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Orange

Orange

Neighborhood in Massachusetts

Franklin County 01364

$312,584 Average Value
$214 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale

Millers River activity and community events abound in Orange

Bisected by Millers River, Orange is a western Massachusetts community offering ample outdoor activity and teeming with small-town charm. Locals canoe along the river year-round and spectate the springtime River Rat Race, which follows the 6-mile Blue Trail starting in Athol. “People come from out-of-town to watch the canoe race, and that’s true for most of our community events,” says Anthony Paoletti, a Realtor with Keller Williams and an Orange resident. “We have a solstice celebration, live music every Friday during the summer at Butterfield Park and a garlic festival; they’re all really unique.” Nature trails ascend Tully Mountain to the north, and Lake Mattawa has a public beach in the southernmost region. Mom-and-pop restaurants and retailers reside in former 19th-century factories along Main Street, and cities like Springfield and Worcester are a little over an hour away.

Orange is part of Franklin County in Western Massachusetts.
Orange is part of Franklin County in Western Massachusetts.
Orange is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
Orange is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
Orange has a variety of house styles.
Orange has a variety of house styles.
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Turn-of-the-century architecture, midcentury dwellings and Lake Mattawa cabins

Sidewalk-lined streets near Orange’s core brim with dwellings built throughout the late 1800s. Pastel-painted Queen Annes sit on unfenced, quarter-acre lots, and clapboard-façade Colonial Revivals often have five bedrooms. Farther from Main Street, asphalt driveways lead to carports alongside Cape Cod homes from the mid-1900s. Pine tree-shaded roads surrounding Lake Mattawa are dotted with shingle cabins and wood bungalows, backing up to small floating docks. “There’s not a lot of waterfront property, so these houses are more sought-after. They’re also usually passed down through generations of the same family,” says Paoletti, who owns a home on the lake. Buying in Orange typically costs between $200,000 and $450,000, a range similar to a Franklin County home’s average $350,000 selling price.

Most residents in Orange own their homes.
Most residents in Orange own their homes.
Manicured lawns are the norm in Orange.
Manicured lawns are the norm in Orange.
Ranch style homes are available in Orange.
Ranch style homes are available in Orange.
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Trek up Tully Mountain or relax on the public beach at Lake Mattawa

Though its 22 miles stretch across town, Tully Trail’s most notable route climbs the 1,163-foot-high peak up Tully Mountain. Tully Lake and its surrounding campground sit in the valley, where campers can paddleboat, swim off wooden docks and fish for largemouth bass. Every summer, camping chairs and beach towels dot the public beach at Lake Mattawa. Kayakers will find boat launches along both the northern and southern shoreline. “About 20 years ago, you could use an engine-powered boat on the lake. We even had a waterskiing competition every summer. But the city took that away to clear up the water, and it has worked,” says Paoletti. With toddler Lego workshops and adult knitting clubs, the Greek Revival-style Wheeler Memorial Library is another community hub in the area.

The median household income in Orange is $55,313.
The median household income in Orange is $55,313.
Orange is 72 miles northwest of Boston.
Orange is 72 miles northwest of Boston.
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From the River Rat Race to the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival

Trumpets and saxophones fill the air every summer Friday night at the Butterfield Park bandstand when the Orange Community Band performs. Blue herons soar over Orange Riverfront Park, which has an entry point for the Millers River Blue Trail, stretching between Orange and Athol. Every April since 1964, spectators have gathered along the adjacent Main Street bridge to watch the over 200 canoers finish the River Rat Race here. Boats lit by string lights travel down the waterway as fire breathers and magicians perform along the shore for the Orange Solstice Riverfest. New Year's Eve is celebrated with Starry Starry Night, an event spread across downtown Orange. Jazz musicians play in Town Hall, and ice sculptures adorn Memorial Park, where locals can enjoy the fireworks show. Dubbed “the festival that stinks,” the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival includes live cooking classes, country music acts and a raw garlic-eating competition every September at the former farmland along Chestnut Hill Road.

Youth and Community Services is a non-profit agency that has been serving youth in Orange.
Youth and Community Services is a non-profit agency that has been serving youth in Orange.
Pizza Factory is a beloved order at the counter chain located in Orange, MA.
Pizza Factory is a beloved order at the counter chain located in Orange, MA.
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Orange Public Schools

Children here can attend prekindergarten through sixth grade at Fisher Hill School, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche, and then continue to C-plus-graded Ralph C. Mahar Regional School for seventh through 12th grade. High school students can join numerous extracurriculars like the canoe and kayak club or the fish and game club, which both meet along Millers River.

