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Newburyport, MA

Frequently asked questions

Newburyport, MA

Newburyport is a coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Boston. The population was 18,289 at the 2020 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island. The mooring, winter storage, and maintenance of recreational boats, motor, and sail, still contribute a large part of the city's income. A Coast Guard station oversees boating activity, especially in the sometimes dangerous tidal currents of the Merrimack River.

At the edge of the Newbury Marshes, delineating Newburyport to the south, an industrial park provides a wide range of jobs. Newburyport is on a major north-south highway, Interstate 95. The outer circumferential highway of Boston, Interstate 495, passes nearby in Amesbury. The Newburyport Turnpike (U.S. Route 1) still traverses Newburyport on its way north. The Newburyport/Rockport MBTA commuter rail from Boston's North Station terminates in Newburyport. The earlier Boston and Maine Railroad leading farther north was discontinued, but a portion of it has been converted into a recreation trail.

Newburyport is located at 42°48′45″N 70°52′39″W (42.812391, −70.877440). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27 km2), of which 8.4 square miles (22 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (20.77%) is water.

The city is part of Massachusetts' North Shore; Newburyport was laid out on the elevated south bank of the Merrimack River between the river and Newbury marshes. The shipyards, now boatyards (and still vigorously active), extended along the bank at the edge of the river. They were connected by Merrimac Street, which ends upriver where the bank merges into bluffs covered with pine forest. Colonial residences extend up the bank from Merrimac Street to High Street running parallel to it near the top of the ridge. The homes of the seafaring entrepreneurs line the High Street. Many feature widow's walks, and structures on the roof where the residents could watch for the return of sailing vessels. Nearly every home maintains a splendid flower garden, most dating to colonial times. Various cross streets, such as State Street, Green Street, and Market Street, connect Merrimac Street and High Street. The top of the ridge proved an ideal location for later institutions, such as Newburyport High School and nearby Anna Jaques Hospital. The ridge drops more sharply to the marsh on the other side. Along its margin, a third parallel street developed Low Street.

The river bank gradually descends to marshes at Joppa Flats beyond downtown Newburyport. The Plum Island Turnpike was pushed out over the marsh on a causeway to a narrow part of the Plum Island River just to the south of where it connects to the mouth of the Merrimack. A drawbridge was built there, and the only access to the island was by road. On the Newburyport side a small airport, Plum Island Airport, was built at the edge of the marsh. The portion of Plum Island that is in the city has no direct access to the rest of the city; similarly, there is no access between the mainland and Woodbridge Island or Seal Island, west of Plum Island (the latter being shared between Newburyport and Newbury). Several parks and beaches dot the city, including Plum Island Point Beach, Simmons Beach, Joppa Park, Waterfront Park, Woodman Park, Cashman Park, Moseley Pines Park Atkinson Common, and March's Hill Park. Newburyport Forest is located in the southwest corner of the city, and Maudslay State Park lies along the northwest part of the city, along the banks of the Merrimack. 

Newburyport is located 37 miles (60 km) north-northeast of Boston, 19 miles (31 km) east-northeast of Lawrence, and 21 miles (34 km) south-southeast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Situated 5 miles (8 km) south of the New Hampshire border, the city is bordered by the Gulf of Maine (Atlantic Ocean) to the east, Newbury to the south and southeast, West Newbury to the west and southwest, Amesbury to the north and northwest, and Salisbury to the northeast.

Newburyport places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Anna Jaques Hospital provides comprehensive healthcare services and is well-regarded for its emphasis on patient satisfaction. The Newburyport Massachusetts Vanguard Key Clubs gym and fitness center has the best fitness equipment and 24 access to all our gym locations for members. For holistic healing, visit North Shore Acupuncture and experience their acupuncture and herbal treatments. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy outdoor sessions with Ride the Wave Yoga, while Metta Yoga Seacoast offers a variety of indoor yoga classes. For a unique relaxation experience, attend a Reiki Sound Bath at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio. Boost your mental well-being with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi, which combines physical exercises with meditation practices. Explore the natural beauty of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a peaceful nature retreat.

Top Sites in Newburyport, MA are Maudslay State Park, Custom House Maritime Museum, Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center, and Firehouse Center.
 

ZIP Code: 01950. Population: 18,662 (2022). Area code: 351/978. Elevation: 37 ft (11 m). Area: 10.6 square miles (27 km2).

FAQs

Why is Newburyport, MA so expensive?

Residing in Newburyport is 13% more expensive than the rest of Massachusetts, however, this is mainly due to the city’s housing market. Newburyport’s housing market is considered to be very competitive with homes being sold within 26 days of it being first listed. The average price of a home in Newburyport is $659,000 or $367 per square foot. However, most homes typically will sell around their original listed price, making it a perfect time to buy one of the many Newburyport, MA homes for sale. The homeownership rate in Newburyport is 75.6%, so there are still quite a few people who rent. If you’re interested in renting, the average rent in Newburyport is $1,350.

Does Newburyport, MA have a downtown?

Seated on the Merrimack River, Newburyport has a scenic harborside boardwalk, a charming downtown, and an abundance of history that makes it a perfect destination for a day trip or longer. In the 18th century, the port became a major fishing and trading center. Maritime trade fueled the city’s economy, sparking the extraordinary collection of federal architecture throughout the city. In 1811, a catastrophic fire leveled the downtown, leading to stringent fire safety building codes and the use of brick in the downtown facades. In the mid-1850s, Newburyport was known for shoe, comb, and silver manufacturing as well as shipbuilding.

What is the crime rate in Newburyport, MA?

According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime statistics, Newburyport is safer than 66% of the cities and towns in the US of all population sizes. In Massachusetts, only on the order of 50% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Newburyport. If you live in Newburyport, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 156. The US average across communities from the largest to the smallest is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Newburyport

Mass Bay Movers

Visit North of Boston

Neighborhood Scout

Maudslay State Park 

Custom House Maritime Museum 

Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center 

Firehouse Center

Anna Jaques Hospital

Vanguard Key Clubs

North Shore Acupuncture

Ride the Wave Yoga

Metta Yoga Seacoast

Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio

Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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