$344,771Average Value$226Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes 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 a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
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.
Manicured lawns are the norm 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.
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.
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.
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.
Written By
Meghan Baker
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Video By
Mark Tilley
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On average, homes in Orange, MA sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Orange, MA over the last 12 months is $345,390, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover an incredible opportunity in the heart of Downtown Orange! This classic 1950 Cape sits on 13+/- acres with town water and sewer—ready for your vision. The home offers solid construction, great bones, and timeless character, but needs cosmetic updates throughout. With a little creativity, each room can be transformed to reflect your style. The land offers endless potential for future
Over 27 acres with a fully approved plan to build 10 duplexes! This is your chance to step into a fully approved project and bring it to reality! Perc tests in hand as well as signed building plans/designs. Don't miss your opportunity at this great project!
Benjamin HauseKeller Williams Realty North Central
Set on a generous 1-acre lot, this 1993 ranch offers comfortable single-level living with a bright, open feel. Inside, you’ll find 5 rooms including 2 bedrooms and 1 full bath, with an open concept layout that seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas-ideal for everyday living and easy entertaining. The living room features vaulted ceilings that add a sense of space and natural
Donald MaillouxColdwell Banker Community REALTORS®
Come see this recently renovated 2-unit today! This is the perfect opportunity for investors or someone looking to live in one unit and rent the other to supplement their income! The 1st-floor features a large kitchen with granite counters, recessed lighting, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. 2 large bedrooms, a living room and a large full bathroom wrap up the 1st-floor. The
Parker RussellKeller Williams Realty North Central
New Construction split entry style home with three bedrooms, 2 baths and a 2 car garage. Features include an open concept floorplan with a cathedral ceiling in the main living area, large kitchen with a center island and dining area with outside deck, granite countertops, and a full bath off the main bedroom. The unfinished basement area has plenty of natural light and provides an opportunity to
Here’s your opportunity to bring your business vision to life! This standalone commercial building offers a prime setting to launch or expand your dream venture. With demolition already completed, the interior features a wide-open layout—providing a blank canvas ready for your custom build-out and design. Bring your ideas, your plans, and your toolbelt—this versatile space is ready to be
Discover an incredible opportunity. Now is your chance to own 6.14 acres on busy Route 2A in Orange, approximately 1 miles beyond the Athol town line.Great exposure for any type of business. A town-maintained fire hydrant is on the property's road frontage.
***CASH OR REHAB LOAN ONLY*** Generate your own equity while restoring a local historic treasure that is now back on the market. Once a neighborhood ice cream parlor known as "Willow Castle", this property would be the perfect abode for your next chapter. Historic features abound in this 4 bed, 2 bath single-family residence situated on 1.25 acres. Upon entering through the front door, an
Welcome to this delightful 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home located on East Main Street in Orange, offering both charm and convenience. This move-in ready property features beautiful hardwood floors, a bright sunroom, and a huge pantry—perfect for everyday living and storage.The home includes an attached two-car garage plus an additional metal garage spacious enough for two more vehicles, providing
For Sale: 4.92 Acres of Industrial-Zoned Land – Quabbin Blvd, Orange, MARare opportunity to acquire 4.92 acres of prime industrial-zoned land in Orange, MA. Zoned for industrial warehouse use (C), this site is ideal for development, storage, or light manufacturing.
This home is much bigger than it looks! Recently repainted, and some of the floors replaced. There is a very large living room. There are very large windows that face the south and let in lots of natural day light, in addition to sliders that go out to a deck overlooking a nice quiet back yard. There is a large laundry room on the main floor. Two entrances from the Main Street side, one that
Excellent Investment Opportunity! This well-maintained 8-unit property offers a total of 17 bedrooms across a strong mix of four 3BR units, one 2BR unit, and three 1BR units. Rents have been stabilized, and 2 of the 8 units are currently vacant, providing immediate upside for the next owner. All rents include hot water, and each tenant pays their heat and electric! The building is supported by a
This spacious one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1 Cheney St #2 in Orange offers a comfortable and functional living environment. The unit features vinyl flooring throughout, creating a clean and easy-to-maintain interior.The apartment includes washer and dryer hookups and one off-street parking space, providing added convenience for everyday living. The layout is well-designed to maximize
Come see this 2 bedroom unit today. Great 2nd-floor layout complete with a full bathroom, 2 good-sized bedrooms, a living room, dining room and 3-season porch. Fresh paint and new floors will be completed prior to move-in! Heat and hot water included!
Benjamin HauseKeller Williams Realty North Central
Property Id: 1703252Welcome to 39 W Main St in Orange, MA, a beautifully fully remodeled, offering 429 square feet of living space with 1 bedroom and 1 bathrooms with easy accessibility
Property Id: 2013465BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT RIGHT IN TOWN CENTER! HAS BEEN FRESHLY PAINTED AND NEW FLOORS. HIGH CEILINGS. NEXT TO CONVENIENCE STORES, GAS STATION, BUS STOP AND PUBLIC LIBRARYCOME AND GET IT!
Property Id: 2181281This beautifully renovated apartment offers two spacious bedrooms, each with its own closet, providing plenty of storage and comfort. The bright living room features a spectacular view and abundant natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The open kitchen comes equipped with brand-new stainless steel appliances, perfect for modern living. Additional
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