Originally founded as part of neighboring Andover in 1642, the community of North Andover’s motto is “A Town for All Seasons.” Scenic from spring to winter, North Andover’s rural landscapes include a natural lakefront, sweeping farmlands and untouched pine forests. The bedroom community has a population of approximately 31,000, who mainly live in the more developed northern parts of the small town by the Main Street business district. With historical architecture preserved from the 1700s and traditions like a Sheep Shearing Festival, residents can enjoy a slower pace of life in Merrimack Valley, just 30 miles north of Boston.
Homes from the 1700s to new construction
Once developed around the Centre Village, a rural town center, historic colonial homes from the 1700s are scattered throughout the area, although winding roads of homes from the 1800s are more common, which can cost up to $1 million for a four-bedroom. From there, the town expands into midcentury cul-de-sac developments, where homes often start at $500,000. Rarer new construction houses built closer to Centre Village may cost $900,000, while houses on over an acre of land closer to undeveloped land and forests can go for $750,000. Homes in North Andover stay on the market for 12 days in contrast to the national average of 42 days, with a median sales price of $673,000. Due to its location on the Merrimack River, the area’s flood risk is major, and prospective buyers should consider flood insurance for protection.
Attractions and Events
One of North Andover’s biggest attractions, Smolak Farms provides unique animals like peacocks and apple picking among pastoral landscapes. “They have a wonderful little bakery that has wonderful apple pies and cider donuts. That’s a big draw in the fall,” says Realtor Mary Rossi, who works with Coldwell Banker Realty and has over 20 years of experience in the area. At Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, people can admire Colonial Revival architecture dating back to the early 1900s and stroll through manicured flower plots. The community’s largest event is the Sheep Shearing Festival, often drawing in thousands of people to see sheep herding, sheep shearing and live music. At the Fall Festival, attendees can expect over 100 local vendors and pumpkin decorating in a family-friendly environment. “They have face painting, and they have giant inflatable slides for the kids,” Rossi says.
Hiking, swimming and more recreation
Priding itself on its natural landscapes, North Andover offers woodland parks at Harold Parker State Forest and Boxford State Forest. The town’s most popular hiking spot is Weir Hill, almost 200 acres of land with scenic vistas of the Merrimack Valley and Lake Cochichewick, which dominates much of the town’s northeast region. The lake supplies the town with drinking water while being a kayaking destination. Although people can’t swim in the lake, they can easily walk to the swimming beach at Stevens Pond, which requires the purchase of a season or day pass.
Education in North Andover
Students in the area are served by North Andover Public Schools, which earns an A-minus grade according to Niche. It earns an A rating in college prep and A-minus ratings in clubs & activities and academics. It serves approximately 4,500 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. Private school options are Philips Academy Andover and Brooks School. Some nearby higher education options include Merrimack College, which is right in town and allows high school students to take dual-enrollment classes.
Main Street and strip mall shopping
Downtown North Andover is located in the northern part of the community. The Main Street business district features a handful of walkable blocks boasting local restaurants and boutiques. From there, residents can stroll down to First & Main Marketplace, a shopping plaza with more local businesses and a pharmacy. Along Turnpike Street, locals can find another concentration of retail, including two strip malls: Eaglewood Shops and The Crossroads at North Andover. At the malls, people can shop at specialty stores or grab a bite to eat in both chain and local restaurants.
Crime rates in North Andover
According to data from the FBI, the violent crime rate in North Andover has decreased from 29 to 28 incidents since 2020, while the property crime rate has increased from 107 to 129 incidents. In contrast, the nearby city of Haverhill’s violent crimes have risen from 304 to 390 incidents, and the property crimes have decreased from 638 to 537 incidents. The state of Massachusetts's crime rates have both increased during this time.
Commutes to Boston and more travel
Residents of North Andover can get to Boston in around 40 minutes in 30 miles via Interstate 93. They can also drive for 20 miles via Massachusetts Route 114 to Salem for a 45-minute commute or to Lowell in about 20 minutes via Interstate 495 in 15 miles. Public transportation in the area includes Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority for limited bus stops. For a nearby hospital, residents can go to AFC Urgent Care North Andover. The town has a small regional airport called Lawrence Municipal Airport, and the closest major airport is the Boston Logan International Airport.
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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.
