The town of Concord MA was settled way back in 1635 and has a rich Revolutionary War and literary history. It’s the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, where the Revolutionary War began in 1775. Famous authors Ralph Waldo Emerson. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Henry David Thoreau lived and worked in Concord in the mid-1800s. Today, a number of notable authors, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, Alan Lightman, and Gregory Maguire, live there. Concord is home to the famous Concord grape, and Welch’s, the first company to sell grape juice, has headquarters in Concord. Those moving to Concord are doing so thanks to its family friendly atmosphere, small town charm, and beautiful landscape.
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Where Is Concord Massachusetts?
Concord MA is a town in Middlesex County and is part of the Greater Boston Area. The Sudbury and Assabet rivers form the Concord River at the center of town. Concord is bordered by West Concord to the west. The city of Lowell is 13 miles north, Boston is 19 miles east, and Nashua, New Hampshire, is 23 miles north.
Concord is known for its picturesque New England charm, beautiful natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene. It offers a mix of historic sites, museums, art galleries, and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a desirable place to live for those who appreciate history, culture, and the beauty of rural Massachusetts.
Concord MA Population & Demographics
Concord is famous for its literary connections, with authors like Louisa May Alcott and Henry David Thoreau having lived and written there. Due to this, it attracts a lot of literary tourism. You can actually go on a full tour of different authors’ homes here. The population of Concord is 18,491, according to the 2020 Census, a 5% increase from 2010. The racial and ethnic composition of Concord is 83.2% White (81.3% Non-Hispanic), 4.2% Black or African American, 4.8% Asian, and 5.8% two or more races. The Hispanic population is 5.9%.
Concord demographics:
- Population density: 710/sq mi
- Median age: 46
- Sex ratio: 49.2% females to 50.8% males
- Median household income: $169,335
- Educational attainment: 95.7% high school grad or higher, 73.6% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 10.9%
- Veteran population: 656
Concord is a very safe place to live. The crime rate is 75% lower than the national average, and violent crimes in Concord are 65% lower. The overall crime rate in Concord is 593 crimes per 100,000 people. The Concord Police Department serves and protects the town of Concord MA.
Concord MA Cost of Living – Is Concord, MA Expensive?
The cost of living in Concord is 70% higher than the national average. er than the national average, but it’s 23% lower than the cost of living in Boston. Goods and services, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities are all 9% to 26% higher than the national average.
Typical Concord Living Expenses:
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $24.00
- Domestic beer: $8.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.39
- Dozen eggs: $5.04
- 1 pound of chicken: $6.74
- Average Concord monthly utility bill: $192.64
Source: Numbeo, Boston Metro
Living in Concord comes at a premium, and this is especially true for housing costs. They are 283% higher than the national average. The Concord housing market is also very competitive. The median sale price of a home in Concord is $1,518,000, up 7.7% since last year. By comparison, homes in Boston average $761,000. The median sale price per square foot in Concord is $461, down 3.9% since last year. Homes in Concord stay on the market for about 21 days compared to 19 days last year. Check out Concord MA homes for sale to see how much a home in Concord might cost you.
If you are planning to rent in Concord, rental costs are also very high. The average one-bedroom apartment cost is around $2,846 per month per Rent Café. Although expensive, rent is still much lower than in Boston, where rent averages $3,970 a month.
Best Neighborhoods in Concord MA
The town of Concord offers a variety of housing options but the real estate market mostly consists of single-family homes. You can find historic homes from Concord’s rich past, that date back a hundred years or more, to contemporary homes with all the modern conveniences. Most of the homes in Concord were built throughout the 20th century, but you can still find some new construction there. You can find homes in neighborhoods on half-acre lots up to sprawling majestic mansions on large lots up to 10 or more acres. The range in home prices in town is quite large, from about $400,000 to more than $6 million with 6, 7, or more bedrooms. Concord is a great place to raise a family, as excellent schools are nearby every home.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Concord include Nashawtuc Hill, Wright Farm, Arrowhead, and Adam Estates. All these communities feature homes from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet or more with 4 to 7+ bedrooms. The neighborhoods are quiet and peaceful, most situated on rolling hills with surrounding conservation land, walking and biking trails, and winding streets.
Weather Concord MA
Concord summers are warm, and winters are freezing and snowy. The summer season lasts from the beginning of June to mid-September 14, with an average daily high temperature above 74°F. Winter runs from December to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 45°F. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 83°F and a low of 62°F. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average freezing low of 19°F and a high of 35°F. Grab those rain boots! Be prepared for lots of rain and snow in Concord. It’s also humid. The Concord MA humidity is between 62%-72% yearround. It rains an average of 48 inches per and snows 51 inches! That’s almost double the national average.
