Methuen, a growing gateway city in the Merrimack Valley
Located in the Merrimack Valley and with the Merrimack River flowing through, Methuen was first settled in 1642 and became a New England town in 1726. The 1800s was a period of rapid industrial growth for the town, featuring cotton mills and manufacturing factories. In 1917, the town voted to adopt the city form of government, becoming “The City Known as the Town of Methuen.” Over the past several decades, Methuen has undergone much economic and community development and is now sought-after for its proximity to both Boston and New Hampshire, its business-friendly policies that are creating a steady job market and workforce, and its stable, upward-trending housing market with a 72.2% in homeownership. “Since 1972, Methuen’s population has doubled in size and has gone from 26,000 to over 53,000,” says John J. Wilson, who is the city’s Director of Economic and Community Development. “This is a reflection of the city’s growth and development over the past five decades.”
Methuen has also released the city’s growth and investment master plan for the next 10 years. The plan aims to increase multi-family housing of different price ranges to accommodate its growing and diverse housing demands, continue adopting business-driven policies and improve public infrastructure and the use of sustainable energy and resources.
Methuen has an active manufacturing, retail and service-based workforce. The city offers Tax Increment Financing and the State’s Economic Development Incentive Program to give tax incentives and loans to businesses that promote growth in the local job market. Companies such as New Balance and Heavenly Donuts have facilities or warehouses in the city, and some of the area’s largest employers include Holy Family Hospital, The Loop and Market Basket.
The Methuen Clocktower is central to residents traveling through the city daily.
Heav'nly Donuts has been a mainstay in Methuen for almost 50 years.
Many residents of Methuen are employed ny the renowned Holy Family Hospital.
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From early 1900s homes to new condominiums
“There are three sections of the city that most people identify with: Downtown Methuen, East End and West End,” Wilson says. While the downtown area is more densely populated and has a large concentration of multi-family homes, East End and West End mainly have single-family residences.
Single-family properties in the West End can go for $400,000 to $1 million, and there are more waterfront homes in this area. Houses in the East End are priced slightly lower, ranging from $300,000 to $800,000. Although condos and townhouses are spread throughout the city, there is a greater mix of these multi-family dwellings in East End. Prices range between $200,000 and $400,000 for condominiums, and from around $300,000 to $700,000 for townhouses, with newer developments at the higher end of the price range. Investors looking to purchase a duplex or even a triple-decker building can expect to pay $600,000 to over $1 million.
In 2024, the median housing price in Methuen is around $590,000, which is higher than the national median price of $422,600. Methuen’s housing market is considered competitive as it has more demands for homes than inventory and supply can meet, and home prices have increased over 9 percent since the previous year. On average, homes sell after 18 days on the market, which is faster than the national average of 35 days.
Look out or walk across the Spicket River at the Mills Falls Apartments in Methuen.
Methuen residents can enjoy a maintenenace free lifestyle in the townhomes of Appleton Square.
Colorful multifamily homes can be found across multiple neighborhoods in Methuen.
What were once single family homes have been converted to multi-tenant properties in Methuen.
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From walking nature trails to fishing at Forest Lake
With miles of forestland trails and the Merrimack River, Methuen offers many outdoor opportunities. In the summertime, residents can swim and fish at the 55-acre Forest Lake, where there are also scenic trails that loop around the water. The Greycourt State Park has 24 acres of green space and is home to the Charles H. Tenney Estate, offering wooded trails and hosting many of the city’s annual festivals and events, including the fall festival. There is also the 2.4-mile Methuen Rail Trail that connects Salem to Methuen and Lawrence. “It’s only until about 40 years ago that the Merrimack River could be used for recreational activities again,” Wilson says. “Before that, the river was mostly used for industrial or manufacturing purposes. Now, people definitely appreciate it more, and they can swim or boat here.”
The Merrimack River borders the city of Methuen and is an outdoor retreat for many.
Bring your fishing rod or simply look out along the Merrimack River in Methuen.
