Living in Grafton MA brings you to a lovely community where the history is rich, the recreation is abundant, and the lifestyle embodies everything there is to love about New England. Incorporated in 1735, the town has seen the United State’s past play out almost to its entirety. Nowadays, it’s a slow-paced locale where families thrive.
If you’ve ever pondered moving to Grafton Massachusetts, or are curious about what the Town of Grafton has to offer, this blog is your ultimate guide to uncovering all there is to know!
Where Is Grafton MA?
Where is Grafton Massachusetts, and what county is Grafton MA in? Located in Worcester County, Grafton enjoys an idealistic location just 8 miles southeast of those living in Worcester and 45 miles from those living in Boston.
Grafton’s geography is broken down into three sections of its own – North Grafton, South Grafton, and Grafton.
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Other immediate towns and cities that surround Grafton include Northbridge, Upton, Westborugh, Shrewsbury, and Millbury. A majority of Grafton’s eastern border lines up against the Upton State Forest, a gorgeous state park.
With the Massachusetts Turnpike running directly through the town, residents enjoy easy access to major Massachusetts hot spots and beyond. The Council of Aging helps with public transportation for those living in Grafton MA 65+ years of age.
Grafton MA Population & Demographics
What is the population of Grafton Massachusetts? As of the latest 2020 Census, there are 19,664 residents living in Grafton MA, offering plentiful peer interaction but in a still-slower-paced and spread-out environment where the population density sits at 862.3 people per square mile.
With 22.6% of the Grafton population being below the age of 18 and 13.5% over the age of 65, there’s a nice mix of age ranges here where everyone can find their place! There are 2.55 people per household on average living in Grafton MA spread across 7,753 housing units, so families are commonplace in this community!
Additional Grafton MA Demographics
- Sex ratio: 49.9% women & 50.9% men
- Median age: 39.9 years
- Racial & ethnic composition: 79.7% White alone (77.1% White, non-Hispanic), 1.7% Black/African American, 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 8.2% Asian, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, 8.6% two or more races.
- Longmont median household income: $181,252/year
- Education: 95.9% of residents 25+ years old living in Grafton MA have a high school diploma, while 53.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 9.9%
If you’re moving to Grafton MA anytime soon, you might be wondering, is Grafton MA safe? It’s quite the safe place to call home, as the Grafton MA total crime rate is a respectable 89.9% lower than the state and 91.0% lower than the national average. This is considerably less than the crime rate in Worcester.
These excellent crime statistics are upheld by the efforts of the Grafton Police Department.
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Grafton MA Cost of Living
Is Grafton MA a wealthy area? With a much higher than average median household income of $118,252/year, the residents living in Grafton MA tend to do really well.
But what is the cost of living in Grafton MA?
Unfortunately, the only measured cost of living index is for the cost of living in Boston and the greater Boston metro area, so we’ll use this to draw insights. Being 45.6% more expensive than the national average, we can expect a similar cost of living in Grafton MA.
To give you a better idea, the Family Budget Calculator recommends that a family of four earn $122,562, so considering the median income and average household size of 2.55 people, residents are typically well-situated to meet these demands.
To break down some common expenses you might run into when living in Grafton MA:
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Water (12 ounce small bottle): $1.77
- Milk (regular), (1 gallon): $3.60
- Gasoline (1 gallon): $3.29
- Basic (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment: $156.57
- Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data: $45.17
- Preschool (or kindergarten), full day, private, monthly for 1 child: $1,335
- 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar): $45.83
Data sourced from Numbeo using Worcester statistics, the closest measured locale.
While the cost of living in Boston is high, Grafton features a much more affordable real estate market that adds to the allure while lowering its own cost of living.
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The median price of homes for Sale in Grafton MA is $555,000 to Boston’s almost $1 million, and apartments for rent in Grafton MA go for an average of $1,930/month.
Grafton MA Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Grafton Massachusetts
There are quite a handful of amazing neighborhoods to call home when living in Grafton MA. However, because the Town of Grafton is broken down into three major zones, we’ll go over these individual areas so you can get a better idea of where to start looking for neighborhoods that suit your fancy!
North Grafton
North Grafton MA puts you the closest to Worcester and is home to a number of excellent restaurants, including Post Office Pub Restaurant and Grafton Grill & Crust. Amenities and attractions like Truth Organic Spa and Wellness Center, the Willard House & Clock Museum, or the mill villages of New England Village add to the dynamic nature of North Grafton Massachusetts, while both the North Grafton Elementary School and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University ensure a diverse and educated population. The median home price here is a lower $516,240, and North Grafton brings out the best of living in Grafton MA as a whole.
South Grafton
South Grafton, not far above Northbridge, is home to Fisher Park, Old Dawes Pond Preserve, and the South Grafton Elementary School. South Grafton also has an awesome dining scene, with First Bite Grafton and New Fancy House Of Pizza keeping bellies full. With median home prices of $562,400, the houses are on the slightly more expensive side.
Central Grafton
The primary and central zone, downtown Grafton, and the surrounding area are where a lot of life happens. There are tons of amazing parks, including Norcross Park and Forbush Sanctuary, so getting outside is easy. The Highfields Golf & Country Club caters to golf interests, while Bushel ‘N Peck serves up must-try sandwiches. Schools such as North Street Elementary School are excellent and accessible.
With historic buildings, many still in use, such as the Grafton Inn, Granfton’s central zone offers the perfect mix of history and modernity, a wonderful place to establish roots living in Grafton MA.
