Are you considering moving to Merrimac, Massachusetts? Situated along the scenic Merrimack River in Essex County, this charming small town offers both rural tranquility and easy access to the bustling city of Boston. Living in Merrimac MA means enjoying the perks of a close-knit community while being surrounded by natural beauty, with plenty of outdoor activities for all ages.
Known for its strong public schools and safe neighborhoods, the town of Merrimac MA is a great place to live comfortably. Here’s everything you need to know about life inside of this New England gem.
Where Is Merrimac MA?
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What county will you be in when living in Merrimac MA? Merrimac MA is in Essex County and is also situated on the southeastern border of New Hampshire. This Essex County community is a part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area and is only about 34 miles northeast of Downtown Boston. Communities bordering Merrimac include Amesbury to the northeast, West Newbury to the southeast, Haverhill to the southwest, Newton, New Hampshire to the north, and Plaistow, New Hampshire to the west.
Situated along the Merrimack River, most residents enjoy living in Merrimac MA for the abundance of outdoor activities. When living in the community, it’s best to own a car. However, you can take advantage of the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA), which serves 16 cities and towns in the area.
Merrimac MA Population & Demographics
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The population of Merrimac MA is 6,723. The population of this small town has only increased by 6% over the past decade, and the community is very tight-knit. As one of the most affluent areas in Essex County MA, Merrimac has a median income of $100,321 (compared to the Massachusetts average of $96,505).
Additionally, living in Merrimac MA is a popular choice among families with young children. Nearly 34% of all households in Merrimac contain children under the age of 18. Additionally, about 66% of households are occupied by married couples
Additional Merrimac Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 47.5% female, 52.5% male
- Median age: 48.2
- Racial & ethnic composition: 93.7% White (92.3% non-Hispanic), 5.7% two or more races, 0.6% Asian
- Educational attainment: 94.5% high school degree (or higher), 33.2% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 3.9%
- Notable people from Merrimac: Baseball player Dennis Berran, computer scientist Richard P. Gabriel, politician Kevin J. Sullivan
Before moving to Merrimac, you may want to know more about crime in the town. You’ll be happy to know that the crime rate in Merrimac is incredibly low.
- Overall crime rate: 446 crimes per 100,000 people (68.0% lower than the state average and 80.8% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 149 crimes per 100,000 people (53.7% lower than the state average and 59.7% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 297 crimes per 100,000 people (72.2% lower than the state average and 84.8% lower than the national average)
As you can see, Merrimac is a very safe place to live. When living in Merrimac MA, you’ll be protected by the Merrimac MA Police Department.
Merrimac Cost of Living
Living in Merrimac MA comes with a higher-than-average price tag. The Cost of Living Index in Merrimac is 131.5, making the town 31.5% more expensive than the national average. However, this comes as no surprise as Massachusetts has the second-highest cost of living in the country, according to the Boston Globe.
According to an Economic Policy Institute, families of four living in Merrimac MA would need to earn $131,935 per year to live comfortably in the city. This figure includes everything from transportation to property taxes to housing to food.
Typical Merrimac Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $24.00
- Gallon of milk: $4.49
- Carton of eggs: $4.54
- Bottle of wine: $15.00
- Gallon of gas: $3.66
- Fitness club (monthly): $65.00
- Average Merrimac utilities per month: $183.68
Source: Numbeo*
*These numbers are for the nearby town of Newton, but you can expect similar figures in the town of Merrimac
Are you thinking about connecting with Merrimac real estate agents to search for homes for sale in Merrimac MA? When living in Merrimac MA, you’ll experience a competitive real estate scene. The Merrimac MA real estate market is on fire, with home prices up 11.4% compared to last year and homes only sitting on the market for an average of 10 days. According to Redfin, the median home price in Merrimac is $690,000, which is higher than the national average of $439,000.
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Are Merrimac MA apartments more your style? There are a few apartment complexes in the area, including Regency Village and Carriage Square. According to RentCafe, apartments in this area typically start around $2,000 per month.
Neighborhoods in Merrimac | Best Places to Live in Merrimac
Because Merrimac is such a small town, there are not too many specific neighborhoods to choose from. However, certain areas of the town may suit different lifestyles. For families with children living in Merrimac MA, Central Merrimac is a great option. Here, you’ll find easy access to public schools, large homes on safe, quiet, streets, and easy access to activities like Merrimac Town Forest and Jay McLaren Memorial Trail.
You’ll find several real estate agents selling homes in eastern Merrimac, and for good reason! This calm area runs along Lake Attitash, providing several great options for homes with waterfront views. If you head into the cozy Downtown Merrimac area, you’ll find a walkable neighborhood with plenty of great shops and restaurants.
Merrimac MA Weather & Climate
When living in Merrimac MA, you will be exposed to a humid continental climate. This means that after moving to Merrimac, you will experience hot and humid summers and cold and stormy winters. Throughout the year, the Merrimac temperature ranges from 20ºF to 81ºF.
