Are you contemplating a move to a tranquil, picturesque haven away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Look no further than Boxford, MA. Living in Boxford MA offers the perfect blend of a sleepy town ambiance and the charm of a small town, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and rural lifestyle. Just a short drive from Boston, this quiet haven boasts scenic hiking trails and the expansive Boxford State Forest, where outdoor enthusiasts can immerse themselves in nature.
The town is dotted with picturesque small farms, adding to its rustic charm. As such, Boxford MA is a good place to live. Whether you are drawn to its serene environment or the allure of rural living, moving to Boxford is a great choice.,
Where Is Boxford MA?
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What county is Boxford MA in? The primary Boxford MA county is Essex County. Boxford is commonly divided into Boxford Village (also known as East Boxford) and West Boxford Village. This Essex County town is heavily forested in many areas, and you’ll find several natural attractions in the area. In addition to these thick forests, you’ll also find water-based attractions like Stiles Pond Beach and Baldpate Pond. Additionally, residents living in Boxford MA depend on wells for water, as there is no official water department in this rural town.
Surrounding towns and cities near Boxford include Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, Rowley, Ipswich, Topsfield, Middleton, and North Andover. Additionally, Boxford is only 25.3 miles away from Downtown Boston. Therefore, residents can commute to the Downtown area in under 45 minutes by car. After moving to Boxford, the best way to get around is by car, as there are no convenient public transportation options in the area. Ipswich Road is the main street in the area, connecting residents to Topsfield Road and I-95.
Boxford MA Population & Demographics
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The Boxford population is 8,203, and this Essex County town is only continuing to grow! The town of Boxford MA is very affluent, with a median household income of $209,423. This high median household income is higher than both the national average of $75,149 and the Massachusetts average of $96,505. This is also higher than the median household income in Boston of $89,212.
After moving to Boxford, you’ll share the same zip code as many notable people. A few famous people from Boxford MA include football player Mark Bavaro, NHL player Chris Kreider, and actress Debra Jo Rupp.
Additional Boxford Massachusetts Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 51.2% male, 48.8% female
- Median age: 49.6
- Educational attainment: 97.6% high school degree (or higher), 70.1% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 6.5%
Is living in Boxford MA safe? Let’s take a look at this Essex County town’s crime rate.
- Overall crime rate: 264 crimes per 100,000 people (80.6% lower than Massachusetts average and 88.7% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 12 crimes per 100,000 people (96.1% lower than Massachusetts average and 96.9% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 252 crimes per 100,000 people (76.1% lower than Massachusetts average and 87.1% lower than national average)
As you can see, Boxford MA is a very safe place to live. After moving to Boxford, you will be served by the Boxford Police Department, which has 25 officers on the force.
Boxford Cost of Living
Is living in Boxford MA affordable for you and your family? Living in this community is on the expensive end. Boxford, Massachusetts, has a Cost of Living Index of 144.8, making the town 44.8% more expensive than the national average. Although higher than the national average, it is 6% lower than the cost of living in Boston. Luckily, this higher cost of living is evened out by the median household income. According to News 10, Essex County is the 5th-highest-earning county in Massachusetts.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Boxford MA would need to earn $131,935 per year ($10,995 per month) to live comfortably in the community.
Typical Boxford Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $15.00
- Cappuccino: $5.00
- Gallon of milk: $4.53
- Carton of eggs: $2.62
- Gallon of gas: $3.42
- Average Boxford utilities per month: $170.17
- Fitness membership (monthly): $42.50
Source: Numbeo*
*These figures are for the nearby city of Salem, but you can expect similar numbers when living in Boxford MA.
Are you on the hunt for Boxford MA real estate? Luckily, there are plenty of homes for sale in Boxford MA. According to Redfin, the median home price in Boxford Massachusetts is $935,000. The Boxford real estate market has recently slowed down, and prices are down 14% compared to last year. However, the median home price is still well above the national average of $442,000. After moving to Boxford, you can choose from everything from old single family homes with stone walls to luxurious new builds to small farms with plenty of yard space.
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Although most of the real estate in Boxford comes in the form of single family homes, you can still find a few Boxford MA apartments. According to Zillow, the average rent in Boxford MA is $1,675.
Neighborhoods in Boxford Massachusetts | Best Places to Live in Boxford
When living in Boxford MA, it is important to choose the best neighborhood for your needs. Because Boxford is such a small area, there are not too many specific neighborhoods to choose from. However, Boxford is often split into East Boxford and West Boxford Village. East Boxford is a quiet area featuring mostly single-family homes with traditional stone walls. East Boxford is also more rural and is home to both Boxford State Forest and Baldpate Pond.
