Prepare yourself for living in Pepperell MA! According to the Town of Pepperell, White settlers first arrived in the area in the 1720s. It was originally settled as part of Groton, and it became its own district in 1753 and a town in 1775. Pepperell gets its name from Sir William Pepperrell, a military leader during King George’s War. Only a few people began moving to Pepperell after its incorporation, and it remained a small town for most of its history.
During the 1800s, Pepperell began to expand, becoming a milling center and a railroad depot. It’s now a quaint residential community and a nice place to live, with a family-friendly atmosphere and convenient access to outdoor destinations. It is best known for its rich history, with connections to the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.
Moving to Pepperell may sound like a great idea, and it is. But before you call an MA moving company and start living in Pepperell MA, you should learn more about this incredible community. Here’s what to know about Pepperell Massachusetts.
Where Is Pepperell MA?
Where is Pepperell MA, and what county is Pepperell MA in? Pepperell is in Middlesex County, inside the Boston metropolitan area. It is 39.2 miles from Pepperell to Boston, so Pepperell is a suburb of Boston. It’s also 35.3 miles from Worcester to Pepperell and it is 9.9 miles from Pepperell to Nashua, New Hampshire. Pepperell is along the New Hampshire border, and it borders cities near Boston like Brookline NH, Hollis NH, Townsend, Groton, and Dunstable.
The center of Pepperell is well-developed with residential and commercial sections. The Nashua River flows through the center of town, and you can drive over a covered bridge to Central Massachusetts. However, most of the town is undeveloped and protected green areas and nature preserves. Some areas have paved roads and small cul-de-sacs, but large sections of the town are hard to access with a car.
Most residents use their cars to travel between cul-de-sacs and get to the center of town, and most people moving to Pepperell use their cars. Residents living in Pepperell MA do not have access to any public transportation services.
Pepperell MA Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Pepperell MA population is 11,710, up by 1.9% since 2010. Pepperell is one of the smallest towns in Middlesex County, accounting for less than 1% of the county’s population. The Pepperell MA population density is 514.1 people living in Pepperell MA per square mile, roughly one-quarter of the Middlesex County population density.
Notable people living in Pepperell MA include Barbara Cooney, William Prescott, and John Traphagan. Notable Pepperell demographics include:
- 51.7% female, 48.3% male
- Median age of people living in Pepperell MA: 42.6
- Racial and ethnic composition of residents living in Pepperell MA: 86.5% White (85.2% non-Hispanic), 5.7% Asian, 4.6% two or more races, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 2.7% Black or African American
- Median household income of people living in Pepperell MA: $126,976 (roughly 25% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Pepperell MA: 96.8% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 44.5% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of people living in Pepperell MA: 8.3%
Pepperell is an affluent and well-educated community. 61% of households living in Pepperell MA earn at least $100,000 a year, with 26.6% earning over $200,000. Only 6.6% of people living in Pepperell MA live below the poverty line, two-thirds of the Massachusetts rate.
Only 3.2% of residents have no educational degree, which is roughly one-third of the Massachusetts rate. Pepperell is a hub for veterans, with 6.3% of residents living in Pepperell MA being veterans, nearly double the rate in Middlesex County.
Pepperell is a very safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall crime rate: 621 offenses per 100,000 people living in Pepperell MA (76.4% lower than the Worcester crime rate, 55.4% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 73.3% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 86 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Pepperell MA (73.3% lower than the state rate, 76.7% lower than the national rate)
- Property crime rate: 534 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Pepperell MA (50.1% lower than the state rate, 72.7% lower than the national average)
The Pepperell Police Department employs 17 police officers living in Pepperell MA.
Cost of Living in Pepperell MA
Pepperell cost of living statistics can be hard to find, so you can use Boston cost of living statistics and make a rough estimate. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5, meaning items cost 46.5% higher than the national average on average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Middlesex County needs to earn $154,387 a year to cover their cost of living.
Pepperell may seem like an expensive place to live. However, you can cross the New Hampshire border and purchase items in New Hampshire. New Hampshire doesn’t have a sales tax, so you can enjoy tax-free shopping and save thousands on groceries and other items after moving to Pepperell.
