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Dracut, MA

Frequently asked questions

Dracut, MA

Dracut is a town in Middlesex County. At the 2020 census, the town's population was 32,617, making it the second most populous town in Massachusetts with an open town meeting system of governance. The town covers a total area of 21.36 square miles, 0.5 square miles of which are water.

Before Europeans arrived in the mid-17th century, Dracut and the surrounding area were known as Augumtoocooke. Important Pennacook Indian settlements were served by fishing at Pawtucket Falls on the Merrimack River and abundant game in the surrounding marsh areas. From the late 16th to mid-17th centuries, the powerful Sachem, Passaconaway, and his family spent much of their lives on this land.

Europeans began to settle in the area around 1653 and established the town of Chelmsford, incorporated in 1655, on the opposite side of the Merrimack River from modern Dracut. In October 1665, Bess, wife of Nobb How and daughter of Passaconaway, sold the Augumtoocooke land to Captain John Evered, also known as Webb of Draucutt of Norfolk County (the Webb family is associated closely with the town of Dreycot Foliat in Wiltshire, England) for four yards of duffill and one pound of tobacco. Webb had months earlier sold 11,000 acres (45 km2) of the land — which he did not then own — to Samuel Varnum for 400 a hundred pounds; the deed for "Drawcutt upon Mirrimack" was dated 1664. Webb also sold land to Richard Shatswell, who traded it to Edward Colburn (also spelled "Coburn" or "Colborne") for his home and land in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Colburn and his family were probably the first settlers in Dracut who owned land to permanently live on it. (Samuel Varnum lived on the Chelmsford side of the Merrimack River.)

Even though this area, now known to the new settlers as Dracut (Draucutt), was across the Merrimack River from the Chelmsford town center, they agreed to pay taxes and relied on Chelmsford for protection, according to 1667 Middlesex Court documents.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 21.4 square miles (55 km2), of which 20.9 square miles (54 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (2.15%) is water. Dracut is located in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts, zip code 01826, 30 miles (48 km) northwest of the state capital, Boston. The southern end of Dracut is on the Merrimack River, and the town is bisected by Beaver Brook.

As part of a plan titled ‘Make It Dracut’, the town’s Economic Development Committee designated nine Business Districts. With a couple of exceptions, district names mirror those of historic neighborhoods within the town. Each district is visually identified by strategically placed street signage bearing the district name and a stylized symbol incorporating the initial letter of the name. The districts are titled: Bridge Street, Broadway, Collinsville, Dracut Center, East Dracut, Hovey Square, Kenwood, Lakeview, and Navy Yard Districts.

The town places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Lowell General Hospital and Circle Health Urgent Care offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Begin your fitness journey at Define Fitness and Planet Fitness for personalized training sessions. Start your wellness journey at the Moon River Wellness Center, which offers a range of services including yoga, massage, reflexology, and health coaching. If physical therapy is what you need, Bay State Physical Therapy is renowned for its personalized and professional care. CrossFit offers high-intensity fitness programs tailored to all levels. The Greater Lowell YMCA features a variety of fitness classes, swimming, and recreational activities.

Top Sites in Dracut, MA: Four Oaks Country Club Golf Course & Pro Shop, Dillon Mcanespie Park, Farmer Dave's Farm Stand, and Veterans Memorial Park.
 

ZIP Code: 01826. Area code: 978 & 351. Elevation: c. 156 ft (c. 48 m). Area: 21.4 square miles (55 km2). Population: 32,617 (2020).
 

FAQs

What is Dracut, MA known for?

The town has several large ponds, bogs and swamps, and numerous brooks. Its early economy relied on fishing and milling of lumber, which led to its 19th-century industries of paper making and cotton textile manufacturing. These mills attracted Irish and French Canadian immigrants. Some of Dracut’s rural landscapes survive along the state boundary, as do some handsome historic houses. One of the better-known is the 290-year-old Coburn/Cutter House, with its massive beams, huge center chimney, and fireplaces. The building, dating from about 1700, has served as the site of annual crafts fairs in Dracut.

Is Dracut, MA a good place to live?

Dracut is a very safe area, and the total crime rate is 962 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is 104 per 100,00, which is 73.2% lower than the national average, and the property crime rate is 858 per 100,000, which is 56.2% lower than the rest of the US. The Dracut Police Department patrols the town and has 44 employees, including 41 total officers and civilian law enforcement personnel.

What is the median income in Dracut, MA?

The median household income in Dracut is $95,625. This means Dracut income is much higher than the median income in the United States, with city household incomes in the 89th percentile. Education is usually most correlated with income, and in Dracut, 33% of adults have bachelor’s degrees or higher versus 31% nationwide. 10% of cities have higher median household incomes, and 88% of cities have lower median household incomes. Compared to nearby cities, family and household incomes are lower. Median income ranges from a low of $66,042 to a high of $145,707 in some neighborhoods.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Dracut

Merrimack Valley

Massbaymovers

Best Neighborhood

Four Oaks Country Club Golf Course & Pro Shop 

Dillon Mcanespie Park 

Farmer Dave's Farm Stand 

Veterans Memorial Park

Lowell General Hospital

Circle Health Urgent Care

Define Fitness

Planet Fitness

Moon River Wellness Center

Bay State Physical Therapy

CrossFit

Greater Lowell YMCA

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.