If you’re thinking about moving to Haverhill, Massachusetts, you’ll find a city rich in history and full of many opportunities. Situated along the scenic Merrimack River, Haverhill has a past intertwined with American heritage and industrial success. Originally settled in 1640 as a small farming community, it grew into a manufacturing powerhouse during the 19th century, earning the nickname “Queen Slipper City” for its thriving shoe production industry. As such, living in Haverhill MA means being a part of a rich history.
Haverhill’s historical significance has even attracted notable figures over the centuries. George Washington visited the town of Haverhill MA in November 1789 during his tour of New England, and since then, presidents and other notable people have walked its streets.
Today, living in Haverhill MA means enjoying a dynamic city that blends old-warm charm with new-city energy. Downtown offers a mix of unique shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, while scenic trails and parks provide Haverhill residents with ample recreation options. Its proximity to major cities like Boston also makes it ideal for commuters.
So, is Haverhill MA a good place to live? It sure is. Read on to discover everything you need to know about living in Haverhill MA.
Is Haverhill MA a Good Place to Live?
Haverhill MA is a good place to live. Living in Haverhill MA is great for those who want to enjoy small-town living with easy access to big-city amenities. Haverhill offers a quiet atmosphere at places like Kenoza Lake while still allowing you to access bigger cities like Boston and Portland, Maine.
Where Is Haverhill MA?
What county is Haverhill MA in? Haverhill MA is in Essex County and is situated just below the New Hampshire border. When living in Haverhill MA, you’ll have easy access to several nearby cities and towns. A few popular cities and towns near Haverhill MA include:
Additionally, it is 26.9 miles (41-minute drive) from Haverhill MA to Salem MA.
When living in Haverhill MA, you’ll have a few options for public transportation. The MBTA Commuter Rail provides service from Boston’s North Shore Station to the Haverhill station. Amtrak also provides service to Portland, Maine, and Boston’s North Station from the same Haverhill station.
If living in Haverhill MA sounds great to you, then contact our Haverhill movers. Our Haverhill moving company will get you settled into your new home in no time!
Haverhill MA Population & Demographics
How many people are living in Haverhill MA? The Haverhill population is 67,787, which is an 11.3% increase since 2010. Haverhill is a fairly young city, with a median age of 37.9. When living in Haverhill MA, you’ll walk the same streets as many notable people who have called the city home, such as television personality Tom Bergeron, writer David Crouse, and musician Jon Shain.
Additional Haverhill Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 51.5% female, 48.5% male
- Racial & ethnic composition: 69.9% White (64.7% non-Hispanic), 15.3% two or more races, 3.1% Black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian
- Foreign-born population: 13.4%
- Median household income: $87,675 (compared to median income in Massachusetts of $101,341)
- Educational attainment: 90.5% high school degree (or higher), 31.6% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
Is Haverhill MA safe? Let’s take a look at the Haverhill MA crime rate:
- Overall crime: 1,376 crimes per 100,000 people (1.1% lower than state average and 40.8% lower than national average)
- Violent crime: 579 crimes per 100,000 people (79.8% higher than state average and 56.6% higher than national average)
- Property crime: 797 crimes per 100,000 people (25.5% lower than state average and 59.2% lower than national average)
For the most part, crime in Haverhill MA is below the state and national average. As such, Haverhill is a safe place to live. According to a report from Impact Essex County, crime in the county is down from both 2012 and 2021. When living in Haverhill MA, you’ll be protected by the Haverhill Police Department.
Haverhill Cost of Living
Is living in Haverhill MA affordable? Moving to Haverhill Massachusetts can be expensive, depending on where you are coming from. If you’re used to the higher-than-average Massachusetts cost of living, then living in Haverhill MA should be comfortable. The Haverhill Cost of Living Index is 131.5, making the city 31.5% more expensive than the national average.
What is the cost of living compared to Boston? The cost of living in Haverhill MA is 15% lower than the cost of living in Boston. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Haverhill MA would need to earn $141,935 per year to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Haverhill Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $18.00
- Cappuccino: $6.00
- Gallon of milk: $3.89
- Gallon of gas: $3.61
- Movie ticket: $15.00
- Average Haverhill utilities per month: $211.42
Source: Numbeo*
*These numbers are for the nearby city of Andover, but you can expect similar figures when living in Haverhill MA.
Are you thinking about buying or renting Haverhill MA real estate? Home prices in Haverhill are on the rise, and, according to Redfin, the median home price in Haverhill MA is $505,000 (higher than the national average of $430,000).
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Haverhill MA is $2,199.
Neighborhoods in Haverhill MA | Where to Live in Haverhill
These are a few neighborhoods to consider when living in Haverhill MA.
The Bradford neighborhood, which used to be its own town, is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Haverhill. Located just south of the Merrimack River, this quaint neighborhood offers cozy single-family homes and easy access to the popular Bradford Station.