Housing is the largest expense for families living in Middlesex County, at $2,814 a month, but Pepperell MA real estate is relatively affordable. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Pepperell MA is $392,000, with a median price per square foot of $273. According to RentCafe, the average cost of apartments for rent Pepperell MA is $2,500 a month, but renting is not common among residents living in Pepperell MA.
Typical Pepperell* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.95
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.19
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $3.32
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.50
- Average Pepperell* utilities per month: $196.60
- 1 summer dress: $43.46
Source: Numbeo
*Typical living expenses actually for Boston
Pepperell Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Pepperell
Pepperell does not have formal neighborhoods, but it has villages and historic districts similar to neighborhoods. Each village and district offers unique amenities and access to attractions like the Nissitissit River. Here are some of the best places to live in Pepperell.
East Pepperell | Family-Friendly Pepperell Neighborhood
East Pepperell is a village close to the geographic center of Pepperell. It’s one of the most developed areas in Pepperell and contains mostly residential areas with a few small businesses and attractions. East Pepperell’s real estate market is small, but it offers townhomes and single family homes for sale. Most homes for sale in East Pepperell are spacious, with 1,500 square feet and at least two bedrooms, making it a good community for families. Townhomes can cost less than $400,000.
Pepperell Center Historic District | Best Pepperell Neighborhood for Things to Do in Pepperell MA
Pepperell Center Historic District is at the geographic center of Pepperell and contains some of the most notable historic attractions in the community. You can visit the town common, the Lawrence Library, the Pepperell Town Hall, and over 70 other historic buildings. Pepperell Center Historic District has a small real estate market mostly comprising of one and two-bedroom townhomes, but these properties cost less than $500,000. This makes Pepperell Center Historic District suitable for singles and couples living in Pepperell MA without children.
Pepperell MA Weather and Climate
Pepperell has a humid continental climate with warm and partly cloudy summers and freezing and snowy winters, similar to the Boston climate. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 83. Temperatures peak in mid-July and steadily decline throughout the late summer and fall. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 25 degrees and an average low of 18. Average lows are below-freezing between late November and late March.
Pepperell receives 35.9 inches of rain and 44.4 inches of snow on average every year. Winters are cloudy, with over half of the days being overcast and mostly cloudy. While most days in the summer and fall are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy, over one-third of the days in August and September are overcast and mostly cloudy. Each month has at least seven days of precipitation. Summers have moderate levels of humidity, with roughly 10 days in July feeling muggy or oppressive.
Pepperell can experience severe weather, namely hurricanes and tropical storms in the summer and snowstorms and blizzards in the winter. Blizzards and nor’easters can drop more than a foot of snow and create high winds that lead to power outages, school closings, and dangerous driving conditions. Follow Pepperell MA weather broadcasts to prepare for a winter storm in advance.
August is the best month to visit and start moving to Pepperell. It’s one of the clearest months of the year, and the average temperature is 70 degrees, so you can go outside in a short-sleeved shirt.
Things to Do in Pepperell MA
You can find many unique things to do in Pepperell MA, including decent locally run stores! The Pepperell Quality Market is the top grocery store in Pepperell, with an on-site butcher shop, a deli, and a wide selection of hot and prepared foods. The Covered Bridge Country Store is a country store with antiques, works of art, candles, and other items from local vendors.
Nashua River Rail Trail – Pepperell Railroad Square
The Nashua River Rail Trail starts in Nashua, New Hampshire, and ends in Groton, snaking through Pepperell. The Pepperell Railroad Square is at the center of the trail and provides convenient access to the trail. It’s an 11-mile bike trail with scenic views of forests, and you can enjoy beautiful fall colors.
142 Main Street, Pepperell, MA, 01463, 978-597-8802
Minute Man Park
Minute Man Park is a half-acre park that commemorates the local minutemen living in Pepperell MA, who fought at the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775. You can visit the park between dawn and dusk and look at a historical marker commemorating the minutemen from Pepperell.
