5%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
49/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 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.
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.
