Living in Carlisle MA allows you to experience a small town with a country feel and a family-friendly atmosphere. English colonists first began moving to Carlisle in the 1600s. The colonists settled in the area that is now Carlisle in 1651. Carlisle became a district of Concord in 1780 and was incorporated as a town in 1805. The town is home to Carlisle Castle, the largest playground in the state of Massachusetts.
One of the best experiences in the town of Carlisla MA is Great Brook Farm State Park, where the first robotic milking system in Massachusetts was established. The farm serves fresh ice cream made from the farmโs milk. Great Brook Farm is also where youโll find one of the top cross-country ski centers in New England. Additionally, Clark Farm is another notable site, known for its conservation restrictions that help preserve the land. Blue Jay Recording Studio, also located in Carlisle, has seen many top artists come through its doors, including the Platters, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Boston, Billy Joel, Lauryn Hill, and many more.
Even though Carlisle is a small town, itโs not short on culture and entertainment. The Carlisle Chamber Orchestra, the Carlisle Community Chorus, and the Savoyard Light Opera Company are active parts of the cultural scene. Fern’s Country Store, established in 1844 and renovated in 2010, is a historical gem where hikers and bikers often stop for a sandwich and drink during their workouts.
Youโll love the rural, wide-open feel of living in Carlisle Massachusetts.
Where Is Carlisle, MA?
Carlisle, Massachusetts, is a town in Middlesex County. Carlisle MA to Boston MA is about one hour. Itโs bordered by Pinehurst to the east, Concord to the south, Littleton to the west, and Chelmsford to the north.
Map of Carlisle, MA
Carlisle MA Population and Demographics
The Asian community in Carlisle, and in Massachusetts as a whole, can be seen in its economic growth over the past decade. Most are of Chinese ancestry, but the Asian community is also made up of other groups, such as Malaysians, Burmese, Taiwanese, Indonesians, Sri Lankans, Hmongs, and Pakistanis. The Asian community is among the fastest-growing racial groups in the state, adding diversity to the town of Carlisle that is evident in businesses, restaurants, and more.
Carlisle is a vibrant community of 5,209 residents, where cultural diversity plays a small role in shaping the townโs uniqueness. The majority of the population, 84%, identifies as White (83% of the townโs residents identify as White and not Hispanic or Latino), with 11% identifying as Asian. The town embraces a mix of backgrounds, and 4% of residents identify as being of two or more races. Though smaller in number, the Hispanic or Latino community adds to the town’s cultural tapestry, representing 1% of the population. In Carlisle, youโll find a blend of cultural identities that contribute to the fabric of the town.
Hereโs an overview of Carlisleโs demographics:
- Population density: 340.1 per square mile
- Median age: 45.4
- Sex ratio: 54.0% males, 46.0% females
- Median household income: $247,656
- Educational attainment: 100% high school degree or higher, 81.3% bachelorโs degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 11.4%
- Veteran population: 277
The Carlisle Police Department, with 12 full-time and 5 part-time officers, works closely with the community to eliminate crime and improve the quality of life for all Carlisleโs residents. The crime rate in Carlisle is 654 per 100,000 people, which is 72% lower than the national average. Violent crime is 82% below the national average. The property crime rate in Carlisle is low as well, 70% lower, with 1,783 crimes per 100,000 people.
Carlisle MA Cost of Living and Real Estate Market
The cost of living in Carlisle is 44% higher than the national average and 13.5% higher than the state average. Carlisle MA real estate can be pretty expensive and will take up a large amount of your living costs. Housing costs in Carlisle are 134.8% more expensive than the national average and 103.1% more expensive than the average Massachusetts home. The median sale price of a home in Carlisle is $1,482,500. These statistics are sourced from the MLS Property Information Network (MLS PIN).ย
The median sale price per square foot in Carlisle is $361, which is a decrease of 0.82% since last year. Check out a current list of Carlisle MA homes for sale. The average rental cost in Carlisle is between $2,500 and $2,700 per month. By comparison, rents in Concord are $3,127. You can find apartments for rent and homes for rent in Carlisle MA on RentCafe. Itโs also important to look at things like property taxes in Middlesex County before deciding on moving to Carlisle.
