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Southbridge

Southbridge

Located in Worcester County

$386,477 Average Value
$237 Average Price per Sq Ft
20 Homes For Sale

The Eye of the Commonwealth has a bustling Main Street and a natural setting

Once home to the world's largest eyewear manufacturer in the late 1800s, Southbridge is a south central Massachusetts town still dubbed “The Eye of the Commonwealth.” The factory is now a hotel, but vintage sunglasses and optometry machines in the Optical Heritage Museum preserve the town’s history. Century-old churches and red-brick, Italianate-style bars and cafes line Main Street. Nature lovers can explore trails that wind through the town’s dense evergreen and hardwood forests.

Southbridge's calm suburban streets are just minutes from downtown.
Southbridge's calm suburban streets are just minutes from downtown.
Central Baptist Church is an architectural icon in Downtown Southbridge.
Central Baptist Church is an architectural icon in Downtown Southbridge.
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Southbridge has multi-families near Main Street and large lots on the outskirts

Sidewalk-lined streets closest to the town’s core brim with multi-family properties built throughout the early 1900s. “Main Street has grown so much within the last decade. Now, we’ve got people from Boston and Worcester buying the surrounding multi-families to renovate each unit,” says Mary-Jo Demick, a Realtor with Aucoin Realty and a Southbridge local. Farther from the city's center, three-bedroom Cape Cods from the 1950s rest on quarter-acre lots with backyards enclosed by white picket fences. 1980s contemporary dwellings on the outskirts of town dot parcels as large as 2 acres, shaded by forests of hemlock and white pine trees. The town's median housing price is around $330,000, on par for the region but lower than the national median.

Southbridge is home to a large number of multi-family homes.
Southbridge is home to a large number of multi-family homes.
A mixture of Cape Cods and Saltbox homes make for varied streetscapes in Southbridge.
A mixture of Cape Cods and Saltbox homes make for varied streetscapes in Southbridge.
Second Empire buildings still stand amongst Southbridge's unique mix of architectural styles.
Second Empire buildings still stand amongst Southbridge's unique mix of architectural styles.
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Several recreational options in Southbridge

Since 1934, Solair has been a go-to for New England nudists, where they can swim in the Olympic-sized pool or tan on the lake's sandy shoreline. Private hiking and biking trails don’t extend past the Cohasse Brook Reservoir in the town's southernmost region. Clapboard lakeside cabins are reserved for members, while RV parking spaces and wooden tent platforms are available to rent starting on Memorial Day Weekend. Hikers not in the buff can trek the mile-long loop at Thompson Family Forever Wild Preserve, filled with pre-colonial stone walls, towering maple trees and overgrown pastures. Designed in 1916 by Donald Ross, Cohasse Country Club has a 9-hole golf course stretching across hilly terrain and a namesake brook. At the Tri-community Family Branch YMCA, indoor amenities include a six-lane swimming pool, a fitness center and a rock climbing wall.

Morris Street Recreation area welcomes four-legged friends for playdates.
Morris Street Recreation area welcomes four-legged friends for playdates.
Thompson Family Preservation has 40 acres of protected land for hiking and wildlife observation.
Thompson Family Preservation has 40 acres of protected land for hiking and wildlife observation.
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A unique educational pipeline for Southbridge Public Schools

Children here can attend pre-kindergarten through first grade at Eastford Road Elementary, which has a C grade from Niche, and then continue to C-minus-rated Charlton Street School and D-plus-graded Southbridge Middle. Lastly, students may go to Southbridge High School, earning a C-minus grade. The Early College program offers educational pathways focused on fields like humanities, engineering and musical theater.

Eastford Road School serves Westville students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Eastford Road School serves Westville students from Pre-K through the 5th grade.
Southbridge Middle School.
Southbridge Middle School.
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Southbridge’s Main Street has quaint eateries, a local grocery store and Harrington Hospital

Vintage lampposts, American flags and locally owned eateries line Southbridge’s Main Street. Since 2006, residents have sat in Elm Centre Café’s red leather booths to eat reimagined breakfast classics like red velvet pancakes and burger eggs Benedict. String lights hang from the walls at The Metro Bistrot, a provincial French restaurant only open Thursday through Saturday. Down the street, Corner Pocket Café is a dive bar brimming with Red Sox and Celtics gear. Groceries are available at Big Bunny Market, a family owned option in the area since the early 1950s. Local produce farmers, beekeepers and bakers set up tents in the store’s parking lot every Saturday morning from Memorial Day until Colombus Day for the Southbridge Farmers Market. The thoroughfare is also home to UMass Memorial Harrington Hospital, which employs more than 1,500 people across south central Massachusetts. Nationally known retailers like Walmart and Marshalls are in The Center at Hobbs Brook, an open-air shopping center about 5 miles away on Charlton Road.

