North Attleboro is a small Bristol County city in suburban Massachusetts, on the Rhode Island border less than 50 miles southwest of Boston. The area’s earliest European settlers named it “North Attleborough,” a spelling preserved when the town was incorporated in 1694. In 1914, North Attleboro became a city and dropped the “ugh” from its name. These days, the spellings are used interchangeably, but government entities tend to use “Attleborough” while many of the about 30,000 locals typically use “Attleboro.”
The city was once home to Jostens and Balfour, companies known for manufacturing class and sports championship rings. The two jewelry giants were major employers here until they moved operations out of North Attleboro in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. But the city remains linked to the jewelry industry. Metalor, the world’s largest gold refiner, opened a refinery in North Attleboro in 1984. The building underwent a two-story, 48,000-square-foot expansion in 2022. Other big employers located in the city’s central industrial park include Distron, 4 Sharp Corners, NeedleTech and Garlan Chain Company.
In North Attleboro, waterfront views are a prized feature for some lucky residents.
The "Welcome to Downtown Attleboro" sign greets you to a hub of historic charm.
Discover Westwood Estates in North Attleborough from this aerial perspective.
Watch the AMTRAK train pass by with this bird's eye view of North Attleboro.
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Steady housing market on par with the state
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) reports that between January and August 2024, 169 home sales closed in North Attleboro; 128 of those sales were single-family homes, while the remaining 41 were condos. MAR also reports that homes stayed on the market for 22 days during the same period. That’s 35% faster than the previous year, when the average number of days homes stayed on the market was 35. The median list price for single-family homes in North Attleboro is $641,500, which is $11,500 above the median for the state. The median sale price for condos here is lower than the median for the state, though, at $325,000 compared to $542,500. MAR data reflects that North Attleboro sellers tend to receive more than their asking price. Broadly, condos in communities such as Pace Ridge II, Hawthorne Village or The Residences on Falls Pond can go for between $200,000 and $250,000. Bungalows and ranch-style homes typically range between $300,000 and $450,000, while prices for larger Colonials, Queen Annes and Modern Transitional homes start at around $500,000 and can climb to $1.2 million.
Duplex homes are a sought after home style option in the vibrant city of North Attleboro.
Westwood Estates in North Attleborough is home to beautiful New Traditional designs.
North Attleboro's colonial homes stand out with their unique and charming design.
Discover the comfort of townhouses on Poppasquash Road in North Attleboro.
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North Attleboro Center and Emerald Square Mall
North Attleboro Center, the city’s historic downtown, is in the north-central part of town. The district, which joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, extends along North and East Washington streets, between Fisher Street and Bruce Avenue. It’s home to locally owned businesses such as Simply North Boutique, which specializes in women’s clothing and home décor, and Stitch New England, a one-stop shop for cross-stitchers and needle pointers. Beauty salons such as Mane Street Hair & Color Studio and Marisa’s Skin Care are nearby. The Dancers Drawer is a clothing boutique specializing in dance outfits. Striking Beauties Boxing, nearby on Church Street, is a women’s boxing/fitness gym.
The stretch of North Washington Street in front of Town Hall is overtaken by the North Attleborough Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings between June and October. The Downtown North Attleborough Block Party, an annual event since 2020, is usually held close to the same time as the last farmers market of the season. Streets between Town Hall and the library are closed to car traffic during the festivities, which involve kids’ activities, food vendors, live music and field-game competitions.
North Attleboro Center is the heart of the city’s food and nightlife scene, too. Cucina 38 is a locally owned eatery specializing in northern Italian fare. Down the street, Havana Café serves classic Cuban dishes. Home of Greek Yogurt is a bright, airy Greek yogurt bar that puts healthy, flavorful spins on the traditional dairy product. Angel Tree Brewery has a wide selection of craft ales, sours and seltzers. Near the north end of the district, the Route One Cinema-Pub eat-in movie theater offers a date night special on Wednesdays, when couples get two menu items of their choice and a carafe of wine or a pitcher of beer to enjoy while watching a new-release film.
The city’s original central business district, known as the Old Town Historic District, is southwest of North Attleboro Center. While structures from its earliest days are no longer standing, the preserved crossroads settlement does still feature the Town Powder House , built in 1768, and the First Congregational Church, built in 1827. Originally used as gun powder and ammunition storage during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the Town Powder House non-operational today, but serves as a historic landmark. First Congregational Church is now known as Oldtown Church, and holds weekly services on Sunday mornings.
Most of North Attleboro’s national chain retailers are clustered in the area surrounding the Emerald Square Mall, south of the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 295. The mall itself is anchored by Macy’s and JCPenney, and has a variety of clothing, jewelry and home décor stores. There’s a Patel Brothers grocery store nearby, along with a Target, a Lowe’s Home Improvement and a Walmart Supercenter.
Boston Pita serves up popular Mediterranean dishes in North Attleboro’s Emerald Square Mall.
