The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 01860 sells for about $531,300, or $315 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 32 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,352 a month.
ZIP 01860 — Merrimac
The housing market in 01860 remains stable with low inventory and consistent demand, driving modest year-over-year price appreciation. Buyers are primarily families attracted to the area's school district and suburban quality of life. Current market conditions reflect a tight supply-demand balance, typical of the broader Essex County region.
This ZIP code is ideal for families and professionals seeking a quiet, suburban lifestyle with a strong sense of community, while still maintaining access to major regional employment centers.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 32 days on market with 2.1 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 99.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.5% · poverty 9.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 01860, Essex County MA
Merrimac generally reports low crime rates consistent with small-town New England, with property and violent crime levels significantly below state and national averages.
The area is served by the Pentucket Regional School District, which is generally well-regarded for its academic performance and community-focused environment.
The region faces moderate risks from winter storms and potential localized flooding near the Merrimack River, with standard insurance requirements for flood zones.
Economic momentum is driven by its proximity to the I-495 corridor and the broader Boston-Cambridge-Newton metropolitan area, though the town maintains a largely residential, suburban character.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Massachusetts) — Massachusetts Local Property Tax: Ad valorem tax calculated as (Municipal Budget / Total Assessed Value of all taxable property) = Tax Rate per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessments must be at 100% of full and fair cash (market) value.
Commuters primarily rely on personal vehicles via I-495 and Route 110 to reach employment hubs in the Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston, with limited direct public transit access.
The area features access to the Merrimack River for boating and fishing, several local parks, and proximity to regional trails and conservation land for outdoor activities.
The rental market is tight with low vacancy rates, primarily consisting of single-family home rentals and small multi-family units, with limited large-scale apartment inventory.
The local economy is supported by a mix of small businesses, local services, and a significant portion of residents commuting to larger employers in the Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley regions.
Transportation is heavily dependent on private vehicles, with I-495 serving as the primary artery for regional connectivity.
Development is largely focused on maintaining the town's historic character while managing small-scale residential infill projects.
The Essex County assessment process is managed at the municipal level by the Town of Merrimac Board of Assessors.
Parcels are subject to the Pentucket Regional School District and standard municipal utility districts.
Property insurance premiums are stable, though homeowners in designated flood zones near the river face higher costs.
Massachusetts is a non-judicial foreclosure state, requiring strict adherence to statutory notice and auction procedures.
Massachusetts is a caveat emptor state, though sellers must provide a property disclosure statement regarding specific known defects.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 01860 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Canobie Lake Park4.512.4 mi
- Water Country Water Park4.117.6 mi
- Water Park of New England3.817.3 mi
- Cowabunga's Indoor Kids Play & Party Center - North Reading4.518.4 mi
- Fun City Trampoline Park Salem4.311.7 mi
- Canobie Lake Park4.512.4 mi
- Cider Hill Farm4.74.9 mi
- The Brook4.26.6 mi
- Topsfield Fairgrounds4.315.4 mi
- Smolak Farms4.311.2 mi
- Canobie Lake Park4.512.4 mi
- Salisbury Beach State Reservation4.69.9 mi
- The Brook4.26.6 mi
- AMC Methuen 204.310.1 mi
- Hampton Beach State Park4.610.8 mi
- Castle Hill on the Crane Estate4.716.3 mi
- America's Stonehenge4.49.8 mi
- Long Hill4.820 mi
- Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens4.712.6 mi
- Glen Magna Farms4.819 mi
- Salisbury Beach State Reservation4.69.9 mi
- Hampton Beach State Park4.610.8 mi
- Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Gatehouse4.811 mi
- Maudslay State Park4.74.8 mi
- Winnekenni Castle4.64.7 mi
- Crescent Yacht Club4.45.9 mi
- Atkinson Resort & Country Club4.58.6 mi
- Black Swan Country Club3.98.9 mi
- Far Corner Golf4.28.5 mi
- Renaissance Golf Club4.64.8 mi
- Gametime Lanes & Entertainment (Amesbury Location)4.53.1 mi
- The Mall at Rockingham Park4.412.3 mi
- Tuscan Village4.411.9 mi
- Cider Hill Farm4.74.9 mi
- Applecrest Farm Orchards4.58.7 mi
- Burlington4.27.2 mi
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport4.622.1 mi
- Portsmouth International Airport4.619.2 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, and scenic views.
Extensive conservation land offering hiking trails and outdoor recreation.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 17.6% from the nearest retained anchor (prior refresh cycle) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Validation: the flagged $625,000 (+17.6% vs the prior refresh cycle) could not be independently corroborated and was reverted to the prior cycle value pending review; the case is under review in the Command Center.