If you want to be in the heart of all the action when living in Haverhill MA, then check out Downtown Haverhill MA. This bustling neighborhood is walkable and contains several of the city’s best shops and restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of gyms in Haverhill MA in this neighborhood as well as apartment living options.
Northeast Haverhill
Northeast Haverhill is popular among retirees and families looking for a peaceful retreat. The homes in this area are large, single-family homes with plenty of privacy and yard space. Popular attractions in the area include Winnekenni Castle and the Renaissance Golf Club.
Haverhill MA Weather & Climate
Is Haverhill MA a good place to live in terms of weather? After moving to Haverhill Massachusetts, you’ll enjoy a humid continental climate with wet winters and humid summers. Living in Haverhill MA can also bring snowy winters, with an average annual snowfall of 50 inches. After moving to Haverhill Massachusetts, you’ll enjoy an average summer Haverhill temperature of 82ºF. Alternatively, the average temperature in the winter is 21ºF.
Things to Do in Haverhill MA
After moving to Haverhill Massachusetts, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do. From hidden gems to famous attractions like Ski Bradford, there are plenty of fun things to do in Haverhill MA. You can also head up to New Hampshire when living in Haverhill MA to enjoy tax-free shopping. Additionally, there are plenty of attractions in nearby cities like North Andover and Merrimac.
Riverside Park Haverhill is one of the best places to visit when living in Haverhill MA. Riverside Park features tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and more.
Haverhill, MA 01830, (978) 374-2389
Head over to Ski Bradford to enjoy a compact ski area offering night skiing, ski lessons, a ski lift, and more.
60 S Cross Rd, Haverhill, MA 01835, (978) 373-0071
Step back in time at Winnikenni Park, which features an English-style stone castle and walking trails.
347 Kenoza Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830, (978) 521-1686
Additional Haverhill Attractions
If you still aren’t sure what to do in Haverhill MA, then check out the city website for community events and other Haverhill MA news.
Haverhill Restaurants
When living in Haverhill MA, you’ll find everything from seafood to classic American fare. These are the best restaurants in Haverhill MA.
Make sure you check out The Hidden Pig when living in Haverhill MA. This gastropub serves craft cocktails, specialty beers, and delicious bites like fried chicken sandwiches and burgers.
130 Washington St, Haverhill, MA 01832, (978) 914-6800
One of the best Downtown Haverhill restaurants, Joseph’s serves elevated Italian dishes, cocktails, and baked goods.
6 Moulton Way, Haverhill, MA 01832, (978) 374-8288
G’s is a Haverhill Mass staple and offers some of the best food in town. Stop by for a delicious burger, fresh crab cake, or yummy cocktail.
35 Washington St, Haverhill, MA 01832, (978) 377-0457
Jobs in Haverhill MA
For those considering living in Haverhill MA, you’ll find quite a few job opportunities in and around the city. Haverhill’s revitalized downtown area has sparked growth in retail, dining, and small businesses, so there’s always a job to find here. A major employer in the area is Whittier Health Network. Whittier Health Network offers healthcare and rehabilitation services to residents in the area.
Living in Haverhill MA also comes with the added advantage of convenient access to Boston. Commuting to the city takes less than an hour by car, opening doors to one of the strongest economies in the nation. Here, you’ll find major employers like Massachusetts General Hospital, Liberty Mutual, and Boston University. The unemployment rate in Haverhill is 3.3%, which is lower than the Massachusetts rate of 4.0%.
If you’re looking for Haverhill jobs, then check out the city job board or do a quick search on Indeed.
Haverhill Schools
If you’ll be living in Haverhill MA, then you’ll want to check out Haverhill schools. Haverhill residents are served by the Haverhill Public Schools district. This school district contains 17 schools and serves just under 8,000 students. One of the most popular schools in the area is Haverhill High School. Over 30% of students at this school participate in AP classes and the minority enrollment is 50%.
Living in Haverhill MA is also a great choice for older students. Haverhill is home to the main campus of Northern Essex Community College, which offers over 60 career-ready certificate and associate degree programs.
After moving to Haverhill, you can check out the Haverhill Public Library.
Haverhill MA Statistics & Information
- County: Essex County
- Haverhill zip code: 01830-01835
- Haverhill area code: 351, 978
- Haverhill elevation: 50 feet
- Haverhill time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Haverhill: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 37.8 miles away
Haverhill MA Map
Check out this map after moving to Haverhill.
Is Living in Haverhill MA in Your Future?
So, is Haverhill MA a good place to live? Yes! The Queen Slipper City is a wonderful place to live. If living in Haverhill MA sounds great to you, then get in touch with Preferred Moving & Storage. As one of the best moving companies in Haverhill MA, we are here to make moving to Haverhill Massachusetts a breeze. Give our Haverhill movers a call today at (351) 888-3987.
