Merrimac Square, looking East, 1875
Merrimac’s story
388 years in pictures
Census counts: 2,237 in 1880, 6,723 in 2020. The archive holds 18 old photos and papers going back to 1875 and 3 maps from 1943 on.
- 1638Merrimac is settled
MerrimacMA
4 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0
Population
6,818
2025 Census estimate · +1.4% since 2020
Typical home
$659K
+1.8% in a year
Household income
$123K
median
Median age
49.4
years
Jobs based here
845
A commuter town
TownGrade
A+
#46 of 282 in MA
Why does Merrimac grade so well?
Few places in the country grade higher. Merrimac earns an A+, 46th among Massachusetts's 282 graded towns. Crime is low: it reports less per resident than 95% of U.S. towns, the median household earns $123K, and CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 83% of the country. Its lowest mark, a C, is in cost of living. Merrimac’s trail density is 1.6 miles per square mile, where Massachusetts’ towns sit at 1.8 and U.S. towns at 0.4. On history, just 26 of Massachusetts’ 325 towns do worse. Merrimac is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 80% of U.S. towns.
What makes Merrimac stand out
Where Merrimac beats most towns.
How Merrimac grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Massachusetts), ordered by how far Merrimac is from typical.
SafetyA+Open →Jobs & incomeAOpen →HealthAnna Jaques Hospital 6.4 miles awayA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 9.1 of 20; 3% of households have no car; 3.5% of workers walk, bike or ride transitA−Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listA−Open →Cost of livingCOpen →SchoolsB+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors14% conserved landAOpen →History4 notable people born hereB+Open →Civic life4.6 library visits per resident; 2.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 198 attractions →Fenway Park and 148 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Merrimac. Close and well known come first.
Big draw34 mi Stadium & arenaFenway Park
Big draw35 mi MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
10 mi Ancient siteAmerica's Stonehenge
32 mi LakeWalden Pond
33 mi AttractionFreedom Trail
35 mi MuseumMuseum of Fine Arts Boston477K visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Fenway Park: Gatorfan252525, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Sean Dungan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · America's Stonehenge: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Walden Pond: Victorgrigas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Freedom Trail: Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Martin~jawiki at Japanese Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Merrimac: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Merrimac, and how to reach them.
PowerTown of MerrimacEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterMerrimac Water DepartmentNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Merrimac’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Massachusetts you can register online until 10 days before Election Day, in person until 10 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 10 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereMerrimac Town ClerkThe town itself; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2023
ZIP code0186001860 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Merrimac.
Merrimac reports less crime than West Newbury or any other graded neighbor, sends most of its workers to Boston and beyond and is healthy by national standards but mid-pack in Massachusetts.
SafetyA+
Merrimac earns an A+ for safety
Its A+ tops all 3 graded towns on its borders; West Newbury (A) comes closest. Violent crime is rare: 3 reported in 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Merrimac’s violent crime rate is 0.4 per 1,000 residents, below both the Massachusetts town median (1.5) and the median of U.S. towns (1.6). Merrimac’s property crime rate is 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
95%of U.S. towns report more crimeA+Safety Grade
| Merrimac | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.4 per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 3.1 per 1,000 residents | 4.9 | 9.9 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Merrimac0.4
Massachusetts3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Merrimac3.1
Massachusetts10.4
U.S.15.5
95th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
97th
percentile among MA towns
3
violent crimes reported in 2025
21
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
SchoolsB+
Public schools in Merrimac beat 67% of Massachusetts districts
Its public schools are run by the Pentucket school district. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
67%of MA districts it outscoresB+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helen R Donaghue SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades 3–6 | Grades 3–6 | 262 | B− |
| Merrimac Heights Academy PrivateLargest high schoolGrades 5–10 | Grades 5–10 | 18 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MA on state tests and graduation
HealthA−
Merrimac earns an A− for health
Within Massachusetts it is less healthy than 61% of the 279 graded towns: Massachusetts sets a high bar. Against the 5,296 U.S. towns with household incomes like Merrimac’s, it is healthier than 58%, a smaller edge than it has nationally: part of it comes with its incomes.
31% of Merrimac adults feel lonely. Merrimac beats the Massachusetts average on 6 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 29% of Merrimac adults have obesity.
83%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Merrimac | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 33% | 33% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 28% | 35% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 82% | 82% | 79% |
| No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES) | 3.5% | 3.7% | 8.1% |
32 measures vs. Massachusetts
6 better25 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Merrimac | MA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 3.5% | 5.2% |
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 8.9% | 11.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.2% | 8.5% |
Anna Jaques Hospital
6.4 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
39th
percentile among MA towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
OutdoorsA
Merrimac has set aside 13.6% of its land for conservation
14 miles of trail in 15 parks and preserves. The biggest place to walk is Merrimac Town Forest, 321 acres with 5.9 miles of trail.
