Norton Center
Neighborhood in Norton, Massachusetts
Bristol County 02766
In-demand lakefront homes on the Norton Reservoir
Stately Colonial Revivals and charming Cape Cods from the early 20th century cluster in the heart of town around the Norton Common and Main Street. Most other houses are scattered across the area on large, wooded lots sheltered from central thoroughfares, with high-demand properties on the waterfront of the Norton Reservoir. Other classic New England home styles, such as Dutch Colonials and two-story cottages, mingle with 1970s ranch-style and bi-level houses, with some spacious new-construction homes blending Colonial Revival and New Traditional features. Homes on an acre or less of land tend to list between $465,000 and $885,000, while multi-acre lots push prices into the $625,000 to $1.8 million range. “If you’ve got kids and a family, you probably want a big backyard,” Johnson says. "And you can get that for a lot cheaper here than closer to Boston." Condos and townhouses are rare but are typically priced in the upper $300,000s.Local folklore at J.C. Solmonese Elementary
Students in Norton Center can attend Taunton Public Schools, with kindergarten through the third grade at J.C. Solmonese Elementary. The school is part of a local legend, in which a town judge, Maj. George Leonard, made a deal with the devil to trade his soul for riches. As the story goes, when the devil eventually came to collect, he left footprints on Leonard’s land — which later became the site of Solmonese Elementary. These footprints can still be seen today on a large rock in the school’s parking lot. Despite its somewhat eerie role in local folklore, Solmonese Elementary is well-rated and scores a B from Niche. Henri A. Yelle Elementary, which serves grades four through five, and Norton Middle both earn B-minus ratings. Norton High receives a B-plus and offers a career pathway for advanced manufacturing, which culminates in a capstone project.Wheaton College constitutes much of Norton Center, with the private liberal arts college originally founded in 1834 as a female seminary. Today, the coed institution enrolls roughly 1,650 undergraduate students annually. Stately academic buildings encircle Peacock Pond, with athletic fields flanking the campus on either side of Main Street. The Wheaton Lyons compete in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference, as well as Division III NCAA tournaments, with 12 women’s and 9 men’s teams.
Kayak at the Norton Reservoir or tee up at TPC Boston
Norton Center sits against the southern shores of the Norton Reservoir, which provides myriad opportunities for recreation. Boaters can launch from the public ramp or rent watercraft from Norton Kayak Co., with plentiful fishing that includes largemouth bass and panfish. Bald eagles and osprey make their nests in the trees surrounding the water. Rolling golf fairways are set on the fertile land near the reservoir, at Norton Country Club and TPC Boston. For after-school playdates and pickup tennis matches, Tricentennial Park is right outside of Norton Middle School. The fenced-in playground is a favorite among families, with equipment suited for young children and a Little Free Library. Norton Public Library is in the town center and offers a more robust catalog, plus clubs and events such as family story times, knitting circles and writers’ workshops.A cluster of cafes and breweries line Main Street near Wheaton College
To either side of Wheaton College is a small cluster of local restaurants along Main Street. Bog Iron Brewing is hard to miss thanks to its outdoor patio adorned by string lights and umbrella-covered tables, making it a favorite place to enjoy live music from local performers. Across the street is Wendell’s, a wood-paneled pub known for its wings and a laid-back vibe. Bagels & Cream provides a café atmosphere that invites folks to grab an egg sandwich to go or sit and stay awhile over a cup of coffee. A few other businesses are nearby, including convenience stores, banks, pharmacies and an Ace Hardware. Norton Center’s only grocer is the Produce Barn, though more comprehensive shopping can be found in Attleboro, Mansfield and Taunton.World-class acts rock the Xfinity Center
Just north of Norton Center, in the woods around the Norton Reservoir, is a concert venue with a big reputation: the Xfinity Center, formerly known as Great Woods. One of the largest amphitheaters of its kind in New England at the time of its opening in 1986, the venue has a capacity of 19,900 and draws in big-name acts thanks to its location directly between Boston and Providence. During its season from mid-May to late September, fans can catch shows from artists such as Post Malone, Noah Kahan and Shania Twain.Access to 495 makes for straightforward commutes
Both Attleboro and Mansfield are roughly 6 miles away, while Taunton is about 8 miles southeast. Massachusetts highways 140 and 123 pass through the center of town, with Interstate 495 connecting to Main Street a couple of miles northeast. “It’s an easy commute to Boston or Providence,” Johnson says, noting that Boston is 40 miles northeast and Providence is 20 miles southwest. “Cape Cod isn’t far either, which is where a lot of people go in the summertime to the beaches.” Though Norton is a car-dependent town, there are some Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority bus stops on major thoroughfares such as Main Street and Taunton Avenue. Some people also park and ride the commuter rail in Mansfield, operated by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Sue Pace-McComb
Responds QuicklyPace Real Estate, Inc.
(508) 682-5763
17 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$640,000 Price
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Helen Johnson
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate
(508) 417-1065
9 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$414,000 Price
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Todd Sandler
Todd A. Sandler REALTORS®
(781) 932-5295
110 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$850,000 Price
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Team Kelleher
Keller Williams Elite
(857) 271-4865
32 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$710,000 Price
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Esposito Group
Responds QuicklyeXp Realty
(781) 730-7558
158 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$480,000 Price
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BD
Braulio Diaz
Responds QuicklyThe Network
(401) 652-6314
181 Total Sales
1 in Norton Center
$1,880,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Norton Center | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 1 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
Robbery | 2 | 4 |
Burglary | 2 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Norton Center Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Norton Center, Norton sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Norton Center, Norton over the last 12 months is $700,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

Mansfield's small town center halfway between Boston and Providence

Peace, quiet and wooded lots on the western edge of Taunton

Ponds make for scenic waterfront living and ample recreation in northern Taunton

Large, wooded lots with an away-from-it-all feel on the cusp of Taunton

West Taunton suburb near a bustling industrial park

A neighborhood focused on moving forward without changing its character