Are you looking for the perfect small town in New England offering a rural atmosphere, friendly residents and unique attractions? Maybe living in Mendon, MA is the perfect option. Mendon is a town in south-central Massachusetts, known for its rich history as an important center of the American Industrial Revolution.
Mendon was first settled in 1660 and incorporated in 1667 after settlers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased a patch of land from the Nipmuc Native American tribe. The initial settlement was much larger than the town is today and included the modern-day towns of Milford, Bellingham, Hopedale, Uxbridge, Upton, Blackstone, Northbridge, and Millville. That’s why it’s sometimes referred to by the nickname, “Mother Mendon”.
Today, Mendon is a good place to live for families and older people seeking a quiet, rural community with a small-town feel. If you’re considering a short visit to experience the town before making a move, or just planning a peaceful getaway, platforms like a Family Vacation Rental can give you a cozy and convenient home base while exploring all Mendon has to offer. Here is a closer look at what the town is really like.
Where Is Mendon, MA?
The town of Mendon MA is in Worcester County, southeast of Worcester. It’s about 8 miles north of the Rhode Island border and 40 miles southwest of Boston. It’s home to Nipmuc Pond, named after the Native American tribe that was once living in Mendon MA.
Route 16 is the main thoroughfare in Mendon, and it offers access to other nearby highways, like Route 146 and I-495. Surrounding towns include Bellingham, Milford, Northbridge, Hopedale, Uxbrigde, and Blackstone.
It’s 24 miles or a 32-minute drive from Mendon, MA to Worcester, MA.
Mendon Population and Demographics
According to the 2020 census, the Mendon, MA, population is 6,228. It’s a very spacious, rural community, and the population density is only 352 people per square mile. However, the number of people living in Mendon MA has gradually increased over the years and went up by 6.6% between 2010 and 2020.
Mendon is a fairly affluent town popular with many families living in Mendon MA. In Mendon, 24% of residents are under 18, and 30% are in their 40s and 50s. The median household income among residents living in Mendon MA is $129,837, which is 28% higher than the rest of Massachusetts.
Plenty of famous residents enjoyed living in Mendon, MA, including Lydia Taft, the first woman to legally vote in colonial America, and US Congressman Benjamin Adams.
The town isn’t the most diverse, and the Mendon population is 93.7% white (92.1% white, non-Hispanic), 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% Black, 0.4% Asian, and 3.8% two or more races.
Other Mendon MA Demographics
- The median age is 43.9 years old
- Mendon residents living in Mendon MA are 52% female and 48% male
- 98% of people living in Mendon MA have a high school diploma, and 53.7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 11.1%
Mendon MA is safe. The Mendon crime rate is only 412 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 70.4% lower than the Massachusetts crime rate and 82.3% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 80.4% lower than the statewide average and 83% lower than the rest of the US.
The property crime rate is 349 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 67.4% lower than the rest of Massachusetts and 82.1% lower than the rest of the country.
The Mendon Police Department handles crime in the community with the assistance of 14 sworn officers and two civilian employees.
Cost of Living in Mendon MA
The cost of living in Mendon MA is another possible consideration if you plan on moving there. The cost of living index is a good way to assess the affordability of an area. It compares typical consumer prices to the rest of the US, which is represented by 100.
According to the Economic Research Institute, the COLI is 119, indicating the cost of living in Mendon MA, is about 19% more expensive than the typical US city. The Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator is also a good resource. It shows that the average family of four with two adults and two kids living in Mendon MA needs to earn $125,861 per year to afford the cost of living in Worcester County.
Typical Expenses of living in Mendon MA
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.63
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $3.72
- Loaf of fresh white bread: $3.40
- Cappuccino: $3.98
- 12 oz bottle of water: $1.72
- Bottle of wine: $12.50
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $4.96
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.34
- Average Mendon monthly utility bill: $118.73 per month
Source: Numbeo
*Numbers reflect the general Worcester area but will be similar for anyone living in Mendon MA
Mendon real estate is relatively affordable by Massachusetts standards. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Mendon MA is $600,000, which is 20% lower than the rest of Massachusetts. The median price per square foot of houses for sale in Mendon, MA, is $271.
The vast majority of Mendon MA real estate is owner-occupied, and only 9% of homes are rented out. Tenants moving to Mendon will find a few options. According to RentCafe, 69% of rentals are in smaller buildings, and 23% are single family homes for rent in Mendon, Massachusetts. Rent prices range from $3500 to $4700 per month for a two bedroom.
Mendon Neighborhoods
Living in Mendon MA offers a rural atmosphere with a calm pace of life and fun attractions. You’ll find a variety of peaceful neighborhoods with spacious lots and affordable homes. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods to check out if you plan on moving to Mendon.
Miscoe Springs | A Sophisticated Neighborhood with New Construction Homes
Situated on the border between Mendon and Upton, Miscoe Springs is a 67-acre neighborhood of four-bedroom, new-construction homes starting at $900,000.
The Willow | A Peaceful Community Immersed In Nature
The Willow is a 25-acre community of ranch-style homes with walking trails, a pod, a gazebo, and other attractive features. It’s great for anyone living in Mendon MA who wants a safe, walkable community.
Mendon Center Historic District | A Historic Neighborhood With Unique Architecture
Located in the center of town, the Mendon Center Historic District features a range of shops and residential homes dating back to the 18th-20th century. It’s great for any architecture buffs living in Mendon MA.