Things to Do in Concord MA
Concord is where the Revolutionary War began and features a number of historic sites from that period. But you can also find parks, entertainment venues, and famous landmarks. In addition, excellent shopping options include Thoreau Shopping Center, Concord Plaza, and Friend Block. There’s also the CVS Concord MA for any late-night options you need. Here are some of the best things to do in Concord MA:
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House
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Orchard House was built around 1650 and is famous for being the place where Louisa May Alcott wrote and set Little Women in 1868. Learn about the rich history of this historic site spanning several centuries. Besides guided tours of the house, you can also attend events and programs throughout the year, such as “Write Stuff!”, a week-long youth camp.
399 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742, 978-369-4118
Minute Man National Historical Park
Minute Man National Historical Park preserves the opening battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775, known as the Battle of Lexington and Concord. See the structures and landscapes where British colonists defended their ideals of liberty and stood up against the British regulars. Take a guided tour of the battlefield or hike the trail on your own.
174 Liberty St., Concord, MA 01742, 978 369-6993
Concord Museum
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The Concord Museum is full of the revolutionary and literary history of Concord. Galleries present artifacts from the American Revolution, including the famous Paul Revere Lantern and intricately carved colonial powder horns. Check out Henry David Thoreau’s wooden flute and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s study filled with his books.
53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742, 978-369-9763
Additional Attractions in Concord:
Still looking for things to do in Concord? The town has beautiful parks that offer picnic sites, volleyball, fishing, boat launches, and hiking trails. Popular parks include Emerson Playground, with soccer fields, basketball courts, a playground, and soccer fields, and West Concord Park, offering lots of open space and a walking trail.
Restaurants Concord MA
In Concord, you’ll find everything from cafes to bars to fine dining. American, French, Asian, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine are just some of the choices you’ll have! Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Concord MA:
80 Thoreau
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80 Thoreau is the best fine dining restaurant in Concord. Serving exquisitely prepared American cuisine, 80 Thoreau sources their ingredients from local farms and their customer service is second to none. Favorites include the Chicken Al Mattone, Pork Loin & Belly, And Pan Roasted Hake
80 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742, (978) 318-0008
Fiorella’s Cucina
Fiorella’s is an Italian restaurant serving delicious, homemade Italian favorites with a twist. They prepare all their dishes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Cooked in a wood-burning brick oven, every meal is perfectly crafted and served with the best hospitality in their elegant dining room. Besides the traditional Italian favorites and contemporary entrees, they also feature delicious Neapolitan-style pizza and creative daily specials.
24 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 978-341-9999
Helen’s Restaurant
Opened in the early 1930’s, Helen’s has been a staple in Concord for nearly a hundred years. This casual, family-owned establishment serves great, American-style food and scrumptious desserts with friendly service and affordable prices. They work closely with the Farm at Walden Woods to provide the best ingredients and the freshest, highest-quality produce.
17 Main St, Concord, MA 01742, 978-369-9885
Jobs in Concord MA
The average salary in Concord is $65,571 per year, according to Payscale. The most common industries in Middlesex County are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Educational Services. The highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Finance & Insurance. Many residents commute from Concord to Boston for a wide variety of job opportunities.
Major employers in Concord MA include:
Haven’t secured a job in Concord yet? It’s a great time to look for employment on Indeed or the Concord City Job Board.
Schools in Concord, MA
Concord Public Schools are part of the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District. The district has 5 schools: Alcott Elementary, Thoreau Elementary, Willard Elementary, Concord Middle, and Concord-Carlisle High. The district is highly ranked within the top 10% of all 395 school districts in Massachusetts. The top-ranked private schools in Concord include Nashoba Brooks School, The Fenn School, and Concord Academy.
Those living in Concord have plenty of opportunities to further their education. There are 101 colleges within 50 miles of Concord. The nearest college is Middlesex Community College in Bedford, which is just a short 4.8 miles away. Middlesex Community College is also the most affordable school near Concord, with an annual tuition of $576. There are other notable schools nearby as well, like Harvard University.
The Concord Free Public Library has been an influential part of Concord since 1873, serving the community with 2 branches.
Concord MA Statistics & Information
- County: Middlesex
- Area: 67.4 square miles
- Concord MA zip code: 01742
- Area codes: 351, 978
- Elevation: 43 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
- Closest airport: Boston (BNH) Airport, 17.3 miles away
Concord MA Map
Explore the area and learn more about the local hot spots with this map of Concord.
Moving to Concord requires the best movers in Concord to help get you there safely. Give Mass Bay Movers a call at 978-587-3775 and we’ll get you set up with a free quote!
