Living in Hudson MA is fun and incredible! The Nipmuc people lived in the Hudson area for thousands of years before White settlers arrived in the 1600s. The first European settlement in Hudson was established in 1698 when a gristmill was built in the area. The community became a prominent industrial center and milling hub, with many people moving to Hudson to work in the mills.
Hudson remained a prominent industrial hub for hundreds of years. The state government of Massachusetts incorporated it as a town in 1866, and it was named after Congressman Charles Hudson. Many people from Ireland, Portugal, Lithuania, and other countries started moving to Hudson in the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in the mills and factories. The last major factory in Hudson closed in 1968, so the community transitioned to become a residential center.
Hudson is now a quaint town and suburb of Boston. Is Hudson MA a good place to live? Yes, it’s a nice place to live with a vibrant downtown district and main street, locally run stores, and delicious restaurants. Hudson is well known for being a food destination, being home to New City Microcreamery and other unique places to eat. The Hudson nickname is “Shoe Town” for its historic shoe factories.
Moving to Hudson may be perfect for you. But you should learn a little about what Hudson has to offer. Here’s your guide to living in Hudson MA.
Where Is Hudson?
Where is Hudson, and what county is Hudson in? Hudson is in Middlesex County, inside the Boston metropolitan area. It is roughly 29.8 miles from Hudson to Boston, so Hudson is a suburb of Boston. Hudson borders Marlborough, Berlin, Bolton, Stow, and Sudbury.
The Assabet River runs through the center of Hudson. Hudson contains a number of parks and green areas and it borders the Fort Meadow Reservoir, White Pond, and Lake Boon. Hudson has an urbanized and developed downtown area and some surrounding cul-de-sacs. However, the area closer to the borders of the community is less developed and contains large green spaces.
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) provides public transportation services for all residents living in Hudson MA. Route 15 runs through Hudson and connects to Marlborough, where you can get on additional routes. You can also use MWRTA Catch, a curb-to-curb microtransit system that provides rides to any town inside the MWRTA system on weekdays and weekends.
Hudson Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Hudson population in 2020 was 20,092, up by 5.4% since 2010. Hudson is a moderately sized town in Middlesex County, with a population smaller than each city in the county. The Hudson population density is 1,743.0 people living in Hudson MA per square mile, slightly lower than the Middlesex County density.
Notable people living in Hudson MA include Paul Cellucci, Paul Ryan, and Pete Manning. Hudson demographics include:
- 50.3% female, 49.7% male
- Median age of residents living in Hudson MA: 44.3
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Hudson MA: 80.1% White (79.4% non-Hispanic), 7.4% two or more races, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native
- Median household income of residents living in Hudson MA: $107,202 (5.8% higher than the Massachusetts median)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Hudson MA: 90.8% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 47.3% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of people living in Hudson MA: 17.4%
Hudson is a diverse community. Over 1,000 residents living in Hudson MA were born in Portugal, and over 900 were born in Brazil. 20.4% of residents living in Hudson MA are under the age of 18, making the community family-friendly. Many families with children and young kids are moving to Hudson to enjoy the amazing businesses and recreation opportunities. Hudson is also a popular community among retirees, as 18.5% of residents living in Hudson MA are over the age of 65.
Hudson is a very safe community to live in, with few people living in Hudson MA experiencing crime. Here are the latest crime statistics from the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Hudson crime rate: 515 offenses per 100,000 people living in Hudson MA (80.5% lower than the Boston crime rate, 63.0% lower than the Massachusetts crime rate, 77.8% lower than the national rate)
- Violent Hudson crime rate: 148 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Hudson MA (54.0% lower than the Massachusetts crime rate, 60.0% lower than the national rate)
- Property Hudson crime rate: 367 crimes per 100,000 people living in Hudson MA (65.7% lower than the state rate, 81.2% lower than the national average)
The Hudson Police Department employs 35 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Hudson.