132 Townsend Street, Pepperell, MA, 01463
Skydive Pepperell
Skydive Pepperell is the top skydiving center in the Boston area. The center is located at a private 60-acre airport, and you can enjoy tandem skydives with experienced and trained professionals. The center can teach you how to skydive and allow you to become a licensed skydiver.
165 Nashua Road, Pepperell, MA, 01463, 978-433-9222
Additional Things to Do in Pepperell
The Pepperell Recreation Department oversees recreational activities and facilities in the Town of Pepperell. The department plans many special events, including parties and historic commemorations you can enjoy once you’re done moving to Pepperell. You can use the Pepperell events calendar to see when these events will occur.
Pepperell MA Restaurants
The Boston area is well known for its diverse cuisine, with seafood, family-friendly eateries, and classy and romantic restaurants. Pepperell MA restaurants are also diverse, and you can find a wide range of experiences and cuisines in restaurants Pepperell MA.
Tea Cafe
Tea Cafe is a hybrid Chinese-Thai restaurant with one of the largest menus among restaurants Pepperell MA. You can enjoy over 100 different dishes, including pu pu platters, vegetarian stir-fries, and combination platters, most of which cost less than $15.
105 Main Street, Pepperell, MA, 01463, 978-433-1888
Franny’s Diner
Franny’s Diner is a family-friendly diner that serves all-day breakfast and lunch specials like BLTs, soups, and salads. Your children can enjoy their own kids’ menu with affordable and healthy meals like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
170 Main Street, Pepperell, MA, 01463, 978-925-9043
The Lazy Bubble
The Lazy Bubble is unique among Pepperell MA restaurants for having a weekly changing menu. You can enjoy a wide range of dishes, including European dishes like goulash and American staples like cheeseburgers.
112 Main Street, Pepperell, MA, 01463, 978-925-9777
Jobs in Pepperell MA
According to DataUSA, the Pepperell town center has 965 jobs, while East Pepperell has roughly 1,230 jobs. It is harder to find economic data for other parts of Pepperell. The Pepperell town center has had some recent business closures, so the town center lost roughly 200 jobs between 2013 and 2023. However, roughly 150 Pepperell MA jobs were added to the East Pepperell economy during the same time period. Manufacturing, professional services, and educational services are the three largest job sectors in Pepperell.
According to Payscale, the average Pepperell salary is $98,000 a year and the average Pepperell base hourly rate is $24.24. Major employers in Pepperell include Walgreens, Spectrum, and Dunkin’. You can research and find jobs in Pepperell MA using Indeed and you can apply for Town of Pepperell MA jobs on the town government’s website.
Pepperell Schools
The North Middlesex Regional School District is the official Pepperell school district. Varnum Brook Elementary School is the only elementary school in Pepperell, serving kindergarten through grade 4. Nissitissit Middle School is the only middle school in Pepperell, serving grades 5 through 8.
Nissitissit Middle School students then attend North Middlesex Regional High School, which is located in Townsend. According to US News, 72% of North Middlesex Regional High School students test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 12 percentage points higher than the state median. North Middlesex Regional High School is unique among Massachusetts high schools for having three vocal performing ensembles and five instrumental performing ensembles.
There are no colleges, universities, or notable private schools in Pepperell. The Lawrence Library is the main library in Pepperell and serves all residents living in Pepperell MA.
Pepperell Statistics and Information
- County: Middlesex County
- Pepperell area: 23.2 square miles
- Pepperell MA zip code: 01463
- Pepperell area code: 351 and 978
- Pepperell elevation: 244 feet
- Pepperell time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Pepperell Massachusetts: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 41.3 miles from Pepperell
Pepperell MA Map
You can use this Pepperell MA map to find the best things to do in Pepperell, public schools, and attractions!
Start Living in Pepperell MA Today
Living in Pepperell MA can give you access to great restaurants, locally-run stores, and outdoor attractions! Parents will love the low crime rates, and retirees will enjoy the quaint and friendly atmosphere.
You can start moving to Pepperell right now. Mass Bay Movers has the best Pepperell movers, with over 2,000 moves per year. Call 978-587-3775 for a free quote now.