Mendon MA Weather & Climate
The weather in Mendon, MA, is fairly typical for what you might expect in any New England town. It has a humid continental climate, which means warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
Temperatures typically range from 19°F to 82°F, although it can get as cold as 4°F and as hot as 89°F. The best time to visit anyone living in Mendon MA is June to September.
Get ready for moisture if you plan on moving to Mendon. The town averages 49 inches of rain and 43 inches of snow every year, so make sure to bring an umbrella and snow boots.
Things to Do in Mendon
From drive-in theaters to public zoos, you’ll find many fun things to do in Mendon MA. You’ll find a few shops and restaurants along Route 16, including Country Hills Plaza and the Blessing Home Store. The Wrentham Premium Outlets is just a quick drive away in Wrentham for shoppers living in Mendon MA looking for name brand retailers. Other than shopping, here are a few other examples of fun things to do in Mendon, MA.
Mendon Twin Drive-In
The Mendon Twin Drive-In is one of the last true drive-in movie theaters in Massachusetts. It can accommodate up to 800 cars and features new releases, a snack bar, and a beer garden. It’s a great spot for those living in Mendon MA planning a family outing or date night.
35 Milford St, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 473-4958
Southwick’s Zoo
The Southwick Zoo in Mendon, MA, is one of Worcester County’s most famous attractions and the largest zoo in New England. It’s one of the best things to do in Mendon with kids, with over 850 animals across 162 species, including four types of big cats, exotic birds, and the largest primate collection in New England.
2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 883-9182
View this post on Instagram
Vandervalk Farm and Winery
Vandervalk Farm in Mendon, MA, is a locally owned winery with seasonal offerings, including Christmas tree cuttings, mulled wine, sangria, and more, perfect for wine aficionados living in Mendon MA.
25 Lovell St, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 478-9463
Additional Mendon Attractions
For those who need more ideas for fun things to do while living in Mendon MA, the Mendon Parks and Recreation Department has a list of facilities and upcoming events on its website.
Mendon Restaurants
You’ll find a wide range of dining options, including steak, seafood, and pizza in Mendon MA. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Mendon MA.
Alicante Restaurant and Lounge
Alicante’s Mendon is one of the top restaurants in Mendon MA if you like Mediterranean and global-inspired cuisine. It emphasizes fresh, local ingredients and offers interesting options for seafood lovers living in Mendon MA, such as lobster ravioli and crab cake eggs benedict.
84 Uxbridge Rd, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 634-8188
View this post on Instagram
New England Steak and Seafood
New England Steak and Seafood is a family-owned Mendon, MA, restaurant that is a staple in the local community, offering an extensive surf-n-turf menu and a charming fireplace.
11 Uxbridge Rd, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 473-5079
Hide-A-Way Pizza
Hide-A-Way is a classic Mendon, MA pizza restaurant known for its build-your-own pizzas, chicken finger baskets, pasta dinners, and other classics.
95 Uxbridge Rd, Mendon, MA 01756 (508) 478-0600
Jobs in Mendon
Looking for jobs in Mendon MA? As a small, rural town, living in Mendon MA means you’ll find limited job opportunities in the town itself. However, most people can find stable employment in Worcester and the surrounding areas. The primary industries in Worcester County are manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. The local economy is also supported by strong clusters of advanced manufacturing, robotics, biotech, bio-manufacturing, computer sciences, and other high-tech sectors.
Top companies in Worcester County employ residents living in Mendon MA. Saint Gobain is a French industrial manufacturer with offices in Worcester, and Dell Technologies is an IT solutions company with offices in Hopkinton. IPG Photonics is also a tech company specializing in fiber laser technology with a presence in Worcester County. Notable healthcare institutions providing jobs for residents living in Mendon MA include UMass Memorial Medical Center and Saint Vincent Hospital.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Worcester is $77,000 per year. From warehouse workers to front desk attendants, employment seekers will find many fantastic Mendon jobs available. For more jobs, you can also visit the local government’s website or the Mendon Town Hall, MA.
Mendon Schools
Mendon is part of the Mendon-Upton Regional School District, which serves students living in Mendon MA, and the neighboring community of Upton. The district consists of four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
The two elementary schools serving pre-K through 4th grade are Henry P. Clough Elementary School, in Mendon, and Memorial Elementary School, in Upton. Miscoe Middle School (located in Mendon) serves 5th through 8th grade, and Nipmuc Regional High School (located in Upton) handles 9th through 12th grade.
Nipmuc Region is highly regarded and ranks 130th in the state of Massachusetts, with a 99% graduation rate and 68% AP participation rate.
Bethany Christian Academy is also a notable private school in Mendon, MA. Residents have access to the Taft Public Library for books and community events.
Mendon Statistics & Information
- Mendon County: Worcester
- Mendon area: 18.3 square miles
- Mendon zip code: 01756
- Mendon area code: 508 / 774
- Mendon elevation: 330 ft
- Mendon time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
- The closest airport to Mendon: The Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) is 27 miles away
Mendon MA Map
Explore more activities, attractions, and fun things to do while living in Mendon MA with this map.
Thinking About Moving to Mendon?
Now that you know all about what living in Mendon MA is really like, you’re ready to plan your relocation. When the day comes, you can trust the award-winning Mendon movers at Mass Bay for a stress-free moving experience. Call (978) 587-3775 today for a free quote.
