Looking for a peaceful, small town in rural New England that offers a welcoming community, historic charm, and a quiet, small-town atmosphere? Then living in Dunstable MA might be an excellent choice.
The town of Dunstable, MA, is located in northern Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border, and offers pastoral beauty and friendly neighbors. It’s named after its sister city of the same name in England. The earliest residents living in Dunstable MA were Europeans who arrived in 1656 and formally incorporated it in 1673.
Although the original township of Dunstable, Massachusetts included not only the modern-day community, but also the adjacent communities of Pepperell, Townsend, and Tyngsborough, along with the New Hampshire towns of Hudson, Nashua, and Hollis.
In the current era, moving to Dunstable offers affordability, easy access to modern amenities, and a slower pace of life that suits families, young professionals, and retirees alike. Here is everything you need to review to help you decide if Dunstable is a good place to live.
Where Is Dunstable MA?
Dunstable, Massachusetts, is in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and borders the state of New Hampshire to the north.
Major highways are easily accessible. Route 113 passes directly through the community, and US Highway 3 also passes through the area two miles east of town, offering quick access to Boston for commuters living in Dunstable MA.
Dunstable borders Pepperell to the west, Groton to the south, Tyngsborough to the east, and Nashua and Hollis to the north.
It’s 40 miles or about a 46-minute drive from Dunstable, MA to Boston, MA.
Dunstable Population and Demographics
The population of Dunstable is 3,358 as of the 2020 census. The number of people living in Dunstable MA has risen dramatically every decade since the 1960s, when there were only 824 people in the town. In recent years, this trend has slowed somewhat, although the number of residents living in Dunstable MA increased by 5.6% between 2010 and 2020. It still maintains a very spacious, rural feel and has a population density of 205 people per square mile.
Dunstable is a very wealthy community popular among families and retirees. The median household income is $202,379, which is more than double the amount in the rest of Massachusetts. Approximately 18% of the Dunstable MA population is under 18, and 40% are over the age of 50.
It isn’t widely known for its diversity, with 90% of residents living in Dunstable MA being white, 5% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian, 1% Black or African American, and 1% identifying as two or more races.
Several notable people and historic figures have enjoyed living in Dunstable MA, including musician Colleen Green and merchant and philosopher Amos Lawrence.
Dunstable demographics
- The median age is 41.6 years
- 52% of people living in Dunstable MA are men, and 48% are women
- 97% of residents living in Dunstable MA have a high school diploma, and 60% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The foreign-born population is 6%
The crime rate in Dunstable is very low, particularly for violent crime. It’s a peaceful and safe community, which is why there are so many families and retirees living in Dunstable MA. Here is a breakdown of how the Dunstable crime rate compares to the Massachusetts crime rate and the rest of the state:
- Total crime rate: 240 crimes per 100,000 people, 82.8% lower than the state and 89.7% lower than the country
- Violent crime rate: 120 crimes per 100,000 people, 62.7% lower than the rest of the state and 67.5% lower than the rest of the country
- Murder rate: 0 crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the state and country
- Property crime rate: 120 crimes per 100,000 people, 88.8% lower than the state average and 93.9% lower than the national average.
The Dunstable Police Department handles community security with the assistance of eight officers and one civilian employee.
Cost of Living in Dunstable MA
While the cost of living in Dunstable MA is higher than the rest of the country, it’s fairly consistent with the rest of Massachusetts. A great way to fully understand the cost of living in a community is to look at the cost-of-living index.
It compares the cost of everyday consumer goods to the rest of the US, which is represented by a value of 100. The COLI for the Boston area is 145.8, suggesting that living in Dunstable MA is about 45.8% more expensive than the rest of the country.
The Family Budget Calculator, created by the Economic Policy Institute, is also a fantastic resource. It suggests that the typical family of four, consisting of two adults and two children, would need to earn about $154,387 to afford the cost of living in Dunstable MA.
Common expenses of living in Dunstable MA:
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $25.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.68
- Loaf of fresh white bread: $2.73
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $4.53
- Mid-range bottle of wine: $15.00
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.19
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.79
- Average Dunstable monthly utility bill: $218.54
Source: Numbeo
*data reflects the neighboring town of Nashua but will be very similar for those living in Dunstable MA
Real estate in Dunstable, MA, is more expensive than the rest of the US, but only slightly more so than housing in Massachusetts. Redfin shows that the median price of homes for sale in Dunstable, MA, is $881,000, which is approximately double the median price in the US but only 18% higher than the median price in Massachusetts. The median price per square foot of Dunstable MA real estate is $292.
Most residents living in Dunstable MA own a home. According to census data, 96% of homes are owner-occupied. So any renters moving to Dunstable may struggle to find options. However, you may find more luck in neighboring towns, such as Tyngsboro or Nashua.
Although data on the average rent in Dunstable is not available, Rentcafe suggests that the average rent in Nashua is $ 2,208 per month, with rent prices in the area starting around $ 1,300 for a studio and going up to $ 3,000 for two or more bedrooms.
Dunstable Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Dunstable
As a small, residential town rather than a proper city, Dunstable lacks well-defined neighborhoods. It’s a very rural community that primarily consists of single-family homes and farmland. It doesn’t even have a proper downtown area, and there are limited shops and businesses in the community.
However, regardless of where you choose to settle down, living in Dunstable MA offers spacious homes and a strong sense of community. Generally speaking, the most desirable Dunstable real estate for homebuyers tends to be in the east, while the most affordable homes are located in the north.
