Saugus is so impressive! Native Americans lived in the area of Saugus for thousands of years until European settlers arrived in 1629. The area became a site for ironworks and farms, allowing the community to grow rapidly. Saugus was incorporated as a town in 1815 and boomed during the Industrial Revolution and early 1900s. The name “Saugus” comes from the Pawtucket word for “outlet.”
Saugus is best known today for the Saugus Iron Works, the first ironworks facility in North America. Is Saugus MA a good place to live? Yes, it is a nice place to live with quaint homes, safe streets, and family-friendly things to do. Many young professionals and families are interested in living in Saugus MA. But before you start moving to Saugus, you should figure out what the community is like. Here’s what you should know about the Town of Saugus.
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Where Is Saugus MA?
What county is Saugus MA in? Saugus Massachusetts is in Essex County, inside the Boston MA metro area, Greater Boston, and the North Shore. Where is Saugus Massachusetts? Saugus borders Lynn MA, Revere MA, Malden MA, Melrose MA, Wakefield MA, and Lynnfield MA. The town borders several ponds, including Walden Pond, and it contains or borders nature preserves and reservations. Most of the community is a well-developed residential town with culdesacs and small stores.
How far is Saugus from Boston? It is 10 miles from Saugus MA to Boston MA, making it a good community for commuters. However, the MBTA does not provide direct access between Saugus and Boston. MBTA bus routes 428, 429, and 430 run through Saugus, but none of them connect to Boston. Route 430 ends in Malden, and you can take trains from Malden into Boston. If you prefer to go directly to Boston or want to drive while moving to Saugus, you can use Route 1, which runs through the center of Saugus MA.
Saugus MA Population and Demographics
The Saugus population in 2020 was 28,618 people, including 1,121 veterans and 4,776 people under the age of 18. The population grew by 7.5% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density in 2020 was 2,656.1 people per square mile, which is up by 7.7% since 2010. Notable people from Saugus include Elizabeth Bishop, Wade Boggs, and Derek Sanderson.
Saugus MA demographics include:
- 50.7% female, 49.3% male
- Median age: 43.6
- Racial and ethnic composition: 86.7% White (81.7% non-Hispanic), 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 4.8% Asian, 3.5% Black or African American, 2.5% two or more races, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income: $93,737 (roughly 5% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment: 91.5% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 31.7% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 15.1%
More than half of Saugus residents identify as being of Irish or Italian descent. You can find Italian and Irish restaurants throughout the city and community organizations like the Saugus Italian American Club.
Saugus is a very safe community to live in. Here are the crime statistics from the FBI in 2020:
- Total crime rate: 1,081 offenses per 100,000 people (20.6% lower than the state, 53.9% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 254 crimes per 100,000 residents (17.7% lower than the state, 34.5% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate: 828 offenses per 100,000 residents (21.4% lower than the state, 57.7% lower than the country)
The Saugus Police Department employs 67 police officers and 15 civilians.
Cost of Living in Saugus MA
Saugus is in the Boston metro area, so you can use Boston cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Saugus MA. The Boston cost of living index is 153.2; items in the region cost 53.2% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $115,870 a year to live in Essex County and Saugus. This sounds like a lot of money, but it’s $15,000 less than the metropolitan average. Saugus is relatively affordable for the Boston area, and you can find high-paying jobs to cover your expenses.
Saugus real estate can be expensive, though you have many options for homes and apartments. According to Redfin, houses for sale in Saugus MA have a median sale price of $630,000 and a median price per square foot of $366. According to RentCafe, Saugus apartments for rent have an average cost of $2,646 a month.
Typical Saugus* Living Expenses
- 1 loaf of white bread: $4.03
- 1 pound of local cheese: $8.29
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.74
- 1 pound of bananas: $0.84
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.68
- Average Saugus* utilities per month: $192.64
- 1 pair of jeans: $58.88
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses for Boston
Saugus Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Saugus
Saugus does not have formal neighborhoods. Most people live toward the center of town and close to Route 1, especially because Saugus MA borders reservations and nature preserves that are off-limits to developers.
Saugus MA real estate is primarily single-family homes. 23 of the 27 properties sold in Saugus in August 2023 were single-family houses. Properties in Saugus Massachusetts tend to be large, with at least three bedrooms and over 1,300 square feet of space. Many homes for sale in Saugus MA were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s and have colonial or Cape Cod architecture, but they have modern features like spa-style bathrooms and heated garages. You can buy a three-bedroom house for sale in Saugus MA, covering 1,800 square feet for less than $600,000.
You have several options for apartments for rent Saugus, including Avalon Saugus and The Residences at Stevens Pond. These complexes offer studio and one to three-bedroom apartments covering 800 to 1,200 square feet for $2,500 a month. These apartments have great features like community swimming pools, private patios, and gas-burning fireplaces.
Saugus Weather and Climate
Saugus has a humid continental climate with warm summers and freezing and snowy winters. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 81. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 28 degrees and an average low of 23.
