Moving to Manchester, Massachusetts
Manchester, Massachusetts is a small town located in Essex County, northeast of Boston. It is situated on the Merrimack River, near the Atlantic Ocean. The town was first settled in 1645 and was incorporated as a town in 1722. Manchester was originally an agricultural community and its economy still depends largely on fishing, farming, and forestry.
The town of Manchester has a population of about 7,400 people and covers an area of 15 square miles. It is known for its small-town charm and beautiful scenery. Much of the land is undeveloped or wooded and there are many walking trails throughout the area. There are also several lakes and ponds which offer excellent fishing opportunities.
The town center has been revitalized over the past few years with new businesses, restaurants, shops, and other attractions opening up around it. There are also several historic sites to explore such as the Old North Church which dates back to 1689 or the Jonathan Brewster House which was built in 1730.
Manchester is home to many parks including Harmony Grove Park which features a playground and picnic areas as well as walking trails that lead to nearby beaches; Memorial Park which contains a pond for swimming; Salisbury Beach State Reservation; and Harold Parker State Forest where visitors can enjoy camping and hiking trails through more than 3,500 acres of forestland.
In terms of education, Manchester is served by three public schools: Manchester-Essex Regional High School; Memorial Elementary School; and Salisbury Elementary School all part of the Manchester-Essex Regional School District (MERSD). In addition to these schools there are also several private schools located within the town limits such as St John’s Preparatory Academy (a Catholic school) or The Pingree School (an independent school).
Manchester offers plenty of cultural activities for residents including an annual summer fair with rides, games, food vendors, live entertainment; art shows at local galleries; concerts at local venues like The Cabot Theater or The Blue Ocean Music Hall; farmers markets at Central Street Farm Stand every Wednesday during summer months offering fresh produce from local farms; outdoor movies at Essex Cinemas during summer months showing classic films that everyone can enjoy.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities there are plenty of options available such as boating on Lake Gardner or kayaking down the Merrimack River; hiking at Harold Parker State Forest or Breakheart Reservation; biking along one of many trails throughout town like Mass Central Rail Trail or Northern Strand Community Trail; golfing at Ferncroft Country Club or Bass Rocks Golf Club – both offering stunning views from their courses overlooking Cape Ann Bay.
Overall, Manchester offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax with nature or wanting to explore some culture by visiting one of its many historic sites – this small Massachusetts town has it all.
Population: 5,228. Estimated population in July 2024: 5,335 (+2.0% change)
Males: 2,468 (47.2%), Females: 2,760 (52.8%)
Demographics
Median resident age: 43.7 years
Median household income: $73,467
Median house value: $419,600
Population by Race
Races in Manchester-by-the-Sea:
- White Non-Hispanic (98.3%)
- Hispanic (0.8%)
Ancestries: English (27.6%), Irish (26.7%), Italian (10.2%), German (9.1%), Scottish (6.4%), French (5.2%).
Population by Education
For population 25 years and over in Manchester-by-the-Sea
- High school or higher: 96.0%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 56.0%
- Graduate or professional degree: 22.1%
- Unemployed: 1.8%
- Mean travel time to work: 31.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Manchester-by-the-Sea town
- Never married: 22.4%
- Now married: 58.2%
- Separated: 1.6%
- Widowed: 8.0%
- Divorced: 9.7%
5.0% Foreign born (3.7% Europe, 0.7% North America).