Dunstable Weather & Climate
The weather in Dunstable is fairly typical for what you might expect in New England. It has a humid continental climate, which means you can expect warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters if you plan on living in Dunstable MA.
The temperature in Dunstable typically ranges from 17°F to 83°F, although winters can be as cold as 2°F and summers can reach as high as 91°F. The best weather in Dunstable typically occurs from mid-June to mid-September, making it a good time to plan a visit.
You’ll also want to get ready for precipitation if you plan on moving to Dunstable. It averages approximately 47 inches of rain and 56 inches of snow annually. So be sure to bring an umbrella and a snow shovel.
Things to Do in Dunstable
As a small, rural community, living in Dunstable MA doesn’t offer many activities and attractions in the town itself. However, there are plenty of fun things to do in the surrounding areas.
You’ll find a few shops and boutiques scattered around US Route 113 that people living in Dunstable MA are known to frequent, including the Tully Farm Dairy Store, the Dunstable General Store, and Wickham & Willoughby Book Store. The Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua is also close by for more brand-name retailers and tax-free shopping options. Beyond shopping, here are a few additional things to do in Dunstable.
The Dunstable Rural Land Trust
The Dunstable Rural Land Trust is a 175-acre nature preserve run by a local volunteer organization that hosts regular events and maintains the grounds, making it a great location for outdoor enthusiasts living in Dunstable MA who love hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, or kayaking.
1076 Main St, Dunstable, MA 01827 (978) 649-4514
The Butterfly Place
Located in the nearby town of Westford, The Butterfly Place is an indoor garden and habitat for regional and tropical butterflies, birds, koi fish, and other wildlife. It features a walking path open to the public for birthdays, weddings, and casual viewing for those living in Dunstable MA.
120 Tyngsboro Rd, Westford, MA 01886 (978) 392-0955
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Roller Kingdom
Roller Kingdom is a local roller skating rink in the adjacent community of Tyngsborough, featuring a roller rink, arcade, laser tag, and karaoke. It’s perfect for anyone living in Dunstable MA looking for a family-friendly destination for a birthday party or family outing.
355 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsborough, MA 01879 (978) 649-3439
Additional Attractions
Searching for more fun things to do in Dunstable? The local Recreation Commission has an event calendar and a list of local parks available on its website. The Tyngsborough-Dunstable Historic Society also offers free resources on local history.
Dunstable Restaurants
Although not known for its culinary scene, you’ll still find a few restaurants in Dunstable, MA, and the surrounding areas. From comfort food to barbecue, here are a few of the best places to eat while living in Dunstable MA.
The Farmhouse Cafe
The Farmhouse Cafe is a local favorite and one of the only restaurants in Dunstable, MA. It’s open for breakfast and brunch on Wednesday through Sunday, serving hot coffee, breakfast items, sandwiches, pastries, and other favorites.
17 Pleasant St, Dunstable, MA 01827 (978) 649-2200
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Mama Luz’s Restaurant
Mama Luz is a popular Latin American restaurant in Tyngsborough serving tapas, paninis, and cocktails with outdoor seating and an espresso and martini bar.
168 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsborough, MA 01879 (978) 414-2030
Smokey Bones Tyngsboro
Smokey Bones is a local chain with a location in Tyngsboro serving delicious smoked meat dishes at a reasonable price with happy hour specials, craft cocktails, and plenty of TVs to watch sports.
431 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsborough, MA 01879 (978) 649-5410
Jobs in Dunstable
As a small, rural town, employment opportunities in the community itself are somewhat limited. According to the local Economic Development Department, most jobs in Dunstable, MA, are with the town government or school district.
Other employers in the community offering Dunstable MA jobs include the Post Office, local farms, auto repair shops, antiques dealers, landscaping firms, a florist, a real estate office, and a tax and financial services business.
The largest industries in Middlesex County as a whole were professional, scientific, and technical services, manufacturing, and real estate. Employment seekers living in Dunstable MA can also find work in the Nashua area.
Major employers in Nashua:
Residents living in Dunstable MA can expect competitive compensation. Payscale suggests the average annual salary in the Nashua area is $89,000. Although somewhat scarce, you can find a variety of Dunstable jobs available in positions such as stocker or barista. Additionally, the Town of Dunstable also offers employment opportunities.
Dunstable Schools
The town has excellent schools, which is why there are so many families living in Dunstable MA. It’s within the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, which comprises one preschool, two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The Boutwell Early Childhood Center in Groton offers pre-K education for kids living in Dunstable MA.
Swallow Union Elementary School is in Dunstable and serves students in grades K-4 (Florence Roche Elementary School in Groton is also in the district). Although there are no Dunstable high schools in the community itself, students in the town may attend Groton-Dunstable Regional High School in Groton.
It’s not only one of the best high schools in Dunstable,but it also ranks within the top 50 high schools in Massachusetts and has a 63% AP Participation Rate and 98% graduation rate. The Town also has a list of private schools in Dunstable, and the surrounding areas, where students may attend. Any residents living in Dunstable MA are also welcome to stop by the Dunstable Free Public Library.
Dunstable Statistics & Information
- County: Middlesex County
- Dunstable area: 16.17 sq mi
- Dunstable zip code: 01827
- Dunstable area code(s): 351 and 978
- Dunstable elevation: 225 ft
- Dunstable time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and 5)
- Closest airport to Dunstable: The Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is 40 miles away.
Dunstable MA Map
Continue to explore more activities, attractions, and fun things to do in Dunstable with this map.
Learn What Living in Dunstable MA Is Really Like
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