Community Guide
Jump straight to the section you need, from downtown and the rail stops to the market numbers, Kathleen's take, and the FAQ.
Andover
This guide covers what it is actually like to live in Andover, Massachusetts: a historic town of about 36,000 people on Boston's North Shore with a classic downtown, two commuter rail stops, and one of the strongest school reputations in Essex County. Andover is one of the communities Kathleen serves, and it is the market to understand if you want a town with everything nearby.
Andover was settled in 1642 and incorporated in 1646, and its center still feels like a classic New England town: shops and restaurants around the common, Phillips Academy on the hill, and the Andover rail stop carrying commuters to Boston. Just outside downtown, Pomps Pond offers swimming and skating, and Harold Parker State Forest holds miles of trails on the town's edge.
Historic Downtown
Shops and restaurants around the common
Phillips Academy
The storied campus at the center of town
Harold Parker State Forest
A 3,000-acre DCR forest for trails
Two Rail Stops
Andover and Ballardvale on the Haverhill Line
Andover
The numbers that frame the town, in one glance.
| County | Essex County |
|---|---|
| Region | Boston's North Shore |
| Residents | 36,569 (2020 Census) |
| Distance to Boston | About 20 miles north |
| ZIP Code | 01810 |
| Settled | 1642; incorporated 1646 |
| Government | Open Town Meeting, Select Board |
| Known For | Historic downtown, Phillips Academy, two rail stops |
Andover
Life in Andover centers on the downtown common and Main Street, with restaurants, shops, and cafes that hold year-round. Phillips Academy sits at the heart of town and shapes its identity, and the two rail stops give the town a commuter rhythm most North Shore towns lack.
Neighborhoods range from walkable downtown roads to large-lot streets toward the state forest, with a wide mix of housing. Andover Public Schools serve the town, and both Andover and Ballardvale stations put Boston's North Station about 30 minutes away by rail. My commuter rail guide covers how that commute works if the rail matters to you.
Andover
A few real Andover stops, from Main Street to the academy, to start from.
Andover
Public real-estate data for Andover, Massachusetts, September 2026 (not an official MAR report).
~$1,100,000
Median Sale Price (3-Month, Redfin)
~11%
Year Over Year Change (up)
~21 days
Typical Days on Market
Very competitive
Market Pace
Andover's public-market reading for 2026: a median sale price around $1,100,000 over the trailing three months, up roughly 11% from a year earlier, with homes typically selling in about 21 days. The market reads as very competitive, with strong competition for well-priced houses.
Figures from public real-estate data (Redfin, Zillow, September 2026) and are approximate. Not an official MAR report.
Kathleen's Take on the Andover Market
Andover is competitive: roughly 21 days on market and an 11% year-over-year climb means good houses attract multiple buyers. Come preapproved, lean on real closed sales rather than an online estimate, and be ready to write a strong offer when the right home shows up.
The trend is on your side: a median near $1,100,000 that is up about 11% year over year, with homes selling in three weeks. The risk is overpricing in a fast market, because new listings keep arriving and buyers will compare.
I watch the year-over-year move and days on market together. A rising, quick market rewards clean, well-priced listings on day one, and it punishes the seller who waits for an offer that never comes.
Thinking about making a move on the North Shore? Ask Kathleen, or book a call, and she will walk you through what is happening in Andover right now.
Andover
Andover questions people actually ask. Clear answers to the most common questions about living in this historic town.
Yes, for buyers who want a historic downtown, strong schools, and a real commute option. Andover is a town of 36,569 people about 20 miles north of Boston, with two commuter rail stops, a classic main street, and some of the most competitive housing on the Essex County market.
Andover is known for its historic downtown around the common, Phillips Academy, one of the country's most storied schools, and the two MBTA stations, Andover and Ballardvale, that put Boston within reach. Harold Parker State Forest and Pomps Pond give the town its outdoors side.
About 20 miles north of Boston. Andover Station downtown and Ballardvale Station both sit on the MBTA Haverhill Line, with direct service to Boston's North Station.
Yes, two. Andover Station is downtown and Ballardvale Station is on the west side, both on the MBTA Haverhill Line to Boston's North Station.
Andover Public Schools serve the town from pre-K through high school, including Andover High School.
Explore Andover homes for sale through Kathleen Militello, Realtor with eXp Realty, on her website, Essex County Homes for Sale.
Comparing towns? My full guides to Boxford and Haverhill cover the area north of here, and the hub page for Coastal Communities links every North Shore town Kathleen serves.
Andover
Authoritative first-party sources for Andover information. These links go directly to official websites.
Next step
A conversation is the fastest way to see which Andover fits you: a downtown condo, a house near the schools, or a large lot toward the forest. You do not have to decide anything before we talk.
