Are you searching for the perfect New England town? Then you should think about moving to Topsfield. Topsfield, MA, is a charming New England town known for its rich history, excellent schools, and family-friendly atmosphere. Residents enjoy scenic landscapes, outdoor recreation, and a tight-knit community. Located near major highways, Topsfield offers a peaceful rural setting with easy access to Boston and other nearby cities.
Initially settled as a village of Ipswitch called New Meadows, the town was renamed Topsfield in 1648 after the London suburb of Toppesfield. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1650. It’s known for its natural beauty and for being the home of America’s oldest agricultural fair.
Today, Topsfield is a good place to live for anyone seeking a safe, residential community with good schools, a small-town atmosphere, and colonial charm. To help you decide if this is a good fit for you, here is everything you need to know about living in Topsfield, MA.
Where Is Topsfield?
Topsfield, Mass is in Essex County located within Boston’s North Shore Region and bordered by the towns of Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham, Danvers, Middleton, and Boxford. It’s situated about 12 miles south of the Merrimack River and 8 miles from the Massachusetts Bay. The Ipswich River also flows into Teal Pond in the eastern portion of the town.
Several major thoroughfares are accessible to residents living in Topsfield, MA, including I-95, US Route 1, and Massachusetts Route 97. The Newbury/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail also passes by west of Topsfield.
Topsfield is about 25 miles or a 50-minute drive from Boston.
Topsfield Population & Demographics
The Topsfield MA population is 6,562, according to the 2020 census. Many residents are discovering the fantastic benefits of living in Topsfield, MA, and the population increased by 8% between 2010 and 2020. It has a fairly spacious, suburban atmosphere with a population density of 1,033.9 residents per square mile.
Topsfield is an affluent area full of families and retirees. The median household income is $156,250, which is 62% higher than the rest of Massachusetts. In Topsfield, 28% of residents are children under 18 (19% are under the age of 10), and 78% of households are made up of married couples.
The racial and ethnic breakdown of people living in Topsfield, MA is 85.5% White (85.3% White, non-Hispanic), 5.7% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 1.8% Black or African American, and 6.9% two or more races. Many notable residents have lived in Topsfield, including Olympic athlete Abbey D’Agostino and actress Donna Murphy.
Topsfield demographics
- The median age is 39.8 years old
- 52% of residents living in Topsfield, MA are female, while 48% are male
- 95.6% of residents living in Topsfield, MA have a high school diploma, and 66% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 7.7%
- The average commute time is 24.9 minutes (5 minutes shorter than the rest of Massachusetts)
Like many secluded New England towns, living in Topsfield, MA is very safe. The total crime rate is 425 crimes per 100,000 people. That makes it 69.5% safer than the rest of Massachusetts and 81.7% safer than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is 81.1% lower than the statewide crime rate and 83.5% lower than the national crime rate.
Even the property crime rate is 69.5% lower than the state and 81.3% lower than the country. So, safety shouldn’t be much of a concern if you plan on moving to Topsfield.
The Topsfield Police Department handles crime in the community with the assistance of 12 officers and one civilian employee.
Cost of Living in Topsfield, MA
If you plan on moving to Topsfield, you may also be wondering about the cost of living. A great way to assess an area’s affordability is to look at the cost of living index. It compares the standard price of consumer goods to the rest of the US based on a scale of 100, with 100 representing the national average.
The COLI for the Boston area is 146.5, indicating that living in Topsfield MA is about 46.5% more expensive than the rest of the country. The Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator reveals that the average family of four with two parents and two kids needs to make about $131,935 to live comfortably in Essex County.
Standard expenses when living in Topsfield, MA
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $13.50
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.18
- 1 loaf of fresh bread: $2.61
- 1 pound of chicken filets: $5.81
- 1 dozen regular eggs: $4.33
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.14
- Average Topsfield monthly utility bill: $170.17
Source: Numebo
*data reflects the nearby city of Salem but will be similar in Topsfield
The value of real estate contributes to the high cost of living in Topsfield, MA. Redfin indicates that the median price of homes for sale in Topsfield, MA is $900,000. That indicates homes are 34% more expensive than in the rest of Massachusetts. The median price per square foot of Topsfield, MA, homes for sale is $334.
The vast majority of Topsfield, Massachusetts real estate is owner-occupied, and only 24% is rented out. However, renters living in Topsfield, MA will find a variety of options to suit their liking. The average rent in Topsfield is around $1800.
According to Rentcafe, 68% of apartments are in smaller complexes with less than 50 units, while 23% are single-family homes. Rent prices start around $1700 for a studio and go up to $4800 for three or more bedrooms.
Topsfield Neighborhoods | Where to Live In Topsfield, MA
Topsfield is a small, rural town and doesn’t have many distinct neighborhoods. However, living in Topsfield MA offers quaint, Cape Cod-style homes on spacious country lots almost anywhere you look for a home. It’s a beautiful community that boasts rolling hills, winding streams, and miles of walking and biking trails. People tend to prefer the Topsfield real estate in the center of the city, while the most affordable is in the southeast.
