Introduction

Winchester is a suburban town located 8.2 miles north of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Being the 7th wealthiest municipality in Massachusetts, it majorly plays the role of a bedroom community for those in the greater Boston area.

With a solid education system, safe neighborhoods, and the quaint look of a suburban town, Winchester is indeed a wonderful town to settle in. If you’re looking for a town that will prove beneficial to the future of your kids in terms of education and will also keep them safe, go for Winchester.

· Winchester was officially incorporated on 30th April, 1850.

· Although the town was named in honor of the Winchester family, Colonel Winchester never got to visit the town.

· Colonel William P. Winchester had donated a huge sum of money towards the construction of the Winchester Town Hall.

· Since Winchester has several ponds and also a river that once bisected the central village, it was once known as Black Horse Village.

· The Winchester Hospital is the first community hospital in Massachusetts to be bestowed with Magnet Recognition. It was also awarded 5 stars in 2019 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

· Winchester has one of the best public schools in the Boston region.

· The town is ideal for families with kids.

· Winchester is great for commuting to Boston. With a commuter line T shop, it takes 21 minutes to drive to Boston.

· Winchester is expensive in terms of real estate, with the median home price being north of $1.2 M.

· Winchester always ranks among one of the best towns to live in the Boston area.

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History of Winchester, MA

Native Americans were the ones to sell the land that later became Winchester. It was sold to the representatives of the settlement of Charlestown back in 1639, and the Europeans were the first to settle the area in 1640. The area was informally known as Waterfield during the initial years of the settlement, and also came to be called the Black Horse Village during the second century of its existence.

The town that is now Winchester was once a conglomeration of parts of Cambridge , Medford , Woburn , and Arlington. As the Whig Party in Massachusetts rose to power, it led to the incorporation of South Woburn. During its early years, the growth in the town happened alongside the developments in the field of transportation.

Winchester saw its first church in 1840, followed by the establishment of the first post office in 1841, post which came the town schools. Big and small industries started to see their ground in Winchester, including the Winn Watch Hand factory and the Beggs and Cobb tannery, both of which worked well till the 20th century.

The requirement of a municipal water supply became more evident by the time of the Civil War. After this, the engineers of the town convinced the residents to provide funds in order to build a dam located in the highlands towards the east side of the town. The creek that flowed from the Middlesex Fells was blocked by this structure, and led to the creation of the first of three reservoirs. These continue to supply clean water to the Winchester residents even today.

The growth of the town continued at an accelerated pace during the early 20th century, such as the evolution of the agri-industrial foundation into the suburban community as is evident today. An interesting fact to note down is that the Winchester Yankees were a mix of immigrants during this period. These included the Italians in the eastern plains, African-Americans in the New Hope Baptist Church in the highlands, and the Irish who lived in the eastern and northern areas of the town.

Demographics and Population of Winchester, MA

The population of Winchester, MA is 22,738. The median age is 42.8 years (44.3 years for women and 41.3 years for men).

Age Distribution

Winchester is a wonderful location for families with kids. The kids under the age of 5 make up 6.1% of the population and the children aged between 5 to 17 comprise of 22.5% of the population. The 18 to 24-year-olds come up to 5% and those between 25 to 34 take up 6.5% of Winchester’s population. The older residents aged between 55 to 64 make 12% of the population and those above 65 years of age come up to 17.7%. Most of Winchester’s population falls under the age bracket of 35 to 54.

Educational Attainment

10.79% of Winchester’s population comprises of high school graduates and 6.81% of them go to some college or the other. 3.69% of them end up getting an Associate’s degree, 31.21% get their Bachelor’s degree, and 46.06% of them also go ahead to acquire their Master’s degree.

Diversity in Winchester

Despite the majority of Winchester’s population being White, the diversity of the town is clearly evident with the presence of various communities and ethnicities. However, Winchester is not as diverse as the neighboring towns. Therefore, it may not be the first choice for those looking for a richly diverse town. 79.5% of the residents are White, 14.6% of them are Asians, 3.6% of them are a mix of two or more races, 2.1% are Hispanic or Latinos, and 0.3% are Blacks or African Americans.

Real Estate in Winchester, MA: What Do the Numbers Say?

With regards to real estate in Winchester, MA, the median list price of the homes in the town was $1.2M in August of 2021, being the same as the year before. The median listing price per square foot was recorded to be $452. The average market rent in Winchester is $3,370 per month and 85.3% of them own the home they live in, while the renters make up 14.7%.