Orange’s Main Street has local grocery stores, breakfast spots and breweries

Off Main Street, Quabbin Harvest sells regionally sourced produce, and nearby Walmart Supercenter is a big-box grocery option. Locals grab hiking gear at Trail Head Outfitters, while LillyBelle offers antique furniture inside a former church. Shelves stocked with boardgames and chalkboards marked with daily pastry options line the wood walls at Corner Café, a cozy breakfast nook at the heart of town. Honest Weight is a brewery tasting room in a renovated 1890s tapioca pudding factory. Berry bushes and apple orchards sit behind the mint-colored Colonial Revival-style storefront of Home Fruit Wine. Other shopping options, like Hobby Lobby and Market Basket, are about 6 miles east of Athol, home to the nearest hospital, Athol Hospital.

Orange offers residents a sparse suburban feel.
Orange offers residents a sparse suburban feel.

Skydiving lessons at the Orange Municipal Airport and proximity to other Massachusetts metropolitans

Though it’s mainly used for charter planes and pilots in training, Orange Municipal Airport also houses Jumptown, a skydiving training facility, which has been here since 1964. The nearest commercial flights are at the Worcester Regional Airport, about 40 miles southeast via Massachusetts Route 122. An equidistant drive southwest on U.S. Route 202 leads to Springfield. The New Hampshire border is roughly 16 miles north, and Boston is about 80 miles east. A few Montachusett Regional Transit Authority bus stops are along Main Street.

Meghan Baker
Written By
Meghan Baker
Matt Barrett
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Mark Tilley
Video By
Mark Tilley

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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Robert Smith, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Worcester Regional

70 min drive

Bus

E River St & Pinecrest Apts

Bus

E River St & Leisure Woods

Bus

E River St & Colonial Acres Apts

Bus

Orange Center

Bus

Orange Innovation Center

Bus

E River St & Orange Food Pantry

Bus

West River Health Center

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Orange US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$295,000
Median Single Family Price
$311,500
Median Townhouse Price
$399,900
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$293,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$214
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
80
Months of Supply
1.30
Median List Price
$300,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,379
Median Year Built
1954
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,512
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,341
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,484
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,344

Open Houses

  • Saturday, May 3
    10 - 11:30am

    78-80 High St, Orange, MA 01364

    $299,900

    • 6 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,992 Sq Ft
    • 78-80 High St

    Immediate Occupancy Available. This efficient side-by-side multi-family home offers a fantastic opportunity for both owner-occupants and investors alike! 2 spacious units, each with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, separate heating and electric for each unit. Each unit features a comfortable layout with bedrooms on the 2nd floor and ample storage. Situated on a quiet dead-end street, yet close to stores,

    Agent Photo
    Hometown Team
    (351) 333-4832
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  • Sunday, May 11
    12 - 1:30pm

    32 Gay St, Orange, MA 01364

    $439,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,897 Sq Ft
    • 32 Gay St
    • New 1 day ago

    Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath multi-level ranch nestled on a generous 0.92-acre lot. This home offers the perfect blend of space, functionality, and modern updates. The open-concept main level features an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, and gleaming hardwood and new laminate flooring throughout. Upstairs, you’ll find 3 spacious bedrooms

    Joseph Paoletti Keller Williams Realty North Central

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  • Saturday, May 3
    11am - 1pm

    326 W River St, Orange, MA 01364

    $382,500

    • 5 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,016 Sq Ft
    • 326 W River St
    • New 3 days ago

    Get ready for a beautiful summer in this spacious 5BR/3BA home on 1.2 peaceful acres! With 2,016 sq ft of living space and a large 2-car garage, there is room for everything. Originally built as a ranch, a second story was added around 2006 with 2 large bedrooms (one with a walk-in closet and full ensuite bath). The home has been updated with vinyl siding, roof (around 12 yrs old now) cabinetry,

    Tiffany Ordile Lamacchia Realty, Inc.

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Robert Smith, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
8,105
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.8%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$63,330
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,015

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.3%
College Graduates
18%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
44''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

13 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

3 / 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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Orange
Robert Smith
PREMIER SOTHEBY'S INTL REALTY
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