Climate and Weather in Topsfield, MA
The weather in Topsfield, MA, tends to be what you might expect of any quiet, New England town. According to the Koppen classification system, it has a humid continental climate, which means you’re in for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Temperatures typically range from about 20°F to 82°F. However, it can get as cold as 6°F in the winter and as hot as 91°F in the summer. The ideal time to visit a friend living in Topsfield, MA is typically June through September. Plan for precipitation because the city averages about 49 inches of rain and 44 inches of snow per year. So don’t forget to pack an umbrella and snow boots.
Things to Do in Topsfield
Despite its laid-back environment, residents will find a wide range of fun things to do in Topsfield, from parks to golf courses. The best shopping opportunities can be found in plazas near the town center, such as the Northshore Mall, Liberty Tree Mall, or Assembly Row.
The town is also famous for hosting the annual Topsfield Fair, America’s oldest agricultural fair, which offers plenty of family-friendly entertainment and interesting facts of Massachusetts history. Beyond shopping and community events, here are a few popular destinations for residents living in Topsfield, MA.
Bradley Palmer State Park
Bradley Palmer State Park is a 736-acre park on the Ipswich River that offers picnic areas and paved trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities for those living in Topsfield, MA.
40 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA 01983 (978) 887-5931
Alfalfa Farm Winery
Alfalfa Farm Winery is a family-owned vineyard in Topsfield that hosts regular tastings, private events, and curbside pickup of their wide selection of top-rated wines.
267 Rowley Bridge Rd, Topsfield, MA 01983 (978) 395-7937
New Meadows Golf Club
New Meadows is one of the North Shore’s premier golf courses and a popular social club for people living in Topsfield, MA. It offers a 9-hole, par 70 course with challenging fairways, breathtaking views, and a state-of-the-art clubhouse.
30 Wildes Rd, Topsfield, MA 01983 (978) 887-9307
Additional Attractions in Topsfield
- Topsfield Fairground
- Peirce Farm at Witch Hill
- Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
- Water Park of New England
- Klock Park
The Topsfield Recreation Department also has a calendar of events on its website if you need more fun things to do in town.
Topsfield Restaurants
Although not well-known for its food scene, living in Topsfield, MA offers a healthy assortment of neighborhood restaurants serving everything from seafood to pizza. Here are some of the best places to eat.
Alex’s Roast Beef and Seafood
Alex’s Roast Beef and Seafood is one of the best restaurants in Topsfield if you’re in the mood for authentic New England cuisine, with everything from Pastrami sandwiches to fresh-baked Haddock.
53 Main St # A, Topsfield, MA 01983 (978) 887-1222
Osteria Peppino Pizzeria
Osteria Peppino is a mom-and-pop-style Italian restaurant serving wood-fired, brick-oven pizza, fresh salads, and other classic entrees.
414 Boston St, Topsfield, MA 01983 (978) 561-1361
Ili’s Cafe
Ili’s Cafe is a local hotspot for locals living in Topsfield, MA, situated just south of town in the town of Danvers. It serves classic diner food like burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast in a familiar setting.
435 Newbury St Suite 109, Danvers, MA 01923 (978) 304-1374
Jobs in Topsfield
Topsfield is a small, residential area with limited economic opportunity in the town itself. However, living in Topsfield, MA gives you access to larger metro areas like Boston, which offers plenty of exciting opportunities for career advancement. Since 2012, the North Shore saw an increase in close to 20,000 new jobs.
Notable industries contributing to this increase include healthcare and social assistance, construction and accommodations, and food services. Government and retail also employ a large number of residents living in Topsfield, MA. Small businesses still dominate the region, and 84% of companies in Topsfield have less than 20 employees. Jobs pay an average wage of $75.40 per hour, which is $13.30 above the national average.
Top Employers in Massachusetts that provide jobs to residents living in Topsfield, MA:
- Brigham & Women’s Hospital
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Partners Healthcare Systems
- Raytheon Systems
From payroll clerk to shop manager, you’ll find a wide range of exciting Topsfield MA jobs if you’re looking for work. Town of Topsfield, MA jobs are likewise available if you want to work in local government.
Topsfield Schools
Living in Topsfield, MA means your children will have access to fantastic schools. The Topsfield School District serves students in grades K-6. It consists of two schools: Steward School (which offers preschool through third grade) and Proctor Elementary School (which offers grades four through 6).
Beyond 6th grade, students attend schools in the Masconomet Regional School District in the nearby town of Boxford. Masconomet Regional Middle School serves grades 7 and 8, while Masconomet Regional High School serves grades 9 through 12. The latter is very well-respected and ranks 66th out of all Massachusetts high schools with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio and 98% graduation rate.
For additional educational resources, the Topsfield Town Library also offers plenty of books and community events.
Topsfield Statistics & Information
- Topsfield County: Essex County
- Topsfield area: 12.8 square miles
- Topsfield zip code: 01983
- Topsfield area codes: 351 and 978
- Topsfield elevation: 63 ft
- Topsfield time zone: Example: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Topsfield: Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) is 24 miles away.
Topsfield, MA Map
Explore more restaurants, attractions, and activities on this map of Topsfield, MA.
Ready to relocate to this quaint New England town? Trust our top-rated Topsfield, MA movers to make your moving day easy and laid back. Call (978) 587-3775 today for a free quote.