Types of Homes

The most commonly found homes in Winchester are single-family homes. One can also find townhomes, small apartment buildings, apartment complexes, and a small portion of mobile homes in this town.

Home Value by Number of Bedrooms

Three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments are the most popular types in the town of Winchester. Therefore, those looking for an apartment to move in with their families will find this town to be a perfect choice.

Getting a Home in Winchester

Find a Local Agent

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Rentals and Properties in Winchester

Looking to rent a place in Winchester? Click here to check out some rentals in the town. Those wishing to buy a home can discover listings through this link.

Fields Chosen by the Residents of Winchester MA

The per capita income in Winchester is $79,752 and the median household income is $169,623. The industries that are most prevalent with regards to jobs in Winchester, MA are as follows:

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 22.6%
• Healthcare: 14.0%
• Education: 11.4%
• Manufacturing: 10.7%
• Finance: 10.6%
• Retail: 4.3%
• Information Technology: 3.7%
• Other: 3.3%
• Construction: 2.9%
• Accommodation: 2.9%
• Real Estate: 2.9%
• Public Service: 2.5%
• Wholesale: 2.3%

Cost of Living in Winchester

The cost of living in Winchester, MA is much higher than the national average, coming to 211.4. Groceries, health products, and housing come up to 118.5, 83.4, and 439.2 respectively. Utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous items come to 112.8, 105.3, and 124.7. The categories that are the most expensive happen to be transportation, food, and housing.

K-12 Schools in Winchester, MA

Be it a well-established school system or research-based teaching, the education offered in the town of Winchester is substantial and highly ranked.

The best public schools in Winchester, MA in the public sector are:

· Ambrose Elementary

· Muraco Elementary

· Winchester High School

· Vinson-Owen Elementary

The diversity score of the one of best schools in Winchester, MA, Winchester High School, is 0.42, which is lower than the diversity score of the state average of 0.59.

Private Schools

If you want to send your kids to a private school, here are the best options:

· Acera School

· Children's Own School

Kindergarten

Quality education is required for a child even at a preschool level. Here are the kindergarten options to choose from in Winchester:

· Winchester Preschool

· Preschool Social Academy

· St. Mary's School

After-School Activities

Being a working parent means you won’t always get to pick your child up as soon as school is out. This is why Winchester has several after-school options to help out the parents in need of it. The ones to choose from are listed below:

Kids’ Corner: Open five days a week during the school seasons, Kids’ Corner exposes the kids to a wide range of activities to help with their physical, emotional, social, creative, and cognitive development.

Winchester Recreation: Winchester Recreation offers summer programs in addition to after-school activities, which is definitely a plus.

Winchester School of Chinese Culture: A branch of the Winchester School of Chinese Culture is also present in Belmont, with two sites located in Newton.

Crime Rate in Winchester, MA

An A+ overall crime grade entails that the crime rate in Winchester, MA is much lower compared to the average US city. Falling in the 95th percentile in terms of safety, only 5% of the US cities are safer than Winchester. During a standard year, the crime rate in Winchester, MA is 10.10 per 1,000 residents. Being a victim of crime in this town is 1 in 127 in the southwest area and 1 in 67 in the central part.

The crime rate in Winchester, MA is 83% lower than the national average. The violent crimes in the town are 92% lower than the national average. The rate of crime in Winchester has decreased by 19% year after year.

Commute to and from Winchester

Commuting one-way in average takes about 33 minutes in Winchester, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes. 70.8% of the residents drive their own cars to commute and 12.1% of them use mass transit.

Commuter Trains

Winchester’s MBTA Commuter Rail station is known as Winchester Center station. Not only does it serve all the trains in the Lowell Line but also a few of the Haverhill Line trains running via the Wildcat Branch. The Lowell Line runs from Boston to Lowell, Massachusetts.

Bus Connectivity

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provides bus routes for the residents to travel to various places from Winchester. Boston Logan International Airport, Tufts University, and Downton Boston can all be accessed through these routes.

Nearby Airports

The airports nearest to Winchester, MA are the Laurence G. Hanscom Field (Bedford) and Boston Logan International Airport. These are accessible using the bus and commuter line. The travel time from Winchester to Laurence G. Hanscom Field by car is 22 minutes and from Winchester to Boston Logan International Airport is between 18 to 23 minutes, depending on the route you take.