Tex Barry's Coney Island Diner is a community staple, serving North Attleboro for generations.
In North Attleboro, a sculpture stands as a tribute to American heroes.
Patel Brothers Farmer's Market in North Attleborough offers a variety of Indian groceries.
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Inland Massachusetts beaches and veteran memorial parks
Though it’s not a coastal city, North Attleboro has two beaches. Whiting’s Beach is on the north end of town, at Whiting’s Pond, while Barbara Road Beach is on the south end, at Falls Pond. Both of the swimmable, boating-friendly waterfronts are private to North Attleboro residents; the passes required for vehicles to enter are available on the city’s Parks & Recreation Department website. They cost $25 per vehicle, or $5 per vehicle for North Attleboro seniors. World War I Memorial Park & Zoo is on the city’s northeast side. The expansive park has a ski slope and sledding hill, along with a petting zoo, disc golf course and playground. The lookout point near the main parking area is nearly 400 feet above sea level, the highest point in Bristol County. While its official name is Sunrise Hill, most locals refer to it as Watery Hill. Chemawa Golf Course, on the south end of North Attleboro, is an 18-hole public golf course in its second generation of family ownership. Rehoboth State Forest offers nearly 140 acres of woodland; the 1-mile looped trail has a spur that meanders through an Atlantic white cedar swamp. The state forest is about 12 miles southeast of the city.
Tee off with friends and relax at the scenic Chemawa Golf Course in North Attleboro, MA.
Visit the World War I Memorial Park and take in the beautiful views of North Attlebourgh.
Step on up to the North Lane Bowling if you think you have what it takes in North Attleboro.
Explore North Attleborough’s trails at Memorial Town Forest for outdoor adventures.
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North Attleborough Public Schools serve nearly 4,000 students
The North Attleborough Public Schools system earns a B-plus from Niche. According to 2024 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test results, most students met or partially met expectations for achievement levels in English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science. There are eight schools in the district, including the Early Learning Center, an integrated preschool providing special education services to kids with disabilities; tuition for peer students on the typical developmental curve is currently $250 per month. Students between kindergarten and fifth grade may attend one of the five elementary schools in the district, then continue to North Attleborough Middle and North Attleborough High. Both the middle and high school receive B-plus grades from Niche, too. The high school offers an Innovation Pathway program in manufacturing.
A. Irvin Studley Elementary in Attleboro is dedicated to nurturing academic excellence.
Take a look at the front of Hill Robert Elementary School from this alternate view in Attleboro.
North Attleborough Middle School's main entrance stands as a gateway to education.
North Attleboro High School has a respectable overall Niche score of B+.
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Commuting around the greater Attleboro area
U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 295 meet in a cloverleaf on the south side of North Attleboro. Route 1 runs north-south through town while I-295 runs east-west. I-295 connects east to Interstate 95, which heads northeast toward Boston. The nearly 45-mile drive to Massachusetts’s capital city takes about an hour in light traffic conditions. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority provides commuter rail service to Boston. Parking is available at the train stops in nearby South Attleboro and Attleboro. Commuting to Providence is faster; Rhode Island’s capital city is less than 20 miles southwest of North Attleboro, a drive that typically takes about 25 minutes via I-95. GARTA, or the Greater Attleboro & Taunton Regional Transit Authority, provides bus service throughout the wider Bristol County areas, connecting the cities of Attleboro and Taunton with surrounding small towns. Attleboro is home to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, the closest hospital to North Attleboro; it’s within 10 miles southeast of most homes in the city. Commonwealth Avenue is the main road that provides the most direct route between the town centers of North Attleboro and Attleboro. The 4-mile drive takes less than 15 minutes down the historic main road, which has been in use since the early 18th century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lower-than-Boston crime stats and minimal environmental risks
According to FBI crime statistics, 24 violent crimes and 420 property crimes were committed in North Attleboro in 2019. For comparison, the FBI reports that 4,244 violent crimes were committed in Boston that same year.
Excessive rainfall has, in the past, caused flood warnings to be issued in the North Attleboro neighborhood. Residents who are in runoff areas, particularly near Ten Mile River and Scotts Brook, are advised to check their sump pumps during heavy rains. Also, those living in North Attleboro Center may experience more traffic noise than those living in suburban sections or on the outskirts of town. Like most of New England, North Attleboro typically has snowy winters. The city usually begins sanding and salting public roads at or just before snowstorms start, and starts plowing operations as snow accumulates. The North Attleboro government website outlines best practices for snowy and icy conditions.
On average, homes in North Attleborough, MA sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in North Attleborough, MA over the last 12 months is $565,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nakema Arrington is a Boston Native who is very well-rounded, resourceful, extremely moral, open-minded, patient, and understanding.
As an agent who knows this area inside and out, she brings a wealth of knowledge on local communities, current market conditions, and more. She strives to make the real estate experience an exceptional one.
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.