You’ll want to pack a snow shovel when heading to the town of Merrimac MA, as the average snowfall in the area is 57 inches. This is over double the United States average of 28 inches.
Things to Do in Merrimac MA
There are plenty of great things to do when living in Merrimac MA. To complete your grocery shopping, you’ll want to explore options like ALDI and Towne Market. If retail shopping is on the agenda, then places like Merrimac Plaza, Pentucket Shopping Center, and CarriageTown Marketplace won’t disappoint! These are just a few of the best things to do in Merrimac MA.
Maudslay State Park
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When living in Merrimac MA, you can’t skip out on Maudslay State Park. Maudslay State Park is a great place for outdoor activities of all kinds. This old estate features expansive trails, amazing views of the Merrimack River, and an abundance of wildlife.
74 Curzon Mill Rd, Newburyport, MA 01950, (978) 465-7223
Winnekenni Park
Located in nearby Haverhill, Winnekenni Park is a lakeside public park that is home to a 19th-century stone castle as well as several walking trails. This is a great place to take the kids, walk the dog, or just admire the scenery!
347 Kenoza Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830, (978) 521-1686
Custom House Maritime Museum
If you enjoy maritime history, then you can’t skip out on the Custom House Maritime Museum. This museum showcases the area’s history as a seaport and features ship models, artifacts, and historical documents.
25 Water St, Newburyport, MA 01950, (978) 462-8681
Additional Merrimac Attractions
Looking for more things to do in Merrimac? Take a look at the town’s event calendar!
Merrimac MA Restaurants
Just because Merrimac MA is a small town doesn’t mean it can’t serve up some amazing food! When living in Merrimac MA, you’ll find everything from lively pizza joints to cozy coffee shops. Here are just a few of the best restaurants in Merrimac MA.
Merrimac House of Pizza
Merrimac House of Pizza is one of the most loved Merrimac restaurants among locals. At this homey restaurant, you’ll find home-cooked pizzas and calzones as well as crisp salads and refreshing sodas.
24 Merrimac Square, Merrimac, MA 01860, (978) 346-8361
Osaka Asian Bistro
If you’re on the hunt for delicious Asian cuisine when living in Merrimac MA, then look no further than Osaka Asian Bistro. This popular restaurant serves up classic Asian dishes like crab rangoon, General Tso’s chicken, pork fried rice, and more.
34 Broad St, Merrimac, MA 01860, (978) 346-8828
Towne Café
Towne Café is a classic small-town diner located in the heart of Merrimac. Stop by this cozy eatery for a yummy breakfast sandwich and a cup of coffee.
101 E Main St, Merrimac, MA 01860, (978) 346-7600
Merrimac MA Jobs
Because the town is largely residential, most residents living in Merrimac MA commute to nearby cities for work. Because of this, the average commute time for residents in Merrimac is 27.7 minutes. Because Boston has one of the biggest economies in the country, many residents commute here for work. A few of the top employers in Boston include:
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- Liberty Mutual Holding Company
- Fidelity
- Boston University
- Boston College
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If you are looking to explore Merrimac MA jobs, then check out the town job board or search for ‘Merrimac jobs’ on Indeed.
Merrimac Schools
Are you moving to Merrimac with your children? You’ll be happy to know that the town’s school district is very highly rated. The primary school district serving students living in Merrimac MA is the Pentucket Regional School District. Although this school district serves Merrimac, all of the public schools are located in neighboring West Newbury. The public schools that serve the town of Merrimac MA include:
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- Frederick N. Sweetsir School (grades PK-2)
- Helen R. Donaghue School (grades 3-6)
- Pentucket Regional Middle School (grades 7-8)
- Pentucket Regional High School (grades 9-12)
If your student is more interested in vocational schools when living in Merrimac MA, then Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Essex Agricultural and Technical High School are both great options. The latter school offers 24 different programs designed to prepare students for the workforce.
When living in Merrimac MA, you can grab a good book or find a quiet place to study at the Merrimac MA Library.
Merrimac Statistics & Information
- County: Essex County
- Merrimac area: 8.8 square miles
- Merrimac MA zip code: 01860
- Merrimac MA area code: 351, 978
- Merrimac elevation: 107 feet
- Merrimac time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5 and -4)
- Closest airport to Merrimac: Portsmouth Pease Airport (PSM), 19.5 miles away
Map of Merrimac MA
With plenty of outdoor activities to explore, top-rated public schools, and incredible housing, living in Merrimac MA is a dream! If you are thinking about settling down in this cozy town, let the experts at Mass Bay Movers help you. We are ready to get you and your family settled into your new neighborhood safely and efficiently. Give our Merrimac movers a call today at (978) 587-3775 to get started with a free quote!
