Community Guide
Jump straight to the section you need, from the waterfront and the castle to the market numbers, Kathleen's take, and the FAQ.
Haverhill
This guide covers what it is actually like to live in Haverhill, Massachusetts: a Merrimack River city of 67,787 people on Boston's North Shore where downtown renewal, a waterfront, and a direct rail line to Boston are rewriting the story. Haverhill is one of the communities Kathleen serves, and it is the market to understand if you want city energy and value side by side.
Haverhill was settled in 1640 as Pentucket, incorporated in 1641, and became a city in 1870. Its shoe factories made it a working Merrimack city, and that mill district is now the Waterfront District, with apartments, restaurants, and breweries along the river. Winnekenni Castle anchors the hilltop above Lake Kenoza, and the Haverhill Line ends right in downtown.
Merrimack River
Downtown waterfront and riverside parks
Winnekenni Castle
The hilltop landmark above the lake
Haverhill Line
Rail terminus with service to Boston
Waterfront District
Downtown mills reborn as homes and dining
Haverhill
The numbers that frame the city, in one glance.
| County | Essex County |
|---|---|
| Region | Boston's North Shore |
| Residents | 67,787 (2020 Census) |
| Distance to Boston | About 35 miles north |
| ZIP Code | 01830 (multiple ZIPs) |
| Settled | 1640; incorporated 1641; city since 1870 |
| Government | Mayor-Council |
| Known For | Merrimack River, Waterfront District, Winnekenni Castle |
Haverhill
Life in Haverhill turns on the river. The downtown waterfront has been rebuilt, the Waterfront District's old mills hold homes and nightlife, and the rail trail connects neighborhoods along the Merrimack. The city is big enough to have everything, but its future is being written block by block downtown.
Housing spans the mill district condos to classic city neighborhoods, with more land heading toward the New Hampshire border. Haverhill Public Schools serve the city, and Haverhill Station is the terminus of the MBTA Haverhill Line into Boston's North Station. My commuter rail guide covers how that commute works if the rail matters to you.
Haverhill
A few real Haverhill stops, from the castle to the waterfront, to start from.
Haverhill
Public real-estate data for