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The Town of Spencer is located in central Worcester County, twenty minutes west of Worcester and about forty five minutes from Springfield. Largely residential, Spencer has been a supplier of workers in all categories for nearly every industry in the greater Worcester area. Ease of travel to all sections of the county makes Spencer a desirable area in which to live.
Route 31 gives access to Holden, Fitchburg, Leominster in the north; Charlton, Oxford and Southbridge in the south. Route 49 gives easy access to Sturbridge, Brimfield, Southbridge, the Mass Turnpike and Interstate 86 to Connecticut. Route 9 leads westerly through the Brookfields and Ware to the Amherst Campus of the University of Massachusetts and easterly to Worcester, Shrewsbury, Northborough, and Westborough. In addition to its own small commercial airfield on Paxton Road, Spencer is less than twenty minutes from Worcester airport and the industrial complex located next to it.
Spencer is also home for several large dairy farms, indicating that the town's fertile soil is not only suited for residential use. Several major lakes and ponds are also located in the town, including Stiles Reservoir, Thompson Pond, Lake Whittemore, Cranberry Meadow, Sugden Reservoir and Brooks Pond, providing recreational boating, swimming and fishing for the public.
Settled in 1717 by Nathaniel Wood, Spencer was incorporated as a town in 1753. It has been established as a district from a part of Leicester. Its name was assigned by Lieutenant Governor Spencer Phipps who had signed the order establishing the district.
In 1784, Spencer was a major stopping place on the Old Boston Post Road's stage route between Boston and Hartford, and on to New York. Spencer's first mill was built in 1740 on Seven Mile River, the greatest source of water power in the town.
In 1811, Josiah Green began making shoes, and in 1834 he built a factory. The Prouty family began to make shoes in 1820, and built their factory in 1855. In 1812, Elliot Prouty had begun to "draw" wire in a mill he had built. His business flourished in his family until 1916, when it merged with Wickwire Steel Company. At one time there were 11 factories and 26 buildings for wire drawing.
The Howe family of Spencer did much to make the town famous in the annals of ingenious Americans. William Howe of Spencer developed a wooden truss bridge named for him, and his brother Tyler Howe, patented a spring bed. Their nephew, Elias Howe, Jr., may well have eclipsed them when he invented the lockstitch sewing machine.
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School System Info
MCAS Ranking (of 351 towns) in State:
10th Grade Math: |
N/A |
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10th Grade Eng: |
N/A |
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8th Grade Math: |
N/A |
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8th Grade Eng: |
N/A |
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8th Grade Science: |
N/A |
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4th Grade Math: |
N/A |
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4th Grade Eng: |
N/A |
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Spending/Student:
$7,662
Average SAT scores:
1524
Student/Teacher Ratios:
15.2 to 1
Community
Population:12,006 Median Income in town: $49,181 Population Density: (people per square mile)
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents):
Property: 13.8 / 1,000
Violent: 3.9 / 1,000
Real Estate
Number of active:
Singles/Condos/Multis:
68
/ 6
/ 16
Median home price this year: N/A Median home price last year: $195,000
Median home price 5 yrs ago: $242,000
% change since last year: N/A
% change since 5 years ago: -24%
Avg single family tax bill:
$2,009
Transportation
Rail info: (T stops, commuter rail stops)
N/A
Subway info:
N/A
Bus lines:
N/A
Miles to Boston:
58
Drive time to Boston (minutes):
74
Rail time to Boston:
N/A
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RECENT LISTING
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$275,000
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Fabulous waterfront available just in time for summer fun! 50 feet of frontage on beautiful Sugden Reservoir, a full recreational lake. Fireplaced living and dining area with new hardwoods, sliders to deck overlooking the lake. Kitchen gutted four years ago offers tile flooring, recessed lighting, skylights and breakfast bar. Updated bath with jet tub. French doors open up to addition with formal dining and family room. Three bedrooms in lower level with sliders to patio and fenced yard.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$119,900
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Cute Cape in a nice area within walking distance to most everything. New familyroom addition with vaulted ceilings and deck off back. Nice sized formal diningroom will fit a large table. Formal livingroom or playroom also. Updated roof, town water and sewer. Large, walkout basement and garage under will make a great workshop area. Nice, fenced in yard for outdoor fun and oversized shed for storage. Needs some work but priced to sell. 1st time on the market in over 25 years. Perfect starter!