The Methuen Rail Trail is an explorative journey through the city's surroundings.
The Greycourt State Park is a runner and dog walkers haven in Downtown Methuen.
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The Methuen Public Schools has K-8 academies
The Methuen Public School District has an overall B Niche grade and a student-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Methuen Public Schools is comprised of four prekindergarten through eighth-grade schools, and one high school.
Methuen also has several private religious schools. Fellowship Christian Academy is a K-12 STEM institution with a B-minus Niche rating. Opened in 2001, the K-8 Islamic Academy for Peace plans to expand with a high school section. On Fridays, students go to the nearby Selimiye Camii Mosque for Friday prayer.
Seven colleges and universities are located within 22 miles of Methuen, including Merrimack College and Northern Essex Community College.
Timony Grammar School located in Methuen, MA, serves grades K-8.
Tenney Grammer School in Methuen serves grades pre-K to 8.
St. Monica's School located in Methuen, is a private catholic school serving grades K-8.
Children in Eastern Methuen can attend Comprehensive Grammer School, serving grades pre-k-8.
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Weather conditions in Methuen
Typical for New England, snow is expected from November through April, and January usually has the most snowfall, averaging about 11.5 inches. Methuen has a humid continental climate with rain year-round and an average rainfall of 1.8 to 3.9 inches. Heavy rainfall leads to flooding and the overflow of riverways, and many residential properties in flood zones may require the purchase of flood insurance. The town’s average humidity rate is 80.06%, which is higher than the national average. High precipitation can damage infrastructure and residential homes with mildew growth, peeling of walls or wallpaper and erosion of wood and furniture. To alleviate this issue, many households have dehumidifiers.
Transportation, city infrastructure and amenities
Situated in the Merrimack Valley, with Interstates 495 and 93 running through the city, Methuen is approximately 27 miles north of Boston and 26 miles south of Manchester, New Hampshire. Public transit options include the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority bus service and a nearby MBTA commuter rail station in Lawrence that provides access to Boston. Amtrak stops at Haverhill Station, which is less than 10 miles east in Haverhill. The Lawrence Municipal Airport, which is mostly used for corporate and business aviation, is about 6 miles away. For general aviation, most people go to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport for non-stop and connecting flights to major U.S. cities.
Recognized as “One of America’s Top 100 Hospitals” by Healthgrades, The Holy Family Hospital, which will soon transfer ownership to Lawrence General Hospital, provides world-class maternity, bariatrics, orthopedics and emergency care. The Child Health Center is affiliated with Boston Children’s Hospital and provides families with superior pediatric care. Those who need mental, nursing or elder care services can reach out to Comfort Home Care, a health agency located in the city.
Retail, entertainment, festivals and historic centers
In addition to a diverse food scene, the city has a large retail center named The Loop, which is comprised of more than 30 shops and restaurants, a 20-screen movie theater and big-box retailers. Jay Gee's Ice Cream and Fun Center is the local entertainment hotspot featuring bumper cars and mini golf. Those into history can explore local landmarks, most of which are located in the Searles Tenney Nevins Historic District. The Methuen Memorial Music Hall houses the Great Organ designed by E.F. Walcker, and the venue features many music and live performances.
Methuen Day is the city’s annual celebration of the community, featuring live performances, an outdoor art exhibit and food by local vendors. For the winter holidays, the Methuen Festival of Trees is the season’s most-anticipated event with over 300 decorated Christmas trees on display and a grand raffle prize.
The Loop is the retail and entertaiment mecca for Methuen.
People always leave the AMC movie theatre at The Loop with a smile in Methuen.
Listen to the live local music play at Methuen Days.
Cruise down the go kart track at JayGee's in Methuen.
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The city has a below average crime rate
According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, over the past year, there have been 116 reports of property crime, including burglary and theft and 27 violent crimes such as robbery and assault, all of which are below both the state and national average.
On average, homes in Methuen, MA sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Methuen, MA over the last 12 months is $577,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
