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New Braintree

New Braintree

Rural Neighborhood in Massachusetts

Worcester County 01531

$474,799 Average Value
$280 Average Price per Sq Ft

Idyllic New England autumns

In the rural village of New Braintree, idyllic New England autumns are an essential part of life. Apples and Christmas trees grow, cider doughnuts tempt hungry neighbors and farmers sell eggs from a wooden covered stand on the side of the road in this pastoral village. With a population of about 1,000, New Braintree was known for dairy farming, shoe making and blacksmithing in the 19th century and maintains a handful of agricultural businesses today. People here embrace the land. They hike through forested areas, ride their bikes on the rail trail and purchase produce from local farms. “New Braintree is a very small, rural farming community,” says Keith McGuirk, a retired Realtor and chair of the Economic Development Industrial Corporation in nearby Athol. “The state police department has a dispatch center there.”

The rolling hills rise above the Ware River in New Braintree.
The rolling hills rise above the Ware River in New Braintree.
New Braintree and the surrounding areas offer room for agriculture and markets.
New Braintree and the surrounding areas offer room for agriculture and markets.
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A grand colonial home in New Braintree offers plenty of room for a large family.
A grand colonial home in New Braintree offers plenty of room for a large family.

A Colonial house in Central Mass

Houses in New Braintree look touched by nature. Colonials and multifamily homes built in 1920 behind white picket fences and farmhouses on acres of pastoral land are typical. Ranch-style houses, split-levels with well-kept shrubbery and colonials with rolling front lawns sit near each other on long, remote country roads. Prices range from about $287,000 to $759,000.

A round of golf is the perfect afternoon for some New Braintree golfers.
A round of golf is the perfect afternoon for some New Braintree golfers.

The woods at Winimusset

People hike through the woods at the Winimusset Wildlife Management Area and practice their swings at the Hardwick Crossing Country Club, which sits along the Ware River. The club has an 18-hole golf course, and neighbors can purchase yearly memberships. The Mass Central Rail Trail cuts through town and stretches along a portion of the Ware River. Peaches, eggs and seasonal garden vegetables are for sale at Finally Home Farm, and Farmer Matt breeds Angus cows and calves on hundreds of acres. Neighbors can join Heavens Harvest Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program and get ten weeks of organic produce. Farmers can pick up supplies and feed for their animals at the Hardwick Farmers’ Co-op Exchange.

From the Whistle Stop to Kip’s Christmas Tree Farm

New Braintree has no restaurants or grocery stores, but dining and shopping options are nearby. In Hardwick, in a small red brick building, the Whistle Stop Restaurant serves coffee, eggs and pancakes until 2 p.m. daily. Northeast Pizza serves mozzarella sticks, pasta and pizza from a stucco structure 7 miles south in West Brookfield. Grocer Hannaford is 5 miles south in North Brookfield. During the holidays, everyone gets their Christmas tree at Kip’s Christmas Tree Farm, which sells wreaths and roping for festive decorating.

Many orchards and orchard stores serve the New Braintree community.
Many orchards and orchard stores serve the New Braintree community.
New Braintree farmers sell their wares at the Hardwick Farmer's Co-op Exchange.
New Braintree farmers sell their wares at the Hardwick Farmer's Co-op Exchange.
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New Braintree students at Quabbin Regional Middle School practice soccer on the large field.
New Braintree students at Quabbin Regional Middle School practice soccer on the large field.

Quabbin regional school district

New Braintree falls within the Quabbin Regional School District with other rural towns like Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston and Oakham. Kids can attend Oakham Center School, rated B-minus by Niche, for elementary school. They then move to Quabbin Regional Middle School, which scores a B-minus, and graduate from Quabbin Regional High School, which earns a B.

From the middle of nowhere to the Mass Turnpike

A state-of-the-art law enforcement training facility, the Massachusetts State Police Academy, sits within New Braintree. UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is 13 miles away. Route 67 runs south to Warren, and drivers can take Route 19 to the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The tiny New Braintree library

At the New Braintree Public Library, small children can attend preschool story time with their parents, adults can join the knitting club and the community participates in Friends of the Library events like book sales.

Laura Finaldi
Written By
Laura Finaldi
Eric Lynch
Photography Contributed By
Eric Lynch
Barry Ridgeway
Video By
Barry Ridgeway

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

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime New Braintree US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$490,000
Median Single Family Price
$490,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$280
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median List Price
$490,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
41%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
356
Median Year Built
1985
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,885
On par with the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,760
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
221,720

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
956
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$90,892
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$109,817

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
88.1%
College Graduates
33.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.4%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
45''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

16 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

10 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.