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Dudley

Dudley

Located in Worcester County

$472,968 Average Value
$257 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Dudley is a historic town on the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line

Dudley, Massachusetts, was once the midway point for travelers from Boston to Hartford. During the Colonial era, folks parked their carriages at the Black Tavern, a historic inn that still stands today, and spent the night here on the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line. Into the 19th century, Dudley was known for its rolling farmland and textile mill along the Quinebaug River. While those industries have faded with time, the community about 20 miles southwest of Worcester maintains its rural feel with family-owned farmstands, acres of conservation land and houses on large, green lots. “This area is almost entirely rural,” says Mary-Jo Demick, a real estate agent with Aucoin Ryan Realty who has sold several homes in the area. “People who move here are looking for quiet. They want to be removed from the hustle and bustle.”

Dudley historic district dates back to a pre revolutionary settlement.
Dudley historic district dates back to a pre revolutionary settlement.
Visit the Black Tavern historic landmark in Dudley.
Visit the Black Tavern historic landmark in Dudley.
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Town history in Dudley Historic District

The Dudley Hill Historic District runs along Center Road. The district’s southern end is marked by Nichols College’s campus, and the northern end by the Village Cemetery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 200-acre hilltop hamlet is the site of Dudley Hills’s original Colonial-era settlement. Some notable buildings include the William Carter House, the oldest standing building in Dudley, where the town’s first meeting was held; Conant Memorial Church, a stately brick building built in 1890; Black Tavern, a Colonial-period inn that houses a historical society; and Dudley Grange, a fraternal organization that advocates for agriculture and rural America. Every September, Dudley Grange hosts the Apple Festival, where people can bob for apples, listen to live music or munch on caramel-covered honeycrisps.

The William Carter house is the oldest standing building in Dudley.
The William Carter house is the oldest standing building in Dudley.
The historic Nichols College calls the historic district of Dudley home.
The historic Nichols College calls the historic district of Dudley home.
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Ample outdoor recreation, from hiking to golfing

Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy acres of protected land in Dudley. The Tufts Branch Wildlife Sanctuary lies along Healy Road and the park’s 1-mile trail loops over boardwalk bridges and through catnip wildflower meadows. Wieloch Woods Sanctuary is known for its eastern pine tree groves and birdwatching decks, where folks might catch a glimpse of a red-bellied woodpecker. Hikers and bikers can access the Quinebaug River Valley Rail Trail. The trek has gravel, grass and paved routes, passing mature sweet birch trees and hydropower dams. The trail is still being expanded, and it will eventually stretch 11 miles. The river’s rocky shoreline has spots for anglers to catch rainbow trout, while boaters can launch a kayak from one of several ramps. For a summer day in the sun, residents can go to the sandy shoreline of Merino Pond at Dudley Beach off Lakeview Avenue. The body of fresh water is permitted for swimming, non-motorized boating and fishing. Located on the Nichols College campus, Dudley Hill Golf Club is another popular outdoor space. The 9-hole course, open to the public, features winding bluegrass fairways opened in 1926.

Dudley beach is a popular spot to enjoy the water.
Dudley beach is a popular spot to enjoy the water.
Dudley residents enjoy walks through Wheelock Woods.
Dudley residents enjoy walks through Wheelock Woods.
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Homes on large, secluded lots

Most properties in Dudley sit along narrow two-lane roads, where mature oaks and red maple trees dot grassy front lawns. Single-family homes are spread out from each other, with expanses of green space between them. “A lot of these houses will sell in less than a week because of the acreage,” Demick says. “Even if it's just an empty lot, every type of property sells fast.” Common styles include Colonial Revivals, Cape Cods, New Traditional and ranch-style homes. Center Road is lined with the town's oldest and most well-preserved late 19th-century houses, and restored gambrel farmhouses and Colonial Revivals sit on 2-acre lots. Some properties in Dudley back up to Merino Pond, giving residents private access to the water. Dudley’s median single-family home price is about $445,000; however, costs can depend on a property’s size, age and condition. Some townhouses and condos are also available, with prices from $180,000 to $380,000.

Colonial revival homes are popular throughout Dudley.
Colonial revival homes are popular throughout Dudley.
Cape homes are a beloved style throughout Dudley.
Cape homes are a beloved style throughout Dudley.
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Dudley-Charlton Regional School District and Nichols College

Students are zoned for the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District. They can attend Mason Road School for prekindergarten through first grade and Dudley Elementary for second through fourth grades. Mason Road School gets a B-plus grade from Niche, while Dudley Elementary scores a B. Next, they can attend Dudley Middle, which gets a B-minus and offers extracurriculars like Lego robotics. They can finish their public education at Shepherd Hill Regional High School, which earns a B from Niche. Shepherd Hill’s Career Pathways program offers certifications in global awareness, engineering, biomedicine and communication. The high school’s annual Fall Festival includes trunk-or-treat, pumpkin decoration, a petting zoo and more.