Cost of Living in Hudson MA
You can use Boston cost of living statistics to make a rough estimate of the Hudson cost of living. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5, meaning that items in the area cost 46.5% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Boston metro area would need to earn $156,019 a year to cover their cost of living.
Housing is the highest expense, at $2,827 a month ($33,924 a year). This means you can reduce your Hudson cost of living by renting Hudson real estate. Child care is the second highest expense, at $2,635 a month ($31,620 a year), so singles and couples living in Hudson MA without children can save a lot of money.
Hudson MA real estate can be expensive, though you have options for both affordable and upscale homes. According to Redfin, homes for sale in Hudson MA have a median cost of $590,000 with an average cost per square foot of $340. According to RentCafe, Hudson apartments have an average cost of $2,534 a month, $700 higher than the national average.
Typical Hudson* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.93
- 1 pound of apples: $2.47
- 1 pound of onions: $1.65
- 1 head of lettuce: $2.91
- Average Hudson* utilities per month: $187.78
- 1 pair of jeans: $67.54
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Boston
Hudson Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Hudson
Hudson does not have any formal neighborhoods. Most homes for sale in Hudson MA are close to the geographic center of town and Downtown Hudson. 255 homes were sold in Hudson in 2024 alone, 194 of which were single family homes and 61 of which were condos. However, there are very few if any mobile homes for sale in Hudson MA.
There is no one popular architectural style or footprint in Hudson, though you can find Colonial properties with symmetrical layouts and steeply pitched roofs that help deflect rain and snow. Most homes for sale in Hudson MA can accommodate large families, as they contain at least two bedrooms and 1,400 square feet of space.
You have a few options for Hudson apartments. Littlebrook Apartments offers upscale Hudson apartments with energy-efficient appliances and spacious closets. The complex also contains a communal clubhouse, an outdoor swimming pool, and outdoor basketball courts. One-bedroom Hudson apartments start at $2,170 a month. Matrix Hudson offers modern and classy apartments with plush carpeting, large windows with natural light, and crown molding.
Hudson Weather and Climate
Hudson has a humid continental climate with warm and sunny summers and freezing and snowy winters. July is the hottest month of Hudson weather, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 82 degrees. Temperatures decline through the late summer and fall steadily through the autumn. January is the coldest month of Hudson weather, with an average temperature of 26 degrees and an average high of 35.
Over 50% of days in the summer are sunny, with a number of clear and mostly clear days in June, July, and August. Hudson weather gets more overcast in the winter, with most days being overcast or mostly cloudy. Hudson gets 36.7 inches of rain and 42.5 inches of snow every year. Hudson can experience severe blizzards, nor’easters, and snowstorms that drop over a foot of snow and create high winds. You should follow Hudson weather forecasts in the winter to see when these storms occur.
August is the best month to visit and start moving to Hudson. You can enjoy warm temperatures, with the average temperature being 70 degrees. Most days are clear or partly cloudy, so you can enjoy the sunshine at outdoor attractions. You can also wear a short-sleeved shirt and remain comfortable.
Things to Do in Hudson
You can find many fun, unique, and affordable things to do in Hudson, including great locally run stores. Ask a resident living in Hudson MA about what to do in Hudson, and they’ll tell you to go shopping. Hudson has a number of family-friendly stores. Metro West Surplus Army Navy is the top Army and Navy surplus store in the Hudson area, while Market Basket is a top grocery store. You can also buy fresh produce at Ferjulian’s Farm.
American Heritage Museum
The American Heritage Museum is the top indoor point of interest in Hudson. The museum contains 66,000 square feet and has numerous unique artifacts dedicated to military history, including 15 tanks, some of which you can ride in.
568 Main Street, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-562-9182
Roller Kingdom
Roller Kingdom is an indoor roller skating rink covering over 25,000 square feet. Roller Kingdom also contains an arcade and a laser tag arena, and you can attend karaoke and holiday parties throughout the year.
