The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 01516 sells for about $465,000, or $265 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 28 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,503 a month.
ZIP 01516 — Douglas
The housing market in 01516 remains stable with low inventory and consistent demand from family buyers. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, reflecting the area's appeal as a quiet, high-income residential enclave. While the pace of sales has slowed slightly compared to the peak, the market remains competitive for well-priced properties.
This ZIP is ideal for families and professionals seeking a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle with high educational quality, while still maintaining access to the broader Worcester employment market.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 28 days on market with 3.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 99.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.3% · poverty 4.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 01516, Worcester County, MA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Douglas reports crime rates significantly lower than the Massachusetts and national averages, maintaining a reputation as a safe, quiet residential community.
The Douglas Public Schools district is generally well-regarded, with schools consistently meeting state accountability standards and providing a stable educational environment for local families.
The area faces moderate risks related to winter weather and seasonal flooding in low-lying areas near the Mumford River, with standard insurance requirements for homeowners.
Economic momentum is driven by its proximity to the Worcester employment core and a high concentration of residents employed in professional, scientific, and technical services.
Property taxes are assessed by the Town of Douglas based on a single-tax-rate system applied to all property classes, with local exemptions available for seniors and veterans.
Residents typically face a commute of approximately 33 minutes, relying on state routes like Route 16 to connect to major employment hubs in Worcester and the I-495 corridor.
The area is anchored by Douglas State Forest, which offers extensive hiking, swimming, and outdoor recreation, alongside local shopping and dining options in the town center.
The rental market is characterized by low vacancy rates and steady demand, with limited multi-family inventory and a small presence of short-term rentals.
The local economy is supported by a mix of local services and a high percentage of residents commuting to professional and technical roles in the greater Worcester and Boston metro areas.
Transportation is primarily automobile-dependent, with access to major regional highways via Route 16 and proximity to the MBTA commuter rail stations in neighboring towns.
Development is largely focused on low-density residential expansion and the preservation of open space, with limited large-scale commercial projects currently in the pipeline.
Parcels are subject to standard municipal property taxes and the Douglas Public Schools district, with no major MUD or PID districts reported.
Property insurance premiums are stable, though homeowners should account for standard New England hazard risks including winter storms and wind damage.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A large state-managed forest offering trails, swimming, and camping.
A popular destination for boating and fishing located on the border of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.