Community Life in Winchester

The Jenks Center

The Jenks Center offers recreational, educational, cultural, and social service programming for those aged 55 and above, with the intention of promoting meaning and healthy engagement within the Winchester community. In addition to health, nutrition, and social support services, they also provide the residents with transportation services.

Winchester Chamber of Commerce

The Winchester Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the business scene in the town of Winchester. Their group of members is an amalgamation of businesses, entrepreneurs, community members, and nonprofit groups.

Wright-Locke Farm

A community farm that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, the Wright-Locke Farm has certified-organic produce along with other items from local farms, seasonal volunteering opportunities, hiking trails, and also educational programs for kids as well as adults.

Kidstock

The Kidstock Creative Theater provides education to children through the unique form of performing arts. They organize birthday parties, summer camps, classes, and enrichment programs.

Top Attractions to Visit in Winchester

The Splash Park at Borggaard Beach

Have a fun day at the beach and take your kids out for a wonderful, sunny day at the park. Swim, play, and enjoy some delicious local produce.

Griffin Museum of Photography

Lovers of culture and photography will thoroughly enjoy the programs, exhibitions, and lectures held at the Griffin Museum of Photography. It is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the art of photography.

Next Door Theater

Do you enjoy the art of theater? If so, then you can spend your days enjoying the shows put up at the Next Door Theater.

Davidson Park

Enjoy a lovely walk around Davidson Park and drink in Winchester’s sunny summers with your friends, family, or partner.

Places of Worship in Winchester

The following are some of the places of worship in Winchester, MA:

Temple Shir Tikvah

34 Vine St, Winchester, MA 01890
Contact: +1781-729-1263

Saint Eulalia Parish

50 Ridge St, Winchester, MA 01890
Contact: +1781-729-8220

Parish of the Epiphany

70 Church St, Winchester, MA 01890
Contact: +1781-729-1922

Winchester Unitarian Society

478 Main St, Winchester, MA 01890
Contact: +1781-729-0949

First Congregational Church in Winchester, UCC

21 Church St, Winchester, MA 01890
Contact: +1781-729-9180

Best Places to Eat in Winchester

There are a wide variety of dining options available in Winchester, whether you are looking to eat at a restaurant or even order in. As per TripAdvisor, some of the best restaurants to try out in Winchester are as follows:

- D'agostino's Delicatessen
- Black Horse Tavern
- Swanton Street Diner
- Andrea's Pizza
- Mamadou's Artisan Bakery
- The Gingerbread Construction Company
- China Sky
- Mitho Restaurant
- A Tavola
- Eleni's Mediterranean Grille

Comparison to Neighboring Towns

Click here to compare Winchester MA to Woburn MA.

Click here to compare Winchester MA to Lexington MA.

Click here to compare Winchester MA to Arlington MA.

Compare all the towns together by clicking here .

Is Winchester a Good Place to Live In?

If you’re looking for a place near Boston that provides a competent school system, safe neighborhoods, and multiple fun attractions, Winchester is a great option to go for. We hope our extensive and comprehensive blog post provides you with all the information you need regarding Winchester, MA.

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FAQs About Winchester

Q: How does Winchester’s median home value and median household income compare to the national average?

A: The median home value of Winchester, MA is $1,199,435, thereby coming 76% above the national average of $280,600 and falling 2% below Lexington, MA. The median household income of the town is $169,623, being $62% lower than the national average.

Q: What is the difference between the Council on Aging (COA) and the Winchester Seniors Association (WSA)?

A: The COA is a public not-for-profit, town-appointed board that makes use of professional staff members to provide health services, social services, education, and advocacy for the senior residents of Winchester.

The WSA is a private not-for-profit organization that aids in maintaining the Jenks Senior Center. They plan all the activities and travel associated with the Jenks Center.

Q: What is the Motor Excise Tax associated with Winchester, MA?

A: The excise imposed for the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or trailer on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is what the Motor Excise Tax is all about.

Q: Are there any parking bans in Winchester I should know about?

A: The public streets in Winchester have no parking between 1 am to 7 pm for over an hour. This ban is applicable all year round.

Q: When is a building permit needed in Winchester?

A: A building permit is needed for the construction, alteration, or demolition of a structure or in order to install a sign. Obtain the building permit before the work begins and make sure it gets posted at the job site.