Nichols College, a private, four-year school with various programs for undergraduates and graduates, is in Dudley. The school is small, with just over 1,000 students, but the athletics program is robust, having won 28 conference championships since 2007.

Mason Road Elementry School in Dudley serves students in grades PK-1.
Mason Road Elementry School in Dudley serves students in grades PK-1.
Dudley Elementary School students enjoy a student teacher ratio of 13:1.
Dudley Elementary School students enjoy a student teacher ratio of 13:1.
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Local options along West Main Street, big-box shopping in nearby towns

West Main Street is the area’s main commercial corridor, lined with local businesses, from body shops to hair salons. Residents can head to Dunkin’ in the morning or opt for a local choice, like Sturbridge Coffee Roasters. Dudley House of Pizza is a popular lunch or dinner spot, serving thick-crust pies and hearty calzones, while Yummy’s is the community’s go-to for Chinese cuisine. Further up West Main sits the Dudley Plaza Shopping Center, which has a Park ‘N Shop grocery store, along with a Dollar Tree and a few other businesses. Farther out of town, Walnut Lane Farm spans 230 acres and sells grass-fed beef, raw milk and free-range eggs year-round.



“There isn’t a super busy downtown area here, so people have to drive outside of town for more shopping and eating options,” says Christi Smith, a Realtor with Hometown Realty who has sold several homes in the area. For a traditional New England downtown experience, with rows of Colonial- and Federal-style shops and restaurants tucked between historic churches, downtown Southbridge is about 7 miles west of the center of Dudley, and downtown Webster is about 3 miles east. Nationally known restaurants and retailers like Applebee’s and Walmart Supercenter are 13 miles away at The Center at Hobbs Brook. For hospital visits, UMass Memorial Health’s Harrington location is about 8 miles west.

Stop into the Dudley favorite, Yummy, for fantastic Chinese dishes.
Stop into the Dudley favorite, Yummy, for fantastic Chinese dishes.
Park 'n Shop provides Dudley residents with a wide selection of groceries.
Park 'n Shop provides Dudley residents with a wide selection of groceries.
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Getting around Dudley

The Webster-Dudley-Southbridge Shuttle runs along Main Street and travels through its namesake towns. Dudley is less than 10 miles from interstates 90, 84 and 395. Drivers can access other city centers, like Springfield or Worcester, in under an hour. “This is a commuter-heavy area,” Smith says. A 60-mile drive east leads to downtown Boston, and a 50-mile trip southwest ends in Hartford. For air travel, Worcester Regional Airport, a small domestic airport with limited flights, is about 20 miles north, while Boston Logan International Airport is about 60 miles east.

Adreanna DeMarino
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Colin Gee
Photography Contributed By
Colin Gee
Jarrod Bock
Video By
Jarrod Bock

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lori Lacey, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Dudley Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$569,950
Median Sale Price
$495,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$540,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
19
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$257

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,377
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1973
Months of Supply
1.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,757
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,280
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,053
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
770
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,344

Open Houses

  • Friday, Aug 1
    4:30 - 6pm

    11 Pineview Rd, Dudley, MA 01571

    $535,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,780 Sq Ft
    • 11 Pineview Rd
    • New 1 day ago

    Available immediately in an established subdivision. A well maintained home with a private back yard.This is an opportunity for a buyer to move in and begin making this their own home . An open floor plan was designed with a 24' front to back living room or combination living/dining room. A heated area off the back can be a small den or breakfast nook overlooking the back yard. The spacious

    Jo-Ann Szymczak RE/MAX Vision

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  • Saturday, Aug 2
    11am - 12:30pm

    95 Charlton Rd, Dudley, MA 01571

    $675,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,484 Sq Ft
    • 95 Charlton Rd
    • New 6 days ago

    This impressive 2,400+ sq ft Gambrel-style home offers 4 beds, 2 full baths, & a media room, all nestled on a stunning flat lot with a heated above-ground pool. The kitchen features granite counters & tile flooring, flowing into an oversized LR and mudroom. Energy-efficient heating & cooling include heat pumps, hot water baseboard, central air, a pellet stove, & a pellet furnace for year-round

    Jared Meehan RE/MAX Bell Park Realty

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  • Thursday, Jul 31
    4:30 - 7pm

    368 Dudley Oxford Rd, Dudley, MA 01571

    $739,999

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,959 Sq Ft
    • 368 Dudley Oxford Rd
    • New 18 days ago

    Motivated seller offering the perfect blend of classic charm and modern comfort. Welcome to this beautiful Colonial-style home! Nestled on two private acres, this spacious residence features four bedrooms and three full bathrooms, ideal for growing families or those who love to entertain.Inside, you'll find an open-concept layout with a large living room perfect for family gatherings. The kitchen

    Mayra Machicote Property Investors & Advisors, LLC

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Dudley Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
11,912
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,619
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$98,458

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.5%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
29.5%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.1%
% Population in Labor Force
68.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
48''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

10 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

1 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

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.
Dudley