$1,503,432Average Value$672Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
The road to the sea is a great place to walk in the Acoaxet neighborhood.
Just south of the fork in the road
With the publication of “The Preppy Handbook” in 1980, the word “summer” morphed from a noun into a verb, as in, “I prefer to summer in the Northeast.” But long before author Lisa Birnbach celebrated the glories of boarding schools and madras pants, people were indeed summering in Acoaxet, a secluded spot on the southwest coast of Massachusetts. “It’s a place where you can escape,” says Stefanie Carr, a Realtor with Lila Delman Compass. “You can be a high-profile person but still go unnoticed here.” And fortunately, it’s not hard to find. It’s just a matter of driving south on Old Harbor Drive to the (literal) fork in the road.
Originally established as a farming community, Acoaxet became a sort of summer colony by the late 19th century. Wealthy families built summer homes in the area; they were attracted to the scenery, the cool temperatures and the secluded nature of the spit of land that bordered Rhode Island to the west and the Westport River to the east. That tradition continues today, as Acoaxet’s population swells by more than 25% during the summer months, as visitors and seasonal residents flock to the small town, themselves attracted by the same qualities that brought the original summer residents. But this sleepy community also serves as home to roughly 16,000 year-round residents, hardy souls who endure what can be, at times, brutal winter weather.
Beach or boat passages along the Acoaxet waterfront are a pleasant diversion.
The great outdoors in Acoaxet
Leisure activities – especially summer leisure activities – are the true distinguishing feature of Acoaxet. Most of the beaches in Acoaxet are private, as Massachusetts property laws dictate that waterfront property owners own the land in front of their homes to the mean low-tide line. However, there are two private clubs – the Elephant Rock Beach Club and the Atlantic Beach Club – that offer beach access to members, along with other benefits like cabanas, changing rooms and restroom facilities. There is also a public beach on Atlantic Avenue along Acoaxet’s southern coast, which is staffed by lifeguards during the summer season. At the Acoaxet Club, members can enjoy the golf course and tennis courts. Sailors congregate at the Spindle Rock Club, which offers a comprehensive youth sailing program along with adult instruction and racing. Recreation here also includes more terrestrial-based sites, including the 80-acre Old Harbor Wildlife Refuge. The refuge’s 2 miles of trails pass through upland and wetland habitats, home to a variety of local wildlife.
Quiet seaside homes and charming ponds dot the Acoaxet neighborhood.
A limited housing supply
With the high demand in Acoaxet paired with the supreme waterfront views, those seeking to buy here will have to be patient, and they’ll have to pay a premium when a house comes on the market. The average home goes under contract within six days, meaning they’ll have to act fast, too. The median home price here is around $2.3 million, and buyers can expect to pay an average of $687 per square foot. A three-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home can sell for around $850,000, with prices going up to $2.5 million for a three-bedroom/three-bathroom farmhouse-style home on the water.
Westport Middle School and Westport High School are housed in the same building with excellence.
Westport Schools district earn a B
Acoaxcet is served by Westport Schools, which earns an overall rating of B from Niche. Westport Elementary School and Westport Junior/Senior High School both earn a B-minus. The merged Junior/Senior High School opened in 2021 following the completion of a $97 million renovation. Students there can participate in any of over 20 school-sponsored clubs and they have the opportunity to play 16 varsity-level sports. Parents also have multiple private school options in the area, including nearby Portsmouth Abbey School, which earns an A-plus rating from Niche.
The Barn Restaurant serves homestyle breakfasts in a rustic 2-story renovated barn near Acoaxet.
To eat, drink and shop, a trek may be necessary
The remote nature that is so much of Acoaxcet’s appeal comes with the drawback of a lack of nearby shopping and dining establishments. For groceries, locals here make the 6-mile trip north to Lee’s Market. Shopping for household necessities requires a little longer trip, as the nearest Walmart is 25 miles away in Newport, Rhode Island. For dining out, though, locals don’t have to travel quite so far. The Barn, just over the Rhode Island border in Little Compton, serves hearty breakfast every day until noon, and The Westporter has been serving farm-to-table specialties with a global flair since 1992.
Take the Fork in the Road in the Acoaxet neighborhood.
The iconic Acoaxet fork in the road
About that fork in the road. The wooden sculpture that has become something of a local icon is hard to miss, given that it’s about 10 feet tall. It was installed by area resident Tom Schmitt in 2010, and today serves as a sort of artistic welcome to Acoaxcet. Schmitt adorns the fork with various holiday costumes, too, including a hotdog for the Fourth of July, a Santa hat at Christmas and a heart for Valentine’s Day. But whichever way a driver chooses to go at the fork, they’ll still end up in this quiet and secluded coastal 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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
Erin Matlack,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Westport Town Farm
Dunham's Brook Conservation Area
Bike Trails
Trails
Events
Old Harbor Wildlife Refuge
Westport Woods Conservation Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Nature Center
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
59 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Acoaxet
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
On average, homes in Acoaxet, Westport sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Acoaxet, Westport over the last 12 months is $2,054,166, up 22% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rarely available building lot with frontage on Old Harbor road in the Harbor of Westport. Build your dream house in this enviable location. Convenient access to the Acoaxet Club for oceanfront golf, tennis, and dining. Elephant Rock Beach Club is also a short ride away. The farm coast is a hidden southern New England gem just over an hour from Boston and even closer to Providence. The
This Cape on 4+ acres is a gem. Located just outside Adamsville village, this is a great place to be. The house has had some recent updates with a brand new septic, new HVAC system, air filtration and water filtration. The home overlooks a tidal pond, and the Westport river. There is a lovely trail through the back of the property that takes you to the marsh at the edge of the river. This would
Private setting set back from Road with open space buffer on both sides. Lot is accessed by 20' right of way. Old stone walls accent the property. A beautiful combination of trees and cleared land. Build your full time dream home or perfect spot for second home close to Acoaxet, Elephant Rock Beach and Westport Harbor. Buyer to pay the Little Compton Land Transfer Tax at the time of closing.
William Parker SizelandCompass / Lila Delman Compass
$15,000/month FURNISHED SUMMER RENTAL W/ PRIVATE DOCK & BEACH CLUB ACCESS! Stunning coastal retreat along the west branch of the Westport River offering the perfect blend of New England charm & modern comfort. This 4 BD, 4.5 BA home boasts an open design flooded w/ natural light & scenic views. The gourmet chef's kit w/ a large island flows to a spacious dining & living area offering an ideal
SHORT TERM WEEKLY RENTAL WESTPORT HARBOR. Now taking requests to book for summer 2025, as well as the upcoming winter season. Two week minimum booking. Summer rate $12,000 per week; winter rate $6,000 per week. Plan your stay now for a unique, luxury experience. Antique barn converted into a 6,400+ SF residence featuring open, flexible spaces that offer cozy conversation and dining areas.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Erin Matlack,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
900
Median Age
61
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
12%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
43%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$120,535
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$143,289
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.1%
College Graduates
49.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
33''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