5 Highland Park Avenue, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-562-3439
Charter Oak Country Club
Charter Oak Country Club has an 18-hole golf course covering 6,950 yards of greens. The holes contain well-manicured greens and sand bunkers in a tranquil atmosphere with plenty of trees, stone walls, and other serene features. The club also contains three tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and workout fitness facilities for adults.
394 Chestnut Street, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-562-0800
Additional Things to Do in Hudson
The Division of Recreation of the Town of Hudson manages parks and recreational programs for all residents living in Hudson MA. The division plans an annual golf tournament and eSports events, among other interesting and fun events. You can use the Hudson Recreation Division events calendar to see when these events will occur.
Hudson Restaurants
The Boston area is well known for its eclectic cuisine, with seafood, roast beef, and other delicious offerings. You can enjoy these treats and other special dishes at a wide range of restaurants in Hudson.
Kith and Kin
Kith and Kin is a New American restaurant that serves soups, burgers, steaks, and pasta. You can also visit Kith and Kin for brunch on weekdays and weekends, enjoying classic dishes like eggs Benedict.
38-40 Washington Street, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-562-3800
New City Microcreamery
New City Microcreamery is the top ice cream parlor in Hudson. You can enjoy a rotating selection of unique ice cream flavors, including ice cream with red velvet cake batter, chocolate-covered Oreos, and rum-soaked raisins.
28 Main Street, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-333-7144
Jade Chinese Restaurant
Jade Chinese Restaurant is a family-friendly Chinese restaurant with one of the largest menus among Hudson restaurants. You can order combo platters, including combo platters of appetizers like chicken wings and egg rolls, for less than $15 throughout the day, making it one of the most affordable restaurants in Hudson.
12 Broad Street, Hudson, MA, 01749, 978-567-7997
Hudson Jobs
Many people start moving to Hudson to apply for high-paying Hudson jobs. According to DataUSA, 8,191 people have jobs in Hudson, up by 8.6% since 2013. Manufacturing, professional services, and educational services are the three biggest sectors for Hudson jobs. Each of these sectors has median earnings of over $100,000 a year, with professional services having median earnings of over $180,000 a year.
According to Payscale, Hudson jobs have a median salary of $90,000 a year and an average hourly rate of $20.57. Top employers in Hudson include Assabet Valley Bancorp, Plastic Molding Manufacturing, and Vision Government Solutions. You can look for jobs in Hudson using Indeed and apply for Town of Hudson jobs on the town government’s website.
Hudson Schools
Hudson Public Schools is the official Hudson school district that serves all students living in Hudson MA. The district contains five schools:
- Farley Elementary School, a K-4 school
- Mulready Elementary School, a K-4 school
- Forest Avenue Elementary School, a K-4 school
- Quinn Middle School, a 5-7 school
- Hudson High School, an 8-12 school that also contains a preschool
Hudson High School is well known for its rigorous programs. Students at Hudson High School can take advanced creative writing classes, Portuguese language classes, and social studies programs about world history, conflict resolution, and abnormal psychology.
Hudson does not have any private schools, colleges, and universities. The Hudson Public Library serves all residents living in Hudson MA.
Hudson Statistics and Information
- County: Middlesex County
- Hudson area: 11.8 square miles
- Hudson zip code: 01749
- Hudson area code: 351 and 978
- Hudson elevation: 263 feet
- Hudson time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Hudson: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 31.8 miles from Hudson
Hudson Map
You can use this Hudson map to find the best Hudson restaurants, things to do, and amenities to use with friends while living in Hudson MA!
Start Living in Hudson MA
Living in Hudson MA can give you everything you want! Once you’ve done your research on Hudson, you’ll find that this quaint town offers low crime rates, delicious restaurants, and top homes for sale. Moving to Hudson can be easy once you find the right movers. Mass Bay Movers has a team of the best Hudson movers, with over 2,000 moves per year. Call 978-587-3775 for a free estimate now.
