Population 6,694 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Merrimac
Household size in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.66 | 2.59 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.54 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.45 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Merrimac run small, averaging 2.45 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.61, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.0 | 39.7 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.7 | 40.4 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 50.0 | 40.8 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.2 | +1.9 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 50.0, Merrimac is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 43.8 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only 25 of the 275 Massachusetts cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 10.4% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 10.2% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 9.6% | 10.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.2% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Merrimac as they are nationally: 11.2%, against 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in the Boston area overall (9.7%).
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Merrimac
Renters in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.9% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 38.4% | 37.5% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Merrimac is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (41.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.0 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.6% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 2.8% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Merrimac: just 3.8% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Merrimac has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Massachusetts cities.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1958 | 1958 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1959 | 1959 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1961 | 1961 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1964 | 1963 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Merrimac are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1979, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in the Boston area as a whole, where the median home dates to 1964. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $956 | $1,171 | $1,085 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,165 | $1,251 | $1,157 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,112 | $1,537 | $1,398 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,788 | $2,051 | $1,860 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$831 | +$881 | +$775 | +$606 |
The median renter in Merrimac pays $1,788 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the wider Boston area ($2,051). Rent has climbed $831 a month since 2006–10, up 87%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.0% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Merrimac
Bachelor's degrees in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.7% | 42.2% | 38.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 45.3% | 44.1% | 40.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.0% | 48.2% | 43.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 40.7% | 51.9% | 47.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +9.7 pts | +8.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
About four in ten adults 25 and older in Merrimac (40.7%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a bit above the national share of 35.6%. Locally, though, the share is lower than in the Boston area overall (51.9%). The share with a degree is up 6.0 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.5% | 89.8% | 88.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.6% | 90.6% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.2% | 91.5% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.0% | 91.8% | 91.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +2.1 pts | +2.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Merrimac: 96.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 7.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Merrimac
| Period | Merrimac | Boston area | Massachusetts | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 7.0% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.1% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Merrimac has been strong: just 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Massachusetts city with 5,000+ people has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Merrimac compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimac | 2.45 | 50.0 | 11.2% | 18.9% | 3.8% | 1979 | $1,788 | 40.7% | 96.0% | 1.3% |
| Amesbury | 1.87 | 59.5 | 3.3% | 0.0% | 2.9% | 1996 | $1,352 | 42.3% | 93.7% | 0.0% |
| Newton | 2.65 | 45.2 | 5.5% | 11.0% | 3.4% | 1982 | $1,657 | 39.3% | 97.9% | 3.3% |
| West Newbury | 2.73 | 49.3 | 6.1% | 4.6% | 6.4% | 1983 | $1,769 | 64.4% | 98.5% | 2.4% |
| Amesbury Town | 2.31 | 44.4 | 10.2% | 31.4% | 6.1% | 1968 | $1,761 | 44.9% | 95.8% | 3.1% |
| South Hampton | 2.96 | 45.1 | 4.5% | 11.4% | 1.8% | 1976 | $1,889 | 52.4% | 98.6% | 2.5% |
| Plaistow | 2.58 | 40.7 | 15.6% | 22.1% | 1.7% | 1977 | $1,654 | 35.8% | 95.2% | 4.3% |
| Kensington | 2.71 | 49.1 | 3.1% | 14.2% | 4.2% | 1989 | $1,740 | 42.9% | 96.8% | 2.7% |
| Groveland | 2.58 | 45.1 | 4.1% | 9.6% | 7.8% | 1975 | $1,773 | 45.7% | 96.1% | 6.0% |
| Haverhill | 2.59 | 40.7 | 13.9% | 37.2% | 5.8% | 1961 | $1,643 | 32.1% | 90.2% | 5.9% |
| East Kingston | 2.70 | 49.7 | 3.1% | 14.3% | 4.6% | 1990 | $1,718 | 43.8% | 96.4% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: New Lexington, OH · Pisgah Forest, NC · Pipersville, PA · Pipe Creek, TX · Pinnacle, NC · Pinconning, MI · Pikeville, TN · Peterborough, NH · Peshtigo, WI · Perryville, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Merrimac. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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