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$150,000
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Charming 3 bedrm ranch at the end of a cul-de-sac. This home has had lots of recent updates which include newer roof, trex decks, new carpets and laminet flooring, newer hotwater heater, vinyl sided, replacement windows,and many recently painted rooms. This ranch offers great 1 level living, with spacious rooms. Nice quite neighborhood location but close to shopping and major roads. Call today to view this great house.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$109,000
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Huge 4-5 bedroom Colonial with 2 full baths, hardwoods, large walk - up attic , and 2 car garage.This home would be great for an investor or first time home buyer (construction loan). Home can be easily converted to a 2 family!!! Home needs some TLC . Property sold "AS- IS"
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$175,000
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Beautifully remodeled Ranch in a prime area! Gleaming hardwood and ceramic tile throughout! Great and open Kitchen,dining & living areas with a large deck off will make this home great for entertaining! Gorgeous, completely updated kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliances & ceramic tile flooring. A large fireplaced livingroom and large masterbedroom both have hardwood floors and will fit large furniture! Full, partially finished basement with familyroom & office area. Great house
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$139,900
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Spacious Home in a great area within walking distance to just about everything! Almost 1 acre on this quiet street. Wide pine flooring in most rooms. Huge formal diningroom and Livingroom. Newer bath with jetted tub. Full walkout basement could easily be finished. Detached Garage. Needs work but will be a great place to call home! 1st time on the market. Great commuter access. Walk to Depot Walking Trails,shopping,parks.
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TYPE:
Multi-Family
PRICE:
$229,900
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Brand new Duplex to be built with complete quality. 6-8 month delivery. Buyer can choose colors, etc. Plans have potential to be revised if wanted/needed. Hardwood floors & ceramic tile, 1st floor laundry. Natural woodwork throughout. Central air! Live on one side and get help paying the mortgage with the other! Almost 1/2 acre lot. Full basements have tons of storage or ability to finish the space. Enclosed porches & mud rooms! Walk to shops,Depot walking Trails,Library & Parks.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$229,900
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Brand new Duplex to be built with complete quality. 6-8 month delivery. Buyer can choose colors, etc. Plans have potential to be revised if wanted/needed. Hardwood floors & ceramic tile, 1st floor laundry. Natural woodwork throughout. Central air! Live on one side and get help paying the mortgage with the other! Almost 1/2 acre lot. Full basements have tons of storage or ability to finish the space. Enclosed porches & mud rooms! Walk to shops,Depot walking Trails,Library & Parks.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$280,000
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NOW it's time to come see this awesome "WATERFRONT" to enjoy "SUMMERTIME FUN". The best lot on Stiles Reservoir offering space, privacy, quiet, beautiful views and potential to add on. Perfect place to enjoy the summer with 100 feet of shore on this private lake. Large 24 X 7 screen in porch overlooks lake. 16,600 SF of land additional 10,000 SF
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$399,900
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An extraordinary home! For the right owner it is a rare find...a home meant for entertaining & enjoying a vacation atmosphere on Stiles. The home was rebuilt & expanded in 1997. It has an updated gourmet kitchen with corian, large island & wet bar area. Large living room with large screen built in TV. Upper level has a Master Bdrm, office room which could be a bdrm/office, loft area used as 2nd bedroom, & a great sun room to relax &view the lake. Lots of potential with finished bsmt.Trex decking
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TYPE:
Multi-Family
PRICE:
$139,900
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4 FAMILY IN NEED OF COSMETIC WORK. 1 AND 2 BEDROOM UNITS, APPLIANCES INCLUDED, OFF STREET PARKING, ROOF IS OLD. INDIVIDUAL UTILITIES. CLOSE TO RT 9 AND SHOPPING
