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Pepperell, MA

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Pepperell, MA

Pepperell is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,604 at the 2020 census. It includes the village of East Pepperell. Pepperell is home to the Pepperell Center Historic District, a covered bridge, and the 1901 Lawrence Library. The library has a collection of Sidney M. Shattuck's (1876–1917) stuffed birds.

Pepperell was first settled in 1720 as a part of Groton and was officially incorporated as its town in 1775. The founders named it after Sir William Pepperrell, a Massachusetts colonial soldier who led the Siege of Louisbourg during the French and Indian War. The town was noted for its good soil and orchards.

Since its formation, the town has been active in the American independence movement. Being located northwest of Concord, Pepperell never saw a British attack during the American Revolutionary War, though several Pepperell men fought at the Old North Bridge during the Battle of Concord, and a British spy was captured by women on guard at the site of the Pepperell covered bridge (see Prudence Wright).[citation needed] Town resident William Prescott served as the commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill in what is now the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston.

In 1848, the Worcester & Nashua Railroad was built through East Pepperell along the Nashua River as part of a through route from Worcester to Portland. In 1886 the line became part of the Boston & Maine Railroad, which continued to operate trains to Worcester and Nashua, as well as connections to Portland, Maine, and beyond.

Pepperell was also a station on the Boston & Maine's Milford Branch between Squannacook Junction and Milford, New Hampshire. In 1938 the Milford Branch was abandoned from Pepperell to South Milford. Trains continued to operate as far as Pepperell until 1941 when the tracks to Squannacook Junction were also abandoned, leaving Pepperell's paper mill without direct rail service. To correct this, a trestle bridge and rail connection was constructed from the B&M's WN&P line over the Nashua River so that freights could still service the mill.

1941 also saw the abandonment of the WN&P line between Hollis, New Hampshire, and Nashua; as a result, the railroad renamed the remaining segment from Ayer, Massachusetts through East Pepperell the "Hollis Branch". Freight service, primarily to the mill, was provided by the B&M with a local freight out of Ayer until 1981. The Hollis Branch was abandoned in 1982 primarily due to poor track conditions, and the tracks themselves were pulled up in 1984.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.2 square miles (60.0 km2), of which 22.6 square miles (58.4 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (2.63%) is water. Pepperell is located at the confluence of the Nissitissit River with the Nashua River. According to the Pepperell Reader, the town is situated on a long-extinct volcano that helped shape much of New England's geology. Pepperell borders Brookline and Hollis, New Hampshire to the north, Dunstable to the east, Groton to the south, Townsend to the west, and Nashua, New Hampshire to the northeast via the Nashua River. Pepperell is served by state routes 111, 113 and 119.

Pepperell places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Nashoba Valley Medical Center and Pepperell Family Practice offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. CrossFit Pepperell, offers personalized training programs tailored to individual needs, promoting overall fitness and well-being. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Nashua River Rail Trail provides a scenic route perfect for biking, walking, and running. Pepperell Community Center hosts various fitness classes and wellness programs to suit all ages. For a holistic approach, visit AOH Holistic which offers acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling. River’s Edge Spa & Salon offers a range of spa services for relaxation and rejuvenation. 
 

Top Sites in Pepperell, MA are Pepperell Covered Bridge, Skydive Pepperell, and Bancroft's Castle.
 

Area: 23.2 sq mi (60.0 km2). ZIP code: 01463. Area code: 351 / 978. Elevation: 244 ft (74 m). Population: 11,625 (2022).
 

FAQs

What are the demographics of Pepperell, MA?

Pepperell has a 2024 population of 2,039. Pepperell is currently declining at a rate of -3.91% annually and its population has decreased by -24.06% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 2,685 in 2020. The average household income in Pepperell is $105,844 with a poverty rate of 10.57%. The median age in Pepperell is 47.6 years: 44.4 years for males, and 51.2 years for females. the racial composition of Pepperell was White: 83.22%, Two or more races: 7.85%, Asian: 6.3%, Black or African American: 2.4%, and Other race: 0.23%.

Is Pepperell, MA a nice town?

Pepperell is a suburb of Boston with a population of 11,625. Pepperell is in Middlesex County. Living in Pepperell offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Pepperell, there are a lot of parks. Residents of Pepperell tend to be liberal. The public schools in Pepperell are above average.

What is the crime rate in Pepperell MA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 6 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Pepperell is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 66% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Pepperell is one in 157. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Pepperell‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 51% of the state's cities and towns. Compared to other communities of similar population size, Pepperell has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Pepperell is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Pepperell

Niche

World Population Review

Neighborhood Scout

Pepperell Covered Bridge

Skydive Pepperell

Bancroft's Castle

Nashoba Valley Medical Center

CrossFit Pepperell

Pepperell Family Practice

Nashua River Rail Trail

Pepperell Community Center

AOH Holistic 

River’s Edge Spa & Salon

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