From Nashaway Native American territory to a robust hay farming industry, Sterling is a Central Massachusetts town teeming with history. The community was also home to Mary Sawyer, the muse behind the 1830 nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” “It’s something we're known for,” says Caryn Gorczynski, the vice president of Century 21 Center Home Team, who is also a Sterling resident. “Mary’s original one-room schoolhouse is a historic landmark, and we have a lamb statue dedicated to her on Main Street.” Colonial-style storefronts in the quaint downtown, Rail Trail access on Waushacum Avenue and proximity to Interstate 190 add elements of modernity to Sterling’s small-town history.
Outlying Sterling
Suburban Neighborhood in Sterling, Massachusetts
Worcester County 01564
Colonial-era dwellings and New Traditional estates
Homebuyers will find well-preserved properties built throughout the mid-1700s and the 19th century closest to Main Street. Side-gabled Federal dwellings sit on half-acre lots filled with pine trees. Second Empire homes have gravel driveways leading to detached two-car garages. Three-to-six-bedroom Queen Anne’s have restored interiors and wrap-around front porches. The town’s outskirts have two-to-three-acre parcels dotted with New Traditional estates circa the early 2000s and midcentury ranch styles. A Sterling home of any style typically costs between $400,000 and $700,000, a range similar to a Worcester County home’s average $400,000 selling price. “The housing market in Sterling is hot,” says Gorczynski. “Right now, there is low inventory. Once something goes up, it’s gone within a week.”
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From a conservation club to 18 Advanced Placement classes
Children in Sterling can go to Houghton Elementary, which has a B-plus grade from Niche. Next, they may attend the B-plus-graded Chocksett Middle, where students can join the conservation club to research endangered species, tend to the school garden and clean up local wildlife preservations. Lastly, students can attend Wachusett Regional High School. Lending to its A-minus grade, the school offers 18 Advanced Placement classes, including music theory and African American studies.
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A reimagined cider mill and Sterling community hubs
Until 1988, the cider mill on Waushacum Avenue produced 2 million gallons of juice and vinegar every year. Today, the building is home to an antique store, and the trailhead for Sterling’s portion of the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail. Hikers traveling this 4-mile gravel route will pass cattail swamps, oak-pine forests and a bridge over West Waushacum Lake. “The Waushacum Lake is split into an eastern part and a western part,” says Gorczynski. “Only Sterling residents can use them. You can swim at the town beach or kayak. It’s busy in the summer because of camp kids.” The town is also home to several other recreational hubs. Residents can join the true crime book club or attend a board game night at the Conant Public Library on Meetinghouse Hill Road. Besides ample picnic tables, Memorial Park at the heart of Sterling has a gazebo to host community events, like the Veterans Day ceremony. The Sterling Greenery Community Park, less than 2 miles away, has a modern playground and several baseball diamonds.
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Main Street dining and Leominster shopping
Residents can head to Main Street and start their morning at Emma’s Café, a locally owned breakfast spot serving omelets, sandwiches and smoothies. The thoroughfare is also home to Sterling Village Pizza & More, known for its casual atmosphere, thick-crust pies and classic pasta dishes. While Notown Goods sells locally sourced honey and handmade home décor, big-box shopping options are outside Sterling. The town is less than 5 miles from Hannaford, Shaw’s and Walgreens in downtown Clinton. An 8-mile drive north takes shoppers to Orchard Hill Park Drive in Leominster, where they can find stores like Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Best Buy.
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The highly attended Sterling Fair
“Over 30,000 people go to the Sterling Fair every September,” says Gorczynski. Located at the Sterling Airport, the event has been held off and on since 1859. Farmers can compete in the tractor race or sign their animals up for the oxen and horse pull. The weekend-long celebration also has local food vendors, live musicians and classic carnival attractions.
Interstate 190, a commuter’s dream
Sterling’s winding, rural roads don’t have sidewalks, and the town doesn’t have public transportation options. “Whether you work somewhere as close as Leominster or farther away in Boston, this is the ideal commuter town,” says Gorczynski. Interstate 190 spans Sterling’s western region, and a 50-mile drive east on the highway leads to Boston’s core. A 15-mile trip south also leads to downtown Worcester.
Written By
Meghan Baker
Photography Contributed By
Alexandria Pierre Etienne
Video By
Jacob Cooperman
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Janet Schoeny
Janet Schoeny
RE/MAX Vision
(351) 208-2591
66 Total Sales
2 in Outlying Sterling
$270K - $726K Price Range
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Virginia Todd
Virginia Todd
Leading Edge Real Estate
(857) 323-6892
76 Total Sales
1 in Outlying Sterling
$513,500 Price
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Adriana Poole
Adriana Poole
Responds QuicklyColdwell Banker Realty - Belmont
(781) 609-3833
11 Total Sales
1 in Outlying Sterling
$340,000 Price
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Valerie Cohen
Valerie Cohen
ERA Key Realty Services- Fram
(774) 260-6504
62 Total Sales
1 in Outlying Sterling
$423,000 Price
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MC Stewart
MC Stewart
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Realty-Merrimack
(978) 923-5901
74 Total Sales
2 in Outlying Sterling
$585K - $640K Price Range
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Diane Dabrowski
Diane Dabrowski
Responds QuicklyLamacchia Realty, Inc
(774) 315-3774
137 Total Sales
1 in Outlying Sterling
$475,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- K to 4th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sholan Park
Muddy Pond Ball Fields
Maypother Baseball Fields
- Baseball/Softball
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Sterling Greenery Community Park
Wachusett Reservoir Sterling Line trailhead
Wachusett Hiking Area
Central MA Rail Trail Sterling
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Outlying Sterling | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Outlying Sterling, Sterling sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Outlying Sterling, Sterling over the last 12 months is $633,532, up 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$600,000
Median Single Family Price
$630,000
Median Townhouse Price
$375,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$423,750
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$293
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Last 12 months Home Sales
65
Months of Supply
1.30
Median List Price
$596,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
2%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,744
Median Year Built
1979
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,055
Above the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,040
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,627
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560
Open Houses
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Sunday, May 412:30 - 2:30pm
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Sunday, May 41 - 3pm
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Saturday, May 310 - 11:30am
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$1,800 - $2,800 per month
- Northgate Meadows
- 1-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 764+ Sq Ft
- 3000 Meadows Dr
- Sterling, MA
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,980
Median Age
48
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$125,890
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$148,315
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
51.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.2%
% Population in Labor Force
70.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
63''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
9
/ 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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