Worcester’s peak as a manufacturing center was decades ago, but a cloud of the industrial age still lingers over Main Middle. This gritty area of three-decker houses, built at the turn of the century to house mill workers, is peak urban Worcester, with its chain-link fences, paved cracked sidewalks and street parking. Neighbors can walk to parks, health care facilities and music venues, past community centers and a colorful mural of Worcester musicians and rock gods like Steven Tyler. Smells of spinach and cheese pies, pork shoulder and plantains and freshly baked doughnuts permeate through the air. It’s a mix of homeowners and renters living on one of three floors of an investment property. “If you’re not looking for a lot of yard space, it’s a good option,” says Lee Joseph, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Realty in Worcester and a Realtor for about 40 years.
You can find homes from yesteryear in Main Middle.
A history of three-decker homes
The tradition of three-decker houses started at the turn of the 20th century. Developers discovered a way to save land and money by building three units under the same roof. Neighbors at the time worked in the local mills, and the tightly packed streets offered a sense of community. Main Middle is mostly three-decker homes, but there are some Empire-style structures and a few single-family options like late 19th century colonials for about $300,000. Houses sit right next to each other behind fences and sidewalks, and some properties have a tree or a bush in their small front yard. Real estate in Main Middle costs between $179,000 and $389,000.
Awesome murals adorn the outside of The Raven.
Banana splilt coffee at Boston Donuts
As its name suggests, Main Middle sits near the center of Worcester. People can walk downtown to live music venues like the Palladium and Mechanics Hall, and top-tier Worcester restaurants like Armsby Abbey and deadhorse hill. At the edge of Main Middle, along Pleasant Street, is the Raven, a rock music venue with a full bar and billiards. Local bands play there, and open mic nights take place often. Falafel plates, spinach pies and fresh breads are available at Bahnan’s bakery, and people head to Baba Sushi for sashimi and cocktails under the dim mood lighting. Boston Donuts bakes breakfast pastries and serves iced coffee flavors like banana split. Dollar Tree is in the neighborhood for everyday essentials, and people can pick up prescriptions at Walgreens. Directly west of Main Middle is a Big Y World Class Market, a local supermarket chain stocked with household essentials.
South High Community School has an overall rating of B according to Niche.
Worcester's engineering education pathway at Worcester Public Schools
Kids in Main Middle can attend Worcester Public Schools. The district has about 24,000 students and a B-minus rating from Niche. Children in the neighborhood can attend Elm Park Community School, rated C, Forest Grove Middle School, which scores a C-plus, and Doherty Memorial High School, which earns a B. Doherty has an Engineering and Technology Academy where admission happens through a lottery system.
Pleasant and Winslow Park is small but inviting.
Community gardening in Beaver Brook
Worcester is gritty, but it’s also deceptively green. Grassy hills and community parks sit throughout the city. Main Middle is east of Beaver Brook Park, a 19-acre community green space with multiple playgrounds. Little league baseball teams and a youth football program use the park as home base. Beaver Brook Park abuts the Worcester Youth Center, a community organization with creative, academic and social programs for young people ages 14-24. The local YWCA Central Massachusetts has an indoor pool and fitness offerings. Winslow & Pleasant Park, a half-acre neighborhood green space, has community garden plots, seating and picnic tables for relaxation.
To Boston by road or rail
Main Middle is minutes from several major highways. Route 9 takes travelers east to Boston, Interstate 190 runs north to Leominster and Interstate 290 goes north to Interstate 495 and south to the Massachusetts Turnpike. The neighborhood sits 1 mile west of Union Station, the Worcester train station where commuter rail service runs east to Boston. The state capital is 44 miles east. “We have great commuter access and the railroad that comes right to Union Station,” says Joseph.
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
Michael Giovangelo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
General Foley Stadium
Worcester Commons
Oread Castle Park
Elm Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
The Worcester Common Oval
Beaver Brook Park
Transit
Airport
Worcester Regional
10 min drive
Bus
King St & Bluff St
Bus
Chandler St & Dewey St
Bus
Main St & Oread Pl
Bus
Park Ave & Chandler
Bus
Queen St & Chandler St
Bus
May St & Hollywood St
Bus
King St & Jaques Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Main Middle
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Main Middle, Worcester sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Main Middle, Worcester over the last 12 months is $372,714, up 23% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
One-time Open House – Tuesday 5–6PM. Don’t miss this second chance. Back on Market- Prior Buyer Backed out before P&S. Seller Completed Requested Updates. Turnkey three-family investment in the heart of Worcester! Fully occupied with strong rental income and separate utilities, this property is ideal for investors or owner-occupants. Renovated third-floor unit & updated common areas in 2024 and
wekcome to this spacious and well-maintainned three family home. all units new update kitchen with granite countertop and new bathrooms.each unit hardwood flooring . few years old heating systerm each unit. update sewer pie from house to city main pie. five car parkings and three garage with rental $300 /month.( market rent it $300 for each ) frist floor long term tenant and low market
Great location with easy access to all major routes. Two residential apartments in the back, with two bedrooms in second floor and one bedroom on the first floor. Three commercial units at the front (one restaurant, one coffee shop, and one retail ). Bonus on third floor for extra storage or owner occupied to used. Full rental, great for investment or owner occupied with mortgage help (mixed
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael Giovangelo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,544
Median Age
37
Population Density
21 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$27,633
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,199
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
64.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
9.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.3%
% Population in Labor Force
47.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 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.
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.
