Located in Middlesex County, Chelmsford is a charming town with a long and storied history stretching back to the English settlement of the Americas. Located just 30 miles northwest of Boston, this historic town offers a peaceful and suburban lifestyle while still providing easy access to the city’s amenities. Chelmsford boasts a charming downtown area, plenty of outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community. If you’re looking for exciting local attractions, want beautiful buildings and scenery to live in and around, or just want to live in a neighborly and historic town, Chelmsford has something to offer everyone. If you want to experience Massachusetts’ history and community firsthand, moving to Chelmsford is sure to please!
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Table of Contents
Where is Chelmsford, MA?
Chelmsford is in Middlesex County, located in a cluster of villages and suburban communities to the northwest of Boston. Its neighbors include Lowell, Westford, and Billerica, among many others. The distance from Chelmsford, MA to Boston, MA is 10.6 miles.
Chelmsford, MA Population & Demographics
The population of Chelmsford is 36,271 distributed over 22.4 miles at a population density of about 1,600 people per square mile. The median age here is 42.7, and 11.3% of residents are foreign-born, 60% of whom come from Asia. 53.3% of Chelmsford’s population has a Bachelor’s Degree or higher certification, well educated for Massachusetts but the norm for its county.
Celebrities and notable people who live in Chelmsford include NHL player Keith Aucoin, jazz pianist Steve Hunt, writer Sandra Newman, and actress Kristen Wilson.
The demographics of Chelmsford’s population are fairly homogeneous. The non-Hispanic white population is 82% of the community’s population followed by the Asian population at 9%. Chelmsford’s sex ratio is weighted towards women at 52%.
Chelmsford is a very safe community to live in! Chelmsford’s overall crime rate is 59.6% lower than the national average, with 947 crimes annually per 100,000 people. The property crime rate is 56.4% lower than the national average, while the violent crime rate is 76% lower. The community of Chelmsford is served by the Chelmsford Police Department, which has a staff of 57 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Chelmsford, MA
Both Massachusetts and Chelmsford have the general impression of being expensive, but Chelmsford’s more suburban location means prices drop significantly when compared to the more urban parts of Boston’s metro area. The cost of living index for Chelmsford is only 14% higher than the national average. The median home price in Chelmsford is $614,376, significantly higher than the average Massachusetts home price of $424,700. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Chelmsford and nearby areas is around $2,363 per month for 842 square feet.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four will need a yearly income of $130,740 to live in Chelmsford.
If you want to make yourself a part of this community, you should check out the latest listings for Chelmsford, MA homes for sale.
Chelmsford, MA Everyday Expenses
Want to know what sort of daily expenses you’ll be paying in Chelmsford? Check out these everyday expenses for Chelmsford, provided by Numbeo.
- Gallon of milk – $4.31
- Loaf of bread – $3.58
- Gallon of gasoline – $3.74
- Average Chelmsford utilities per month – $422 (per Doxo)
- Internet per month – $60.07
Where to Live in Chelmsford, MA
Want to know about the general state of real estate in Chelmsford? Chelmsford does not have much in the way of distinct neighborhoods, but there’s plenty to know about the surrounding area.
According to Redfin, Chelmsford’s highest value property is located in the southern and western ends of the town, where properties are larger and more spacious. Meanwhile, the more affordable properties can be located in the areas near Lowell City, where property begins to get more compact and thus more affordable. Your choice should be based on your personal needs for ease of access and living space.
Chelmsford, MA Climate & Weather
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, Chelmsford is a hot summer continental climate. Being so close to the coast, the climate is more or less the same as Boston’s, although slightly more mild due to being sheltered by several miles of land. You can expect lows of 15 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 83 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Both Chelmsford and its near neighbor Boston are prone to severe winter storms, as well as the coastal blowouts from southern hurricanes in rare instances.
Chelmsford gets more than the average amount of rainfall for the United States, with 47 inches per year. Chelmsford also experiences much more than the average in terms of annual snowfall, at 56 inches. The best times to visit Chelmsford, in terms of comfort rating, are July and August.
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Things to Do in Chelmsford
Wondering about the best things to do in Chelmsford, MA? Be sure to check out great shopping in the city like the Drum Hill Shopping Center or the Chelmsford Mall! You should also check out some of the best things to do in the Chelmsford, MA area below.
Friendship Park
Well beloved by locals, this beautiful park contains play structures, walking trails, picnicking areas, and all the rest of the amenities necessary for a lovely day out with family!
270 Old Westford Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Bruce Freeman Trail
Running along a disused railway, this beautiful forest trail is a lovely place for a short hike or jog!
Chelmsford, MA 01824, (978) 580-6190
Garrison House
One of Chelmsford’s British garrisons from the late 17th century, the Garrison House serves as a near-perfectly preserved museum of pre-revolution colonial life.
105 Garrison Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824, (978) 256-8832
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Chelmsford, MA Additional Attractions
Chelmsford is served by the Chelmsford Parks & Recreation Department. See upcoming events and attractions on the Chelmsford event calendar.
Places to Eat in Chelmsford
This community has a wide variety of excellent eateries! Check out some of the best places to eat in Chelmsford, Massachusetts below:
Andiamo
Want to eat authentic Italian food while living in Chelmsford? You won’t want to miss the upscale, genuine, and delicious dishes if the Andiamo Italian restaurant!
18 Boston Rd #100, Chelmsford, MA 01824, (978) 710-7218
Moonstones
Serving an eclectic array of dishes from Central America to Europe, Moonstones provides a unique and classy eating experience in Chelmsford.
185 Chelmsford St, Chelmsford, MA 01824, (978) 256-7777
Nobo
Set in a dramatic upscale environment, Nobo is the premiere Japanese restaurant in the Chelmsford area.
18 Boston Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824, (978) 770-2499
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Jobs in Chelmsford, MA
With reasonably easy access to Boston and plenty of local industry, Chelmsford is filled to the brim with excellent job opportunities! The most popular positions in Chelmsford are Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, and Electrical Engineer. The most popular employers in Chelmsford are Lockheed Martin Corp, Teleflex Corporation, and Triton Systems, Inc. The average salary for a worker in Chelmsford is $86k a year, while the average hourly wage is $22.53, according to Payscale.
See the latest openings for jobs in Chelmsford here, and also see Town of Chelmsford job opportunities here.
Chelmsford, MA Schools
Chelmsford is served by the Chelmsford Public School District, which maintains 7 schools and has about 5,000 students enrolled every year. Of the schools in the Chelmsford area, the most notable is the Chelmsford High School, which consistently tops ratings charts of local schools in the area. With plenty of excellent educational options in the region, your child’s educational success is an absolute guarantee!
Students and others residing in Chelmsford are served by the Chelmsford Public Library.
Chelmsford, MA Statistics & Information
- Chelmsford County: Middlesex
- Chelmsford Area: 23.2 square miles
- Chelmsford Zip Codes: 01824 and 01863
- Chelmsford Area Codes: 351 and 978
- Chelmsford Elevation: 246 feet
- Chelmsford Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Chelmsford: Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED), 17 miles away in Bedford
Map of Chelmsford, MA
Explore Chelmsford’s large variety of things to do, places to eat, and more with this map!
Does living in Chelmsford, Massachusetts sound appealing to you? You’re going to need professional Chelmsford moving help to get there, so don’t hesitate to call Mass Bay Movers at 978-587-3775! Our expert Chelmsford movers will be there with you every step of the way to make your process stress-free and fast! Call now or fill out our form for a free quote.
