Historical homes offer glimpses into different eras, architectural styles, and the lives of those who once called these houses “home.” While historical homes add character and charm to a city, they also come with their fair share of costs –– a unique insurance plan is a big one.
Older homes built at least 50 years ago often require specialized coverage due to outdated plumbing, wiring, and building materials. To ensure full protection, owners of these historical properties may need to consider high-value homeowners insurance or more robust coverage options.
In homage to preserving beautiful homes, Assurance IQ analyzed data from the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places to uncover which U.S. cities and states have the most registered historical homes. From humble cottages to Gilded Age mansions, see how your area stacks up when it comes to historical homes.
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U.S. Hotspots for Historical Homes
The cities with the most registered historical homes are as follows:
- New York, NY – 802 homes
- Portland, OR – 616 homes
- Philadelphia, PA – 608 homes
- St. Louis, MO – 454 homes
- Chicago, IL – 404 homes
Landing at the Number One spot on the list, New York City is renowned for its 5th Avenue Gilded Age mansions built in the late 1800s, dubbed “Millionaire’s Row.” While some of these glamorous historical homes have been torn down, many remain intact, and some are even up for sale. For example, the 11,638 square-foot James F. D. Lanier House is currently listed on Zillow for a cool $33 million.
Once our nation’s temporary capital, Philadelphia holds the third spot on our list with 616 registered historical homes. National attractions like the Betsy Ross House, Cliveden, and the Powel House are included in this tally. Historical homes in Philadelphia offer glimpses into the lives of founding fathers like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore lands the 10th spot on our list with 306 registered historical homes. Baltimore has a unique historical legacy tied to its maritime heritage. As a port city, Baltimore played a crucial role in trade and transportation during the country’s early years. Some of Baltimore’s historical homes are available for purchase in historic districts like Federal Hill and Fells Point.
The results of our study shift quite a bit when taking population size into account. The cities with the most registered historical homes per 100k residents are as follows:
- Sandusky, OH – 485.2 homes
- St. Augustine, FL – 289.9 homes
- Poughkeepsie, NY – 281.2 homes
- Ashland, OR – 277.2 homes
- Newport, RI – 275.5 homes
When looking at which cities have the most historical homes per 100k residents, Sandusky, OH, claims the top spot on our list with an impressive 485.2 historical homes. Situated along the shores of Lake Erie, this charming city is a hidden treasure trove of historical architecture. Sandusky illustrates the diverse styles that flourished throughout American history with well-preserved Victorian mansions as well as quaint cottages.
St. Augustine, FL comes in second with 289.9 historical homes per 100k residents. Steeped in Spanish and British influences, St. Augustine exhibits a distinctive charm that is easy to see in its historic homes and buildings, some of which have been standing since the early 1700s.
Newport, RI, often regarded as the epicenter of Gilded Age opulence, lands the fifth spot on our list, with 275.5 historical homes per 100k residents. This coastal gem was a favored summer destination for the country’s elite, including prominent families like the Vanderbilts and the Astors. Newport’s historic homes, such as The Breakers or Marble House, offer a peek into the extravagant lifestyles of the Gilded Age era.
The City With the Most Historical Homes in Every State
Curious to see which city is a hotbed for history in your state? Use the interactive table below to find out which city in each U.S. state has the most registered historical homes per 100k residents according to the National Register of Historic Places database.
States With the Most Historical Homes
The states with the most registered historical homes are as follows:
- New York – 6,416 homes
- Massachusetts – 4,462 homes
- Ohio – 4,180 homes
- Pennsylvania – 3,556 homes
- Kentucky – 3,488 homes
When zooming out and analyzing historical homes by state, New York state tops our list with an impressive 6,416 registered historical homes. From the iconic brownstones of New York City to the stately mansions along the Hudson River, New York offers a diverse array of historical homes that captivate residents and visitors alike.
Following closely behind is Massachusetts, boasting 4,462 historical homes. Massachusetts is a mecca for preserved homes that offer visitors a look into our nation’s early history, including colonial-era homes in historic towns like Boston, Plymouth, and Salem.
Known for more than bourbon and horse racing, Kentucky lands the fifth spot on our list with 3,488 registered historical homes. Iconic historical homes located in KY include the Jesse R. Zeigler House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), the Loudon House (one of the country’s best examples of Gothic Revival architecture), and the Mary Todd Lincoln House.
Closing Thoughts
Historical homes are more than just physical structures; they’re symbols of our nation’s collective history and tangible links to the past. While historical homes can involve specialized home insurance coverage and tighter HOA oversight, they also add character and diversity to our neighborhoods that new builds often lack. Whether you’re searching for coverage on an old or new home, Assurance IQ can help you find a home insurance policy that meets your needs and budget.
Methodology
To find which cities and states around the U.S. have the most historical homes, we analyzed data from the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places database. In each state, we found the cities with the highest number of registered historical homes. We then positioned historical home data against U.S. Census population size, to calculate the cities with the most historical homes per 100k residents. Only cities with population sizes of 10,000 or higher were included in the analysis.