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West Boxford Village, on the other hand, is closer to the New Hampshire border and is situated near North Andover. West Boxford is a little more urban; however, you will still find natural attractions like Stiles Pond Beach in this area. In this part of the community, you can enjoy both single-family homes and apartment-style living.
Boxford MA Weather & Climate
When living in Boxford MA, you can enjoy a humid continental climate, with warm and hot summers and cold and stormy winters. The average Boxford temperature in the summertime is 72ºF, making it perfect for enjoying outdoor attractions like Stiles Pond Beach and Baldpate Pond. The coldest month of the year in Boxford is January, with an average low temperature of 21ºF. The average annual snowfall in Boxford MA is 52.4 inches. Additionally, the chilly fall days are perfect for enjoying the town’s annual Apple Festival at Witch Hollow Farm.
Things to Do in Boxford MA
What is there to do when living in Boxford MA? Residents often do their grocery shopping at places like ALDI and West Village Provisions. For retail shopping, head over to North Andover Mall or Eaglewood Shops. If you find yourself in need of a gas station, then Topsfield Gas & Service is a popular choice. These are a few things to do in Boxford MA.
Stiles Pond Beach
Stiles Pond Beach is a town beach that features a small pond that is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and fishing. It is only open to Boxford residents, so don’t expect it to get too crowded!
10 Stiles Pond Rd, Boxford, MA 01921
Boxford State Forest
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This beautiful nature preserve features over 1,000 acres of swamps, scenic hiking trails, and heavily forested areas.
Boy Scout Park
Stop by this Essex County park to enjoy walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
12 Cahoon Rd, Boxford, MA 01921
Additional Boxford Attractions
Looking for more things to do after moving to Boxford MA? Check out the town’s event calendar.
Boxford MA Restaurants
When living in Boxford MA, there’s no shortage of great food to enjoy. These are just a few of the best restaurants in Boxford MA.
Boxford House of Pizza
This pizza joint is one of the most popular Boxford restaurants among the locals. Stop by and enjoy a slice of their homemade pies, a delicious salad, and more.
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256 Georgetown Rd # 5, Boxford, MA 01921, (978) 887-2212
Pub 97
Just a stone’s throw away in Groveland sits Pub 97. This homey American restaurant serves up classic American comfort food like burgers and nachos.
935 Salem St, Groveland, MA 01834, (978) 372-3320
Boxford Community Kitchen
When it comes to restaurants in Boxford, you can’t skip out on Boxford Community Kitchen. This casual eatery offers up pasta, salads, pizzas, and more in a relaxed setting.
7 Elm St, Boxford, MA 01921, (978) 887-5632
Boxford MA Jobs
Are you thinking about getting a job after moving to Boxford Massachusetts? When living in Boxford MA, you’ll have plenty of jobs to choose from. Many people living in the area choose to commute to Boston for work, where you’ll find top employers like Liberty Mutual Insurance, Amazon, and Fidelity Investments. If Boston isn’t calling your name, then there are plenty of other opportunities in Essex County. According to Impact Essex County, the sector most paid is financial activities, with an average annual salary of $111,300, followed by information and manufacturing, with an average salary of $110,200 and $103,800, respectively.
According to PayScale, the average salary in Boxford MA is $75,000. If you are on the hunt for jobs in the community, then check out the town job board or search for “Boxford MA Jobs” on Indeed.
Boxford MA Schools
If you are moving to Boxford MA with children, then you need to know about the schooling options in the town. Students grades preschool through six living in Boxford MA are served by Boxford Public Schools, and students in grades 7-12 matriculate to Masconomet Regional School District. The community has one high school, Masconomet Regional High School, and one middle school, Masconomet Regional Middle School. You’ll find two elementary schools in Boxford: The Spofford Pond School and Harry Lee Cole School.
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If you are interested in higher education, then North Shore Community College is just 5.6 miles outside of Boxford. When living in Boxford MA, you can check out the Boxford Town Library.
Boxford Statistics & Information
- County: Essex County
- Boxford MA zip code: 01921
- Boxford MA area code: 351, 978
- Boxford MA elevation: 95 feet
- Boxford MA time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Boxford: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 20.6 miles away
Boxford MA Map
Is living in Boxford MA in your future? Our expert Boxford movers are ready to get you settled into this wonderful community. Give Mass Bay movers a call today at (978) 587-3775 to get started with a free quote!
