Leominster ranks seventh on Realtor.com's hottest ZIP codes list

If you’re headed to Leominster, MA, hopefully you like apples.

The ZIP code that ranked seventh on the Realtor.com® Hottest ZIP Codes in America list—01453—is the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed, the legendary man who introduced apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and beyond.

As a result, many activities here are apple-related: apple picking, sipping apple cider, and enjoying a slice of hot apple pie.

The city even owns a 169-acre apple orchard and farm.

It’s these kinds of charming touches that give this city of around 43,000 people such a small-town feel.

Here’s everything you need to know about this endearing enclave and why it’s the apple of so many eyes.

Sholan Farms is a 169-acre orchard and farm owned by the city of Leominster, in Massachusetts.(Courtesy of livinginleominster.com)

Location

Perhaps Leominster’s biggest draw is its proximity to Boston, which is only about an hour away.

In June, Boston’s median home price was $969,700, and Leominster’s was $450,000. That’s an astronomical $519,700 difference, making Leominster a much more economical choice for Boston commuters to call home. In fact, more and more Bostonians are checking out properties there.

Leominster homes attracted 4.2 times as many views per listing from January through June 2024 compared with the U.S. median. ZIP 01453 drew “more than two-thirds of listing viewership from outside the metro area," says Realtor.com® senior economic analyst Hannah Jones. "Boston led out-of-metro viewership.”

With all those eyeballs, houses in Leominster only stay on the market 21 days before they sell—which is 32 fewer days than the national average. “Multiple offers are still quite common,” says Sarah Schouler from Lamacchia Realty in Leominster. “The vast majority of homes sell at or above the original list price.”

The hottest ZIP codes list was compiled by analyzing housing market supply and demand using Realtor.com listing data from January to June 2023. The economic research team assessed the number of views each listing received and how quickly homes were sold. The list was limited to just one ZIP code per metropolitan area to keep things competitive.

Community

There’s a strong sense of community in Leominster. The town's mayor Dean Mazzarella has been serving since 1994—the longest currently serving mayor in Massachusetts—and owns Main Street Gift & Cafe downtown where he knows most locals by name.

Funky Phoenix Used Bicycle Repairs and Sales fixes up and gives away bicycles to neighborhood children in need.

The Drake House at 21 Franklin St., listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an Underground Railroad stop during the Civil War celebrates Jonathan and Frances Drake for helping their fellow man.

History

Leominster was incorporated as a town in 1740 after being named after Leominster in England. Initially known for comb manufacturing during the late 1700s to early 1800s it later became famous for plastics earning itself nicknames like "Plastics Pioneer City" thanks largely due Tupperware originating here alongside iconic pink flamingo lawn ornaments too!

Nature lovers can explore Doyle Community Park's trails spanning over three miles within its serene wooded setting while mountain biking rock climbing fishing await adventurers visiting nearby state forest areas such as Hampton Beach NH recognized globally among beautiful beaches per Forbes magazine

Ready To Explore Homes? Check Out Recent Listings:

6 Academy Rd priced at $485k featuring three bedrooms along with one-and-half bathrooms across approximately two thousand square feet.

991 Main St offered at nearly four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars showcases charming ranch style built back mid-1950s having significant curb appeal.

71 Dewey Ave available under four hundred grand includes finished basement sauna inside three-bedroom two-bathroom residence