Typical Carlisle Living Expenses:
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $24.00
- Domestic beer: $9.00
- 1 gallon of milk: $4.97
- Dozen eggs: $4.71
- 1 pound of chicken: $6.23
- Average Carlisle monthly utility bill: $198.58
Source: Numbeo, Boston, MA
The Best Neighborhoods in Carlisle
Carlisle is a small community thatโs spread out, giving it a rural feel with lots of room and privacy for residents. Many of the homes are large and located on multiple acres of land. Although homes are spread out, the community has a close-knit feel, and neighbors look out for each other. The town of Carlisle MA is safe and a great place to raise children. Older homes tend to be on smaller lots, but the current minimum zoning in Carlisle is 2 acres, with many homes sitting on more land.
The sprawling homes in the neighborhood come in a variety of styles, including large, ranch-style houses, and expansive Cape Cods, huge Colonials, mid century modern homes, and contemporary new constructions. Shopping and restaurants are a short distance away in neighboring towns, allowing locals lots of privacy. Most home sites are near one of Carlisleโs many hiking trails and green spaces.
Carlisle MA Weather & Climate
Carlisle has a humid continental climate that offers hot, humid summers and cold winters. The average yearly temperature ranges from 24-80ยฐF. Summer highs hit the low 80s in July, and youโll see occasional thunderstorms. Spring and fall have the best weather when temperatures typically range from 50-70ยฐF. Winter lows drop to a frigid 16 degrees in January. Carlisle averages 48 inches of rain, well above the national average. The town also gets a heavy dose of snow in winter, averaging 55 inches per year.ย
The US average is about half that at 28 inches per year. On average, Carlisle experiences 201 sunny days per year, just below the national average. The best time of year to visit Carlisle is from mid-June to mid-September to take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy outdoor activities.ย
Things to Do in Carlisle MA
Carlisle offers fun and exciting things to do and see for residents and visitors alike. The town of Carlisle MA also has shopping at the Nagog Mall, Acton Woods Plaza, and Bedford MarketPlace. Town residents tend to rely on nearby areas for their shopping needs, as the downtown area mainly consists of the town hall and a general shop. However, there is a Kimballs in Carlisle MA. Here are some of the best things to do in Carlisle:
Great Brook Farm Carlisle Massachusetts
Covering an expansive 1000 acres, Great Brook Farm State Park is showcased by over 20 miles of trails. Native American sites and 17th-century cellar holes from English settlers are highlights to see. The active dairy farm offers free tours on weekends and sells freshly made ice cream.