#160for trails in MA
13.6%
conserved · 771 of 5,659 acres
14 mi
of trails · 1.6 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Merrimac Town Forest | 5.9 mi | 321 |
| 2. Perkins Conservation Area | 1.2 mi | 106 |
| 3. Silver Brook Farm | 0.5 mi | 85 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Most working residents commute out of Merrimac
Merrimac has 845 jobs for its 3,403 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out.
Most working residents leave Merrimac for work: only 6% work in town. The average trip to work in Merrimac is 32 minutes. Jobs based in Merrimac grew to 845 in 2023, 177 more than in 2013.
6%work in town
| Merrimac | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 8.5% | 18% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 32 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $123,000 | $120,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 6.3% | 9.9% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Merrimac6%
Boston9%
Newburyport7%
Haverhill6%
Amesbury5%
17 mi
median commute distance
845
jobs based in Merrimac
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
A−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 80% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade A−
Low risk in Merrimac, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 77% of U.S. communities. Since 2006, 5 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Merrimac.
23risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingDroughtHurricanes
5
paid flood claims since 2006
12
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Who lives here
Older than Massachusetts overall
People 65 and older are 27% of residents (18% statewide). 41% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Merrimac.
49.4median age · MA 40
| Merrimac | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 27% | 19% | 18% |
| Median age | 49.4 years | 43.4 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 41% | 47% | 29% |
MerrimacMassachusettsUnited States
Ages · share of residents
18%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma4%
High school24%
Some college21%
Associate’s10%
Bachelor’s28%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
46% women, 54% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±4.6 points. Across Massachusetts, 51.1% of residents are women.
| Merrimac | MA | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.8% | 10.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 4.7% | 9.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.2% | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 14.1% | 14% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 7.9% | 13% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 10.8% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 17.8% | 13.6% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 17.5% | 10.5% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 9.2% | 7.4% | 7% |
| No diploma | 4% | 8.6% | 10.4% |
| High school | 24.3% | 22.6% | 26% |
| Some college | 20.9% | 14.1% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9.8% | 7.5% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 27.9% | 25.5% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 13.2% | 21.8% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Merrimac
Merrimac has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 83°, January nights drop to 16° and about 62 inches of snow falls in a winter.
62″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter19–37°
Spring35–57°
Summer58–80°
Fall41–61°
Oct 12
typical first frost
May 1
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade C
Merrimac’s typical home value is about $659K
The typical Merrimac home is worth about $659,000, up 1.8% in a year, close to the Massachusetts typical home.
$659KZillow home value
| Merrimac | Massachusetts towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,352 a month | $1,683 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 81% | 79% | 73% |
Typical home value
Merrimac$659K
Massachusetts$655K
+1.8%
value change, 1 year
3
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Merrimac
20pages on Merrimac
The big questions
SchoolsB+Beat 67% of MA districts · 3 schoolsSafetyA+0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthA−Better than MA on 6 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC$659K typical home · up 1.8% in a yearWork & commuteA$123K median household income · 845 jobs hereNatural hazardsA−FEMA risk higher than 23% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
4 within 15 miles of the center of Merrimac
Northern Essex Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Haverhill3.5 mi$6,732 in-state tuitionNorthpoint Bible CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Haverhill6.1 mi$14,160 tuitionMerrimack CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · North Andover13.1 mi$53,962 tuition
About 2 of every 100 Merrimac residents are enrolled in college, against 8 across Massachusetts.
A commuter town
94% of working residents leave Merrimac for work
Where Merrimac’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
845jobs based in Merrimac
6%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Merrimac
4 notable people were born in Merrimac.
About Merrimac
Town in Massachusetts, United States
Merrimac is a small town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, located on the southeastern border of New Hampshire, approximately 34 miles (55 km) northeast of Boston and 10 miles (16 km) west of the Atlantic Ocean. It was incorporated on April 11, 1876. It is situated along the north bank of the Merrimack River in the Merrimack Valley. The population was 6,723 at the 2020 census. Historically a mill town, it has long since become a largely residential community. It is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1638
- Area
- 8.8 sq mi
- Elevation
- 108 ft
- ZIP code
- 01860
Merrimac’s neighbors
4 towns share a border with Merrimac.
It grades higher overall than all 3 graded towns on its borders; West Newbury (A) comes closest.
West NewburyNewtonAmesburyHaverhillMerrimac
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MA rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimac | #46 | A+ | C | A+ | B+ | A− |
| West Newbury | #68 | A | C | A | B+ | A+ |
| Amesbury | #214 | C+ | D | B+ | C+ | — |
| Haverhill | #249 | C− | C− | C+ | D | B |
Questions about Merrimac
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Merrimac, MA a good place to live?
Yes, by almost any measure. Merrimac grades A+ overall, better than 95% of U.S. towns and #46 of 282 in Massachusetts. It grades A− for health, A+ for safety and B+ for schools.
Is Merrimac, MA expensive?
That is 5.7 years of the area's median household income ($115,863 across the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C.
What is Merrimac, MA known for?
4 notable people were born here, including George W. Weymouth and Richard P. Gabriel.