Grafton MA Weather & Climate
The weather in Grafton MA is beautiful, and those living in Grafton MA enjoy a full seasonal range. While winters are cold, the average January low dipping to a rather crisp 13.5 degrees, summers are lovely. Temperatures warm up to an inviting average July high of 82.5 degrees, warm enough for hiking, water activities, or any other adventure. With 197 days of sunshine and 48.7 inches of rain annually, the environment is lush and alive.
Grafton receives 43.6 inches of snow every year, blanketing the town in a layer of white and adding to the fun, and sledding and skiing are just a few hours away. Fall is seemingly perfect, as many describe the best times to visit Grafton as June, August, or September.
Things to Do in Grafton MA
There are plentiful fun things to do in Grafton MA! Be sure to check out the Grafton Flea Market for unique finds or the Grafton Country Store for gifts, home decor, and other treasures. If you want to discover even more activities and local highlights, Smartours provides great recommendations for exploring Grafton and nearby towns.
And when you’re done shopping, the following attractions will surely delight, letting you make the most of living in Grafton MA!
Ridge Valley Stables
Whether it’s a one-time lesson or a lifetime of riding, Ridge Valley Stables offers horse riding lessons for all ages and skill levels! Whether it’s in the ring or on a trail ride through the New England wilderness, this is one of the must-visit things to do in Grafton Massachusetts!
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286 Upton St, Grafton, MA 01519 (508-839-3038)
Willard House & Clock Museum
Located in the original house and workshop of famed clockmaker Benjamin Willard the Willard House & Clock Museum delves into the amazing intricacy and history of clockmaking! Explore these grand and captivating pieces from all three generations of the Willard family for under $10!
11 Willard St, North Grafton, MA 01536 (508-839-3500)
Highfields Golf & Country Club
Does 18 holes at a stunning course overlooking Blackstone Valley sound like the perfect way to spend the day? Highfields is a moderately challenging course where residents can play, hone their skills with a class, or engage in competition, with availability for all ages and skills – a major highlight of living in Grafton MA.
42 Magill Dr, Grafton, MA 01519 (508-839-1945)
Additional Grafton MA Attractions
The Town of Grafton offers plentiful events and activities, while the Recreational Department takes care of the lovely parks scattered across the community. These additional things to do in Grafton MA, or just a short drive away, further enhance the enticement of living in Grafton MA!
Grafton MA Restaurants
The restaurants in Grafton MA are plentiful and delicious! Here’s a handful of local favorites to explore when visiting or living in Grafton MA:
Grafton Grill Grafton Massachusetts
With a scratch menu cooked primarily on wood-fire grills, the flavors here are to die for. As a place to eat, drink, and laugh with friends, Grafton Grill promises the perfect evening out.
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10 Bridge St, North Grafton, MA 01536 (508-839-0333)
Wong’s Restaurant Grafton MA
Wong’s is a local favorite, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant where you’ll enjoy all the classics, like egg foo yong, kon sue, kung pao, and so much more. Open 7 days/week, you can always rely on Wong’s for an incredible meal, even if that’s at home, thanks to delivery options!
62 Upton St, Grafton, MA 01519 (508-839-3020)
The Post Office Pub
We’re not sure which is better – the food, the drinks, or the lively yet cozy environment where patrons gather under the cathedral ceiling at the Post Office Pub! The menu offers a wide variety of American meals, so whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a good chance you can find it here at one of the best restaurants in Grafton MA!
1 Ray St, North Grafton, MA 01536 (508-839-6106)
Jobs in Grafton MA
The economy in Grafton is built upon the leading industries of construction, professional & technical services, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade, based on the number of establishments in the area. That said, educational services and manufacturing employ the most people living in Grafton MA!
Some of the biggest employers in Grafton Massachusetts include:
- Washington Mills
- Twin Enterprises
- Touchstone Community School
- JCSI
The average annual salary in Grafton Mass equates to $48,593/year, or about $23/hour, a sound figure for those living in Grafton MA.
With a mean commute time to work of over 33 minutes, it’s not uncommon for residents to drive to nearby locales like Worcester to pursue their careers while living in a suburban environment.
If you have plans on moving to Grafton MA, you can browse opportunities on Indeed Jobs Grafton or the Town of Grafton jobs page to lock down your next chapter in work life.
Grafton MA Schools
Schools in Grafton are managed by Grafton Public Schools, which oversees and ensures the educational success of 3,100+ students. With a teacher ratio of 13:1, students are well taken care of with personalized attention, fostering an environment where curiosity thrives and potential is nurtured.
Living in Grafton MA means cheering for the Grafton Gators, as school sports are a big part of the community.
A handful of notable institutions serving the area are:
- Grafton High School
- Grafton Middle School
- Millbury Street Elementary School
Private schools in Grafton, Massachusetts, include Touchstone Community School and Silver Spruce Montessori School.
Established in 1927 with funds from local inventor Jerome Wheelock, the Grafton Public Library provides various programs and educational services to those living in Grafton MA.
Grafton Massachusetts Statistics & Information
- Grafton MA County: Worcester
- Grafton MA area: 23.3 square miles
- Grafton MA zip code(s): 01519, 01536, 01560
- Grafton MA area code(s): 508 & 774
- Grafton MA elevation: 425 ft
- Grafton MA time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Grafton MA: The Boston Logan International Airport is the closest major airport, about 46-miles away
Grafton MA Map
Ready to explore living in Grafton MA! Start with this interactive map!
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