165 North Rd, Carlisle, MA 01741, (978) 369-6312
Great Brook Ski Touring Center
Great Brook Ski Touring Center boasts over 10 miles of machine-groomed cross-country skiing trails. The trails are designed for beginners up to elite experts and traverse beautiful farmland, forests, streams, and ponds. You can rent equipment on-site if you donโt have your own.ย
1018 Lowell St, Carlisle, MA 01741, (978) 369-7486
Carlisle Castle Playground
Carlisle Castle Playground is 28,000 square feet of pure fun for kids. Built as a community project, the playground features two separate play areas. The largest is a wooden play area with secret hiding places, lookout points, tire stairs, slides, and more. The second area has slides, climbing structures, swings, and more.ย
83 School St, Carlisle, MA 01741
Additional Attractions near Carlisle, MA:
For more activities, Carlisle has two recreation areas and school facilities for residents to use. Banta Davis Recreation Area offers a baseball field, a softball field, a soccer field, a fitness course, tennis courts, and a ยผ mile running track. Spalding Field has a 5-acre multi-purpose field for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, as well as a softball and baseball field. Diment Park has a toddler playground for children five and younger. The Carlisle Public School Gym and Exercise Room are used for adult and youth basketball, indoor soccer, badminton, volleyball, fencing, karate, and dance classes. Itโs easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle in Carlisle.ย
Carlisle MA Restaurants
Many fine places to eat are just a short drive from Carlisle, from cafes to burgers to freshly prepared meals. Youโll find something for every taste near Carlisle. If youโre visiting Carlisle, make sure to check out the Kimball Farm, where they have fried seafood and ice cream. Other popular Carlisle restaurants include:
Helen’s Restaurant
Helenโs extensive menu includes everything from old-fashioned American favorites to innovative dishes using fresh produce from local farmers. Helenโs believes the best dishes are made with the best ingredients, and they work closely with the Farm at Walden Woods to ensure every dish is made with the best ingredients and the freshest, highest quality produce.ย
17 Main St, Concord, MA 01742, (978) 369-9885
Main Streets Market & Cafe
Main Streets has been serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the area for 20 years. They grow much of their own produce on their family farm in Concord and purchase from other local farmers as well, bringing the freshest produce available to every dish.ย ย
42 Main St, Concord, MA 01742, (978) 369-9948
Rapscallion Table & Tap
โโRapscallion, set in a historic farmhouse, is the place to enjoy comfort food and craft beer with friends and family. Every dish is made from scratch and features locally sourced ingredients. Compliment your meal with one of Rapscallionโs hand-brewed beers or select wines and cocktails.ย ย
5 Strawberry Hill Rd, Acton, MA 01720, (978) 429-8161
Jobs in Carlisle MA
The top industries in Middlesex County are professional, scientific, and technical services; manufacturing; and real estate, rental and leasing. Carlisleโs proximity to downtown Boston offers additional employment opportunities. One of the major employers in Middlesex County is The TJX Companies, a Fortune 100 company and the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions worldwide. They operate over 4,900 stores across nine countries, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra.ย
Other major employers in the county include Staples headquarters, RTX, Boston Scientific, and Nuance Communications. If youโre looking for a job in Carlisle, check out Indeed and the Carlisle MA Job Opportunities.
Schools in Carlisle MA and Concord Carlisle High School
Carlisle Public Schools serves the students of Carlisle and is a testament to the strong support the local school system provides. The district is made up of 2 schools that are both A+ rated. Carlisle Public School is a Kโ8 school in Carlisle, and Concord Carlisle High School in nearby Concord is the districtโs high school.
The district strives to create a nurturing and individualized experience for all students, prioritizing social-emotional and physical health. Students have the option to attend Minuteman High School in Lexington, an award-winning public regional career technical education high school that offers 19 career technical majors, 14 sports teams, and 20 clubs and activities, inspiring students to reach their full potential in the 21st-century global community.
There are some excellent private school options near Carlisle as well, including Middlesex School, Concord Academy, and Lawrence Academy.
For further education near Carlisle, students have options to attend Middlesex Community College, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Regis College, and Harvard University.
The Gleason Public Library is a great place to spend a day looking for a good book or checking out magazines, digital media, music, and more. Gleason Public Library also contains a seismograph.
Carlisle MA Statistics & Information
- Carlisle MA County: Middlesex County
- Area: 15.6 square miles
- Carlisle MA zip code: 01741
- Area code: 351, 978ย
- Elevation: 205 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
- Closest airport: Boston Logan International Airport
Now that you know all about living in Carlisle MA, you’re probably ready to call it home! When youโre new to the area, moving in Carlisle MA can be difficult. If you’re moving to Carlisle Massachusetts, you want to be sure you have the best team to help you get there. Our Carlisle moving company at Mass Bay Movers is here to help you get there quickly and securely. Give our friendly team a call at 978-587-3775 today, or fill out our form with some more info to get a free quote!
