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Peabody, MA

Frequently asked questions

Peabody, MA

Peabody is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 54,481 at the time of the 2020 United States Census. Peabody is located in the North Shore region of Massachusetts and is known for its rich industrial history.

The area was long inhabited by Native American people known as the Naumkeag.

The area was settled as part of Salem in 1626 by a small group of English colonists from Cape Ann led by Roger Conant. It was subsequently referred to as the Northfields, Salem Farms, and Brooksby. Several area residents were accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials of the late 17th century, three of whom were executed (John Proctor, Giles Corey, and Martha Corey).

In 1752, the area was set off from Salem, and incorporated as a district of Danvers. It was referred to as "the South Parish", associated with a church located in present-day Peabody Square. In 1855, the community broke away from Danvers and was incorporated as the independent town of South Danvers. The name was changed to Peabody on April 30, 1868, in honor of George Peabody, a noted philanthropist born in present-day Peabody, widely regarded as the "father of modern philanthropy". It was granted city status in 1916. The western, less densely populated area of town is often separately, yet unofficially, referred to as West Peabody.

Peabody started as a farming community, but its rivers and streams attracted mills that operated by water power. During the 18th century, Peabody's Central Street corridor was a hub of pottery manufacturing, especially redware. In particular, Peabody was a major center of New England's leather industry, which attracted immigrants from all around the world.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 square miles (43.5 km2), of which 16.2 square miles (42.0 km2) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.5 km2), or 3.46%, is water. The northwestern border of Peabody lies along the Ipswich River, with brooks feeding it, and the Waters River, a tributary of the Danvers River, drains the northeast part of town. Several other ponds and a portion of Suntaug Lake lie within the town. The largest protected portion of the city is the Brooksby Farm, whose land includes the Nathaniel Felton Houses.

The city is wedge-shaped, with the city center located in the wider southeast end. The neighborhood of South Peabody lies south of it, and the more suburban neighborhood of West Peabody, where the high school is, lies to the northwest of the city center, separated by the highways and the Proctor neighborhood. Peabody's center is 2 miles (3 km) from the center of Salem, 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Boston, 18 miles (29 km) west-southwest of Gloucester, and 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Lawrence. Peabody is also bordered by Middleton to the northwest, Danvers to the north, Salem to the east, Lynn to the south, and Lynnfield to the southwest.

Peabody places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Lawrence General Hospital is a private, non-profit community hospital providing the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire with patient-centered, compassionate, and quality health care for the whole family. Peabody Sports and Fitness has become a premier strength and conditioning facility in Massachusetts. For those looking to stay fit, Body Ambition and Choice Fitness offer highly-rated interval training and personal fitness programs. Yoga enthusiasts can visit The Salty Buddha for a variety of yoga classes suitable for all levels. For outdoor activities, the scenic Bonfanti Trail provides excellent options for walking, hiking, and enjoying nature. Gymja Warrior offers unique fitness experiences with obstacle courses inspired by the popular TV show. Experience different kinds of fitness through dance from Dance with Dena and Zello Dance Studios.

Top sites in Peabody, MA are The Witch House at Salem, Brooksby Farm, Witch Dungeon Museum, and Peabody Essex Museum.

Population: 54,056 (2023). ZIP codes: 01960–01961. Area codes: 351/978. Elevation: 17 ft (5 m). Area: 16.8 square miles (43.5 km2).

FAQs

What is Peabody, MA famous for?

The area’s many waterways led to the development of more mills, particularly tanneries, in the 1800s through the mid-1900s. Peabody was colloquially called Leather City or Tanner City. The tanneries attracted many immigrants, among them Irish, Russians, Turks and Kurds. By 1915, a third of the city’s residents were immigrants. Today, Peabody is known for the Northshore Mall (originally opened in 1958), Centennial Park (home to medical and technology companies), and the historic Brooksby Farm.

Is Peabody, MA a wealthy town?

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($109,583), Public Administration ($88,455), and Manufacturing ($82,684). The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Information ($63,105), Public Administration ($62,795), and Manufacturing ($59,480). The largest industries in Peabody, MA are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,840 people), Retail Trade (3,109 people), and Manufacturing (2,577 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($103,000), Finance & Insurance ($87,930), and Manufacturing ($77,946). In 2022, the median household income of the 22.7k households in Peabody, MA grew to $91,125 from the previous year's value of $83,570.
 

Is Peabody, MA a good place to live?

Yes, it’s a great place to live with low crime rates, quaint neighborhoods, and must-do attractions and Peabody restaurants. The cost of living index in Boston is 153.2; Boston residents pay 53.2% more for items than the average American. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Essex County would need to earn $115,870 to cover their costs. Though this is higher than the national average, Peabody is more affordable than other cities near Boston. The community has safe streets, diverse real estate, and high-paying and competitive Peabody Massachusetts jobs.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Peabody

Salem Witch Museum

Data USA

Mass Bay Movers

The Witch House at Salem

Brooksby Farm

Peabody Essex Museum

Witch Dungeon Museum

Lawrence General Hospital

Peabody Sports and Fitness

Body Ambition

Choice Fitness

The Salty Buddha 

Bonfanti Trail

Gymja Warrior

Dance with Dena

Zello Dance Studios

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