After having a bite at Honest Town Eats, enjoy its colorful art right outside with seating.
After having a bite at Honest Town Eats, enjoy its colorful art right outside with seating.
Central Pizza offers outdoor seating being an attraction for warm weather seasons.
Central Pizza offers outdoor seating being an attraction for warm weather seasons.
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Holiday parades down Main Street and optometry conferences at the Optical Heritage Museum

Led by the high school marching band, superheroes and ghosts walk along Main Street for the Horribles Parade every Halloween. Inflatable Christmas trees atop pick-up trucks drive down the same thoroughfare for the Holiday Visions Parade, which ends with a tree lighting at the Town Common. “We have a summer concert series at the Town Common. Everyone brings a camping chair to watch, and there are local food vendors,” says Demick. The white marble bricks, bronze double doors and 210-foot-tall bell tower have made Notre Dame Catholic Church, built in 1916, a fixture of Southbridge. In June, Mexican food vendors, French flags and face painters fill the parking lot for the church's annual International Festival. Eye doctors flock to Southbridge in November for the Opticians Association of Massachusetts annual conference at the Optical Heritage Museum, which has year-round exhibits on the evolution of sunglasses and eyewear in movies.

Downtown Southbridge view west bound.
Downtown Southbridge view west bound.

Under an hour to numerous northeastern cities

“We have lots of employment opportunities within Southbridge, like Hyde Manufacturing or Dexter-Russell, but we’re also a commuter-oriented town,” says Demick. While the nearby Southbridge Municipal Airport is a hub for charter planes and pilots in training, the Worcester Regional Airport has the nearest commercial flights. Worcester is about 20 miles northeast via Interstate 90, just 4 miles away, and 63 miles in the same direction leads to Boston. Hartford and Providence are also about an hour away. Several Worcester Regional Transit Authority bus stops line Main Street.

Hannah Rainey
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Jack Lourenco
Photography Contributed By
Jack Lourenco
Mark Barakat
Video By
Mark Barakat

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mary Hardiman, an experienced agent in this area.

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

Southbridge Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$349,166
Median Sale Price
$340,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$360,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$386,750
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$189,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
114
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$237

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,378
Number of Homes for Sale
20
Median Year Built
1959
Months of Supply
2.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,619
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,628
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
983
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
695
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
16,552

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 23
    Open Sun 12PM - 1:30PM

    79 Hamilton St, Southbridge, MA 01550

    $589,999

    • 8 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 4,000 Sq Ft
    • 79 Hamilton St
    • New 2 days ago

    Welcome to this fantastic investment opportunity in the heart of Southbridge! This professionally maintained 4-unit multi-family offers a total 4,000 square feet of living space and is ideal for both investors and owner-occupants alike. The building features a great mix of units, including one 1-bedroom, two 2-bedrooms, and one 3-bedroom, providing versatility for a variety of tenant needs. Each

    Kayla Holden Byrnes Real Estate Group LLC

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  • Saturday, Aug 23

    45 River St, Southbridge, MA 01550

    $849,900

    • 9 Beds
    • 6 Baths
    • 5,280 Sq Ft
    • 45 River St
    • New 2 days ago

    Six-unit multifamily in Southbridge, offering a strong mix of three 2-bedroom apartments and three 3-bedroom apartments. Five of the six units are currently occupied, with two units recently updated. A new rubber roof was installed one month ago, ensuring reduced maintenance concerns for years to come. The property features spacious layouts and a convenient location near shops, schools, and major

    Devin Brown Byrnes Real Estate Group LLC

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  • Saturday, Aug 23

    91 Everett St, Southbridge, MA 01550

    $439,900

    • 5 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 3,100 Sq Ft
    • 91 Everett St
    • New 3 days ago

    Spacious 2-Family Home with Great Potential – Southbridge, MA. Discover the opportunity in this generously sized 2-family home offering over 3,100 sq. ft. of living space on a 9,583 sq. ft. lot. Conveniently located near downtown Southbridge and the town YMCA, this property provides both convenience and versatility. The main unit boasts 4 bedrooms, providing plenty of space for a growing family

    Jessica Ortega eXp Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Southbridge Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
17,651
Median Age
40
Population under 18
23.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$52,050
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,374

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
82.9%
College Graduates
17.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
48''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

13 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

42 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Southbridge