$354,281Average Value$247Average Price per Sq Ft26Homes For Sale
Starrett Tools is the largest employer in Athol, MA.
Still making things in Massachusetts
Athol is the rare mill town where manufacturing persevered into the digital age. This hilly, rustic village in the Quabbin Valley of Massachusetts is home to precision tool maker L. S. Starrett Company, which started operations at its massive brick mill on the Millers River in 1880. Starrett’s perseverance is a source of pride for Athol. “That’s the world headquarters of Starrett,” says Keith McGuirk, a now-retired Realtor and Athol native who sold houses in the area for 25 years. “They don’t employ as many people as they used to, but they’re still the town’s largest employer.” The town maintains a rural, old New England feel with its 19th-century farmhouses, industrial-age downtown, ample acreage and streetscapes lined with leafy deciduous trees.
Queen Anne style homes are available in Athol.
Aging colonials and New England farmhouses
Houses in Athol came online in the 19th- and 20th centuries, but new construction is underway. Rustic wooden houses built in the late 1900s show their age, with fading wooden porches and red siding that lost its brightness. Multifamily homes with shuttered windows, farmhouses on several acres, lakefront properties and early 20th-century colonials on sloped streets near downtown are typical. Home prices range between $132,000 and $585,500. The average home value is $290,487.
Athol was officially incorporated in 1762.
Turn-of-the-century downtown Athol
Downtown Athol came online around the same time Starrett began operations. The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad provided direct service between Athol and Boston. Downtown features Italianate, Victorian and Second Empire structures built around the turn of the 20th century. Today, accounting offices, insurance businesses and pizzerias use the first floors of these century-old brick buildings. Athol House of Pizza Restaurant makes pies with homemade dough and sauce daily. After work, people head to the bar at Los Agaves Grill and order fajitas and margaritas. And in a nondescript brown building with two blinking Bud Light signs is Olde Tyme New England Seafood Company, a low-key eatery known for its large portion sizes of clam strips and fried shrimp. Neighbors catch the latest releases in town at Athol Cinemas 8.
The Athol-Royalston school to career pipeline
Kids in Athol can attend public school through the Athol-Royalston Regional School District, which serves about 1,700 students. The district has four schools. Children in Athol can attend Athol Community Elementary School, rated C by Niche. They then move to Athol-Royalston Middle School, which scores a C-minus, and Athol High School, which earns a C. Athol students can participate in Innovation Career Pathways, where kids can take post-secondary courses to gain industry credentials for free in fields like manufacturing and health care.
Athol is 70 miles west of Boston.
Nature and street hockey in North Central Mass
North Central Massachusetts is known for its hills, forests spanning thousands of acres and wide-open vistas, prime for viewing fall foliage. In Athol, neighbors stroll along a nature trail and launch their canoes into the river at Alan E. Rich Environmental Park, a conservation area in the center of town. Boaters and fishermen also use the 88-acre Lake Ellis, which has a sandy beach staffed by town lifeguards in the summertime. Neighbors come together to play hockey at the 202 Street Hockey Association. Hockey is huge in Massachusetts. People love the Boston Bruins, and nearby Worcester has the Worcester Railers, a minor league team.
Athol House of Pizza serves gourmet pizza.
All the essentials and Athol Hospital
Grocery chains Market Basket and Hannaford have locations in Athol. Walmart Supercenter is in Orange, about 4 miles west of the center of town. People buy clothing at Marshalls, dog and cat food at Pet Supplies Plus and miscellaneous goods at Hobby Lobby. Quick-service chains like Taco Bell, Dunkin and Starbucks are next to Hobby Lobby, in a retail plaza McGuirk says was built in the 2010s. “The state moves westward due to increasing real estate values primarily, but people can find much better deals out here,” he says. “With that higher population and increase in commuters, there was an impetus for retailers to open here. That customer base didn’t exist 20-30 years ago.” Athol also has its own hospital, Athol Hospital, part of Gardner-based Heywood Healthcare.
Road and train access to New England
Athol sits along Massachusetts Route 2, a major east-west thoroughfare that goes west to Williamstown and east to Cambridge. The town sits about 10 miles south of the New Hampshire border, 44 miles north of Springfield and 75 miles west of Boston. Amtrak service is available in Greenfield, about 26 miles west, and the route runs south through Springfield and ends in New Haven, Connecticut.
Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Perez Folds
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cory Gracie,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Athol, MA sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Athol, MA over the last 12 months is $340,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious and impressive Victorian has just undergone an extensive restoration and awaits new owner. Four bedrooms, two baths, Victorian feel remains with many impressive features, some built-ins and wood floors in most rooms. New kitchen has pantry, new appliances and is large enough to accommodate a dining area yet is adjacent to a large formal dining room! Completely new baths, complete
This charming, well-kept home on over 3 acres offers numerous thoughtful updates, including a renovated kitchen, freshly painted siding, solar panels, a partially finished basement, and permitted pellet stoves. Nestled against the woods and near Lake Tully’s recreation area, it provides a peaceful and scenic backdrop. The basement adds extra living space with potential for future expansion, while
Welcome to this beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bath home with a 2-car garage, perfectly situated on a spacious double corner lot in a quiet neighborhood. Step inside to an updated kitchen featuring granite countertops, brand-new stainless steel appliances, new cabinets, and a stylish tile backsplash. The home is enhanced with recessed lighting and new laminate flooring throughout. The first
Joseph PaolettiKeller Williams Realty North Central
This spacious home was thoughtfully gutted & renovated just two years ago. Offering peace of mind with finishes, systems, and mechanicals that are all essentially new. Central Air adds year round comfort, making this home as functional as it is inviting. The first floor features a convenient laundry room and spacious kitchen designed for every day living and easy entertaining. With four bedrooms
Thinking of building - Here is a wonderful opportunity to build your dream home on this beautiful 15.6 acre lot, perfectly set in a peaceful FIELD setting. Perk testing is complete, and zoning allows for either a single-family home or a duplex. This is an excellent opportunity for multi-generational living. With plenty of open space, it could also be ideal for a horse property or small farm.
This beautiful Colonial sits on 1 acre in highly desirable location. Kitchen features tile flooring, high ceilings, abundant cabinetry w/a built-in Lazy Susan, a center island w/cooktop, & double sink framed by large vertical windows overlooking backyard. First floor includes a 1/2 bath, while second floor offers full bath w/built-ins. Spacious dining room w/hardwood floors open into a large
Imagine coming home to peaceful, sun-filled living with easy commute and low-maintenance comfort for more time to simply enjoy life. This inviting home offers both—roughly 0.8 miles from Rt 2 and 3.5 miles from North Quabbin Marketplace. A lovely yard adorned with mature trees, and fields across the street will greet you. Envision summer barbecues, quiet mornings with coffee, or evenings
BACK ON THE MARKET DUE TO BUYER'S FINANCING !! Discover modern comfort and convenience in this beautiful brand-new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home! Step inside to an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area filled with natural sunlight—perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The spacious kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, and direct access
ATTENTION INVESTORS & DEVELOPERS......A fantastic opportunity awaits! Seller has secured an Approved Open Space Subdivision Plan for 8 single-family homes, offering a streamlined path to development. Approved for 8 Homes ...Utilities for each home site is designed with public sewer connection and private water. This Open Space Subdivision is a thoughtful design concept that maximizes neighborhood
Exceptional 3-Lot Subdivision Opportunity in Athol – Ready for Development This prime 8.6-acre parcel features a seller-approved subdivision into three spacious lots (1.28, 3.25, and 2.93 acres). Recent site work includes a newly cleared tree area and a freshly installed stone driveway, providing easy access for equipment and builders.-Turnkey Infrastructure: Electric is available at the street.
Over the past two years, this home has been updated with a new roof, new boiler, new hot water heater, all new flooring, and a new tub/shower. The kitchen has been renovated with new cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, There is also a new deck just off the back.The first floor features a living room, eat-in kitchen, bedroom, and a full bath. Upstairs, you’ll find two
** Buyer's Financing Fell Through *** Beautifully Remodeled Ranch! This home has been taken down to the studs and rebuilt with modern comfort in mind—featuring blown-in insulation, new windows, new sheetrock, brand-new flooring, and a fully updated kitchen.. A spacious 22’ x 23’ partially finished basement offers excellent additional living space. Major upgrades include a brand-new septic system,
Welcome to Locke Ave — a lovingly maintained ranch home set on a spacious corner lot with a fully fenced yard and an inviting in-ground pool. Owned by the same family since it was built, this property carries decades of care and pride, offering a solid foundation for its next owners to make it their own. Step inside to find a generous eat-in kitchen with room for a breakfast table, leading into a
Country Colonial........Treated With Kindness, This Nearly New Home Is Ready For You! Sited On Just Over One Acre Of Scenic Nature Outside, You'll Find Inviting Spaces Inside. White Shaker Cabinet Kitchen, Center Island With Seating And Granite Counters, Plus All Stainless Steel Appliances. Breakfast Area With Access To The Rear Deck. Open Concept Living Room and Dining Room Lends To Flexible
Tucked away at the end of a quiet dead-end street in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in town, this inviting 3-bedroom home offers a sense of privacy & charm, along with the bonus of a *new roof*. Enter inside to find beautiful hardwood floors throughout most of the main level & carried through all 3 bedrooms. The spacious living room is filled with natural light from large bay windows
Welcome to your dream duplex in the heart of Athol! This spacious 6-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers an incredible 3,248 square feet of living space, perfect for those seeking room to grow or entertain. With a blend of comfort and convenience, this property is ready to welcome you home.Key features that make this duplex stand out include:- Washer and dryer for your laundry needs-
Beautifully renovated first-floor apartment home! Available for immediate occupancy, this spacious 4-bedroom unit offers generously sized bedrooms throughout—perfect for families needing room to spread out. The thoughtfully designed layout includes a full bathroom conveniently accessible from two rooms, plus an additional half bath on the opposite end of the apartment for added comfort and ease.
Spacious three bedroom apartment on 2nd floor. Many updates throughout and ready for your move-in. Washer/Dryer hookups in unit. Tenant pays heat and electric. Water/sewer & trash are included in rent. First month and security for move-in. Monthly gross income should be 3X rent. Small pets considered.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