Roughly half of days in Saugus MA are mostly cloudy or overcast. The community receives an average of 31.9 inches of snow and 35.1 inches of rain. The rain can create humidity in the summer, with 10 days in July being muggy or oppressive on average. Saugus can experience blizzards and severe snowstorms, though they are not common. Follow the Saugus MA weather forecast during the winter to see when storms may occur.
The best month to visit Saugus MA, and enjoy weather Saugus Massachusetts is September. September is the clearest month of the year, with 62% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. The average temperature is 64 degrees, and the average wind speed is 6.1 miles per hour, so you can remain comfortable in a windbreaker or light jacket.
Things to Do in Saugus MA
You can find plenty of top things to do in Saugus, including beautiful outdoor attractions and unique places to visit. Saugus is also a cool hub for shopping. Square One Mall contains over 100 stores, including major brands like Best Buy and Macy’s. The Shops at Saugus is another shopping mall in Saugus, and it has a Trader Joe’s, Comcast, and Petsmart.
Rollerworld
Rollerworld contains a 14,000-square-foot roller skating rink as well as an arcade and a full snack bar. Public skate sessions take place on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and you can rent the venue out for private sessions and parties on other days.
425R Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-231-1111
Breakheart Reservation
Breakheart Reservation covers over 600 acres and contains two freshwater lakes, a dog park, and over two dozen walking trails. The park is home to free special programs throughout the year, including guided hikes and kid-friendly story readings.
177 Forest Street, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-233-0834
Cedar Glen Golf Course
Cedar Glen Golf is a nine-hole golf course with over 2,800 yards of well-maintained fairways. The course contains some of the most challenging par-3 holes in New England, but many beginners like the course for its small size and beautiful views.
60 Water Street, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-233-3609
Additional Attractions in Saugus
The Youth and Recreation Department of the Town of Saugus plans family-friendly events. You can use this event calendar to see when programs will take place in Saugus parks.
Saugus Restaurants
The North Shore is best known for seafood, steak, and pizza. You can sample these dishes and many more at restaurants in Saugus MA, enjoying affordable, family-friendly, and adult experiences.
Border Cafe
Border Cafe is a casual Mexican restaurant that serves classic dishes like burritos, enchiladas, and empanadas in a fun and cool atmosphere. The restaurant serves home meals you can take home and reheat, letting you enjoy the cafe’s delicious offerings at home.
356 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-233-5308
Polcari’s Saugus
Polcari’s is a family-style Italian restaurant known for its fresh pizzas, baked calzones, and handmade pasta. Polcari’s is one of the most popular restaurants for catering in Saugus, and you can host parties with dozens of people in the restaurant.
92 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-233-3765
Kowloon Saugus
Kowloon is well-known for its unique Polynesian architecture and decorations, including a lagoon and tiki-hut-shaped booths. While dining in the restaurant, you can enjoy numerous Asian dishes while listening to live music and stand-up comedy.
948 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906, 781-233-0077
Saugus MA Jobs
Roughly 15,000 people have jobs in Saugus MA. Health care and social assistance, retail trade, and educational services are the three biggest job sectors in the community. Wholesale trade is one of the smallest sectors for jobs in Saugus, but it grew by 28.7% between 2019 and 2020, suggesting that it could become a prominent sector. Educational services grew by 13.9% during the same period.
According to Payscale, the average salary for Saugus jobs is $70,000 a year, while the average hourly rate is $25.65. Major employers in Saugus include Starbucks, Best Buy, and McDonald’s. You can look for jobs in Saugus using Indeed, and you can apply for Town of Saugus jobs on the town government’s website.
Saugus Schools
Saugus Public School District serves students living in Saugus. The Saugus school district is very small, containing three Saugus public schools. Veterans Memorial Elementary School Saugus MA serves pre-K to first grade students. 54% of Veterans students test at or above the proficiency level in reading. Belmonte STEAM Academy serves students between second grade to fifth grade and has a unique and modern STEAM curriculum.
Saugus Middle-High School serves students between sixth grade and 12th grade. The school was built in 2020, so it contains modern features like an on-site broadcast studio and computer-aided design labs. Saugus High School has a graduation rate of 88%, and 63% of students test at or above the proficiency level in science.
Saugus is not home to any notable private schools or colleges. The closest college is North Shore Community College in Lynn. The college has dozens of certificate and associate degree programs, including healthcare and legal courses.
The Saugus MA Public Library is the main library in Saugus Massachusetts, and has thousands of books you can take out for free.
Saugus Statistics and Information
- County: Essex
- Saugus area: 11.8 square miles
- Zip code Saugus Massachusetts: 01906
- Saugus area code: 339 and 781
- Saugus elevation: 21 feet
- Saugus time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
- Closest airport to Saugus MA: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 8.4 miles from Saugus
Saugus Map
You can find plenty of Saugus restaurants, things to do, and stores using this map of Saugus Massachusetts.
Living in Saugus MA is becoming popular for good reason! Families love the safe streets and great schools located near their homes, while retirees and professionals love the luxurious homes for sale and delicious restaurants.
The only thing you need to do is start moving to Saugus. Mass Bay Movers has a team of over 50 professional and dedicated Saugus movers. Call 978-587-3775 for a free moving estimate today.
