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Chilmark

Chilmark

Neighborhood in Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts

Dukes County 02535

$2,944,529 Average Value
$1,197 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Martha's Vineyard town that looks like the Irish countryside

Chilmark is still, quiet and hilly. The only noise regularly heard in this up-island Martha’s Vineyard town is the pitter-patter of deer hooves and the distant rush of waves crashing into Lucy Vincent Beach. “It starts to look like Irelend,” says Win Baker, vice president of operations at Point B Realty in Edgartown. “It has big rolling hills and lots of farmland.” Chilmark is where people keep their homes for decades, where they live at the end of private dirt roads, where every home lot must be at least three acres, where fishing boats leave as the sun rises, where neighbors turn out in droves for town meetings about community center tennis. Its mighty-waved beaches are open only to town residents, keeping them quiet compared to public stretches like South Beach in Edgartown. There’s no downtown district and no gastropubs here. But that’s why people pick Chilmark instead of other Vineyard towns like Oak Bluffs. “If you drive down Middle Road, you see farmland that goes into the ocean,” says Lisa Lucier, owner/broker with Anchor Realty in Oak Bluffs. “It’s just pastures, horses and sheep, and you have the ocean in the background. It’s really pretty.”

State Rd winds through the hills of Chilmark.
State Rd winds through the hills of Chilmark.
Livestock is not an uncommon sight in the Chilmark Community.
Livestock is not an uncommon sight in the Chilmark Community.
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Not many home sales in Chilmark, but sticker prices are high

Neighbors in Chilmark have plenty of privacy, but it comes at a price. Gray-shingled Cape Cod-style houses spanning 1,000 square feet can cost $2 million, and vast family compounds with a pool and water views from every angle can go for nearly $13 million. Despite the high sticker prices, Chilmark has the second-lowest property tax rate of any island town, at $2.63. Edgartown and Chilmark typically have the most expensive homes on the island, says Baker. The difference is that sales volume in Edgartown is consistently high, whereas in Chilmark, it’s not. “But anything that sells there is expensive,” he says. Prices range from $2.2 million to $12.1 million. Exclusive neighborhoods surrounding Squibnocket Pond provide wealthy residents with high levels of privacy.

Sprawling new homes can be found throughout Chilmark.
Sprawling new homes can be found throughout Chilmark.
Large lots give you plenty of privacy from your neighbors in Chilmark.
Large lots give you plenty of privacy from your neighbors in Chilmark.
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Old school fishing village

Within Chilmark is Menemsha, a quaint fishing village along the Vineyard Sound. Boats go in and out all day, filled with members of the same families who have been fishing in the area for generations. Markets line the road to Menemsha Beach, selling fresh lobsters, clams and mussels. The beach is rocky, the waves are still and nearby Menemsha Hills offers hikes along the ocean edge. Menemsha Pond, which separates Chilmark from the neighboring town of Aquinnah, has tons of houses with boat docks.

A sculpture in Chilmark reminds visitors of the community's strong fishing roots
A sculpture in Chilmark reminds visitors of the community's strong fishing roots
The Menemsha Jetty provides residents with the best fishing in Chilmark.
The Menemsha Jetty provides residents with the best fishing in Chilmark.
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Best sunsets and surfing on Martha's Vineyard

On the opposite side of town, people watch the best sunsets on the island at Lucy Vincent Beach. The beach, which is hidden down a sandy and hilly road, is open only to Chilmark residents. Signs remind visitors to keep off the dunes, to keep the beach clean and what to do if caught in a rip tide. During the off-season, people go there to walk their dogs. Surfers love Squibnocket Beach, which has some of the best waves on the entire island. Dogs play off-leash on the beach early in the mornings.

People flock to Menemsha Beach in Chilmark to watch the sunset.
People flock to Menemsha Beach in Chilmark to watch the sunset.
A family listens to waves lap the shores of Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark.
A family listens to waves lap the shores of Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark.
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Culture and fresh baked goods in up-island town

Chilmark is rural, and people like their privacy, but neighbors are engaged in local affairs. Management of the tennis program at the Chilmark Community Center was such a hot topic that more than 200 people crowded into a small room to attend a town meeting. In the summer, dancers perform at the Yard, a performing arts venue that offers educational programs for kids. The Chilmark General Store, known for its pizza, sells locally grown food, coffee from Chilmark Coffee Company and fresh baked goods.

Play a friendly match on the courts behind the Chilmark Community Center.
Play a friendly match on the courts behind the Chilmark Community Center.
Chilmark residents can watch local kid's theater at the Community Center.
Chilmark residents can watch local kid's theater at the Community Center.
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Living away from it all

It's a hike to get to Chilmark, but people like it that way. It’s a 30-minute drive to downtown Edgartown and Oak Bluffs and about 25 minutes to Vineyard Haven, which has a year-round ferry. Martha’s Vineyard Airport is 15 minutes away, and neighbors can take advantage of year-round Cape Air flights and seasonal service via JetBlue, Delta and American Airlines.

The setting sun reflects off Stonewall Pond in Chilmark.
The setting sun reflects off Stonewall Pond in Chilmark.
Find the perfect balance of country and beach living in Chilmark.
Find the perfect balance of country and beach living in Chilmark.
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Multi-age classrooms, a Chilmark school tradition

Kids in Chilmark attend Chilmark School for kindergarten through fifth grade. The school combines kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades and fourth and fifth grades. The multi-age classroom, as it’s called, has been part of Chilmark School since its founding and allows for customized learning based on the needs of each student. Chilmark School is rated B-plus by Niche. After fifth grade, most kids attend West Tisbury School, which has a B rating from Niche, and then Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The high school, rated B-plus, offers vocational programs, human services, college preparation courses and more.

Chilmark Elementary School received an A- in the academic category by Niche.
Chilmark Elementary School received an A- in the academic category by Niche.
West Tisbury School received an overall B rating from Niche.
West Tisbury School received an overall B rating from Niche.
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
Welcome to Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
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Laura Finaldi
Written By
Laura Finaldi
Photography Contributed By
Shawn Miller
Edward Pokoj
Video By
Edward Pokoj

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

Martha's Vineyard

19 min drive

Bus

Chilmark Community Center

Bus

Chilmark Overlook Outbound

Bus

Meetinghouse Road

Bus

Across From Waskosim's Rock Reservation

Bus

Chilmark Town Parking Lot

Bus

Across From Tabor House Road

Bus

Menemsha Beach

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Chilmark 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)
$1,850,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,947,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,197
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Months of Supply
6.00
Median List Price
$2,299,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
25%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-42%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
847
Median Year Built
1981
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,268
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,344
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
135,036

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 Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,517
Median Age
56
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
15.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
37.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$129,009
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$161,487

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
64.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
6''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

13 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

4 / 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.