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TYPE:
Multi-Family
PRICE:
$159,000
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NICE PROPERTY 2 TWO FAMILY BUILDINGS ON THE SAME LOT. BOTH UNITS HAVE TENANTS. THERE IS A 3 CAR GARAGE AND OFF STREET PARKING. THE PROPERTY IS IN GOOD CONDITION, NICE YARD, CLOSE TO RT 9 AND SHOPPING.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$314,100
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Waterfront on Beautiful Stiles Reservoir. Flat Lot with approx.170 ft. water frontage!! Contemporary Home w/ Large Rooms, hardwood flrs.,Fireplace, 2 car att. garage. ALL CONTRACTS/OFFERS ARE SUBJECT TO ONEWEST SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPROVAL AND ANY OFFERS OR COUNTER OFFERS BY ONEWEST ARE NOT BINDING UNLESS THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED BY ALL PARTIES. ONEWEST IS COMMITTED TO RESPONDING TO OFFERS W/IN 72 BUSINESS HOURS. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE W/IN 24 HRS. See Firm Remarks
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$137,900
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Get ready for summer at this waterfront Bungalow on Stiles Reservoir! Failed Title V. According to the foreclosure complaint, the 0.13 acre lot across the street IS included.Buyer/Buyer's Agent to verify this and all info. This is a Fannie Mae HomePath property. Purchase this property for as little as 3% down. This property is approved for HomePath Renovation Mortgage Financing. No investor offer for first 15 DOM. Fannie Mae requires that all offers be submitted on their website. See Firm Remark
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$183,500
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Quiet country location near Howe State Park ,Newer roof ,Large kitchen with tile floor, sits on almost a full acre of land to much to list, this is a must see not a drive by. plenty of storage space be the first to call.(as is sale) .
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$259,000
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**NEW CONSTRUCTION** 3-BR, 3-FB, 2-CAR UNDER COLONIAL ON 2.83 ACRES ~ BAMBOO FLOORING ~ MAPLE KITCHEN CABINETS ~ MAPLE VANITIES W GRANITE TOPS ~ EAT-IN KITCHEN W LG ISLAND ~ 2ND FLOOR LAUNDRY ~ FARMERS PORCH ~ DECK ~ WALK-OUT BASEMENT ~ CLOSE TO HOWE PARK, TOWN CENTER, & ROUTES 9, 20, 49, 90 (MA PIKE)
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TYPE:
Condo
PRICE:
$87,500
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THIS UNIT IS BANK OWNED..IT HAS BEEN FRESHLY PAINTED, WALLS AND CEILINGS..THERE IS ALL NEW CARPETING THROUGHOUT..LITTLE SMALL THINGS LEFT TO DO BUT THIS UNIT IS PRICED TO SELL..ONLY 12 UNITS TOTAL IN THE COMPLEX..THE BASMEMENT IS STUDDED AND HAS BASEBOARD HEAT ALLREADY INSTALLED..NOT A LOT LEFT TO DO TO HAVE 20X12 FAMILY ROOM OR BEDROOM..THERE IS A WALK OUT FROM THE LOWER LEVEL WITH A PATIO LIKE AREA FOR BARBECUES, PATIO FURNITURE..WHY PAY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN CAREFREE CONDO?
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$189,900
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This 6 room, 2 bedroom Raised Ranch style home has many updates that include: roof, heating, windows, kitchen and baths. The 3rd bedroom has been converted to a dining room and the family room is situated off the kitchen and has slider to the screened porch to enjoy this Summer along with the privacy of the spacious, level yard with garden and storage shed. The home also features 2 driveways and a one car garage under. The basement can be easily finished and has laundry and 1/2 bath.
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TYPE:
Single Family
PRICE:
$239,900
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Renovated Gothic Victorian situated on .35 acres of land. Beautiful wrap aroundfront porch overlooks the yard. Updated kitchen includes Corian countertops with built in Jenn-Air stove. Gleaming hardwood flooring throughout most of the home. Bright and large bedrooms on 2nd floor. Laundry hookup on 2nd floor for convenience. This is a must see for antique lovers.
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TYPE:
Multi-Family
PRICE:
$89,900
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Great Opportunity for Investors or Owner Occupants - This 3 Family Needs some work and updating but will be worth it. Short sale lender approval required.
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