$1,042,510Average Value$624Average Price per Sq Ft12Homes For Sale
An artsy enclave in a historic seaport village
Rockport has a community of people from all walks of life — from the artists drawn to the idyllic landscape to fishermen who make their living off the sea. Visitors flock to the town in the summer for sandy shores and the taste of fresh lobster. Those who stay year-round enjoy winter traditions and a tight-knit public school district. "It's a sweet, small town," says local artist Susan Lynn, the owner of Susan Lynn Gallery & Studio. "With the preserved historical architecture, it really has the feel of an old seaport village."
Welcome signs greet all who enter Rockport.
A Seagull keeps watch over the homes in Rockport.
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Rockport, through the seasons
Rockport shines under the hot summer sun — but it's such an idyllic location that tourists also want a taste. The beaches fill up, and traffic builds in the heart of town. But, there is an unparalleled sense of celebratory activity. Weekly farmers markets start, and the Fourth of July Parade is always a crowd favorite. As the summer wanes, seasonal visitors begin to head out of town. But those who stay enjoy beautiful fall foliage and the annual Harvest Festival. And December is basically a month-long holiday celebration. "During the winter, Dock Square feels like Whoville," Lynn laughs. "The whole town comes out for the tree lighting, and everybody cheers when the lights go on." However, the town tends to empty after New Year's, with many businesses closing and residents heading out of town to escape the bitter winter cold.
Motif Number 1 is a building that stands in the heart of Bearskin Neck and Rockport Harbor.
Halibut Point State Park's rocky shore is a great place to relax in Rockport.
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The thriving artistic community
Rockport is home to dozens of galleries and a thriving artist community. In fact, many say that Rockport is home to the most painted scene in all of America — an old red fishing shack named "Motif No.1." The shack has a whole day-long celebration in its honor. And every year, Rockport hosts participants of Cape Ann Plein Air, an outdoor painting competition attended by some of the country's top artists. But it's not just painting. Movie houses show indie films, a performing arts center puts on dance and theater shows, and a music hall hosts The Rockport Chamber Music Festival. "I'm certainly not the first artist to go: 'Wow, I want to live here!'" Lynn says. "And there's a real community among the artists and local businesses — they all work together to uplift each other."
Dragon Sculpture greets visitors on Main Street outside The Rockport Gallery.
Stop in to Rusty & Ingrid and watch them create beautiful screen prints.
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Fresh lobster and beachy boutiques
The Bearskin Neck peninsula is a corridor of artisan shops and beachy boutiques, interspersed with eateries serving up the catch of the day. Lines form outside Roy Moore Lobster Company, which has an outdoor patio in the back where patrons can glimpse fresh crates of lobsters being brought in off the fishing boat. For a more upscale experience, Feather & Wedge and My Place by the Sea are a white-tablecloth affair, also specializing in seafood. Clothing store displays spill onto the streets, and kids eagerly pull parents toward the nearest ice cream parlor. The area certainly gets busy with summer tourists, but the shops here have so much heart they are beloved by the locals, too.
It's always a good time to get fresh Lobsters at Roy's in Rockport.
Many colorful beach boutiques are found in Bearskin Neck Rockport.
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Public schools with small class sizes
Kids who stay in town for the school year attend the well-regarded Rockport Public Schools system, which has an overall student-teacher ratio of eight to one, meaning kids get specialized attention from their teachers. Rockport Elementary and Rockport Middle both get B grades from the website Niche. And Rockport High, rated B-plus, features standout art and music programs.
The Rockport Elementary School is great place for children to start their eductaion.
Rockport High School displays a large bell outside its door.
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Historic homes and waterside estates
Homes in Rockport could be historic fishing shacks, midcentury colonials or modern construction in suburban cul-de-sacs. Lots are large, often around a quarter-acre, and mature trees create privacy between homes. Rockport has also historically had one of the lowest property tax rates in Essex County. Prices start around $500,000 for smaller Cape Cods and Colonials, but most homes sit between $700,000 and $1.5 million. There are also condo and townhome options ranging from $350,000 to $900,000. And though most homes have proximity to the ocean, those who want their own section of the coast are looking at prices from $2 million to $5 million. However, FEMA categorizes the edges of Rockport as a Flood Zone VE, which means flood insurance may be required.
Rows of wood shingled homes line the streets in Rockport.
Beautiful seaside home stretches along Old Garden Road in Rockport.
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Quarries, beaches and yacht clubs
Rocky and sandy beaches stretch along Rockport's 10 miles of coastline. Most beaches have a resident section for parking, which is helpful during the busy summer months. Halibut Point State Park is beloved for its hiking trails, and for sportier residents, there is also a local Golf Club and the Sandy Bay Yacht Club.
Halibut Point State park is a great place to take the family in Rockport.
View of the Babson Quarry in Rockport.
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Commuter Rail and nearby cities
Rockport is conveniently located along the Boston Commuter Rail, which connects to the big city in about an hour and a half, with a few stops along the way. But usually, when Rockport locals are craving a taste of the city, they travel 4 miles over to Gloucester. Gloucester has grocery stores, big-brand shopping options and a large hospital. However, Boston is the closest option for an International Airport.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Video By
Ruo Zheng
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sue Palomba,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Rockport, MA sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Rockport, MA over the last 12 months is $835,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 3 Lighthouse Circle where you will find luxury living less than a mile from Salisbury Beach! This newer construction home offers easy maintenance, with all updated features and beautiful professional landscaping. On the main level you will find a bright and open concept living/dining/family room with plenty of space for entertaining. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, shaker
The Lucci Witte TeamWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
Welcome to this stunning oceanfront luxury home offering panoramic & breathtaking views of the Atlantic. This immaculate, turnkey condo seamlessly blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication. Enjoy sweeping harbor vistas from the balcony, including the boat launch, moorings, and local lobstermen heading out to sea, while the soothing sound of water laps at your doorstep. The home features
Welcome to 3 Lighthouse Circle where you will find luxury living less than a mile from Salisbury Beach! This newer construction home offers easy maintenance, with all updated features and beautiful professional landscaping. On the main level you will find a bright and open concept living/dining/family room with plenty of space for entertaining. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, shaker
The Lucci Witte TeamWilliam Raveis R.E. & Home Services
Welcome to effortless coastal living at 1 Main Street, Rockport. This freshly refurbished 1-bedroom, 1-bath garden-level condominium offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and charm in the heart of one of Cape Ann’s most desirable seaside communities. Thoughtfully updated, the home features an open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area, creating a bright and inviting space ideal for
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Live in a scenic, highly desirable coastal community where the beach is always minutes away. Renovated, spacious 2-bedroom apartment in affluent Rockport, just a short walk to Good Harbor Beach—ranked #1 in Massachusetts.Stainless Steel Appliances All buildings feature **brand-new roofsIncludes off-street parking, hot & cold water, sewer, trash pickup (**$300+ monthly value**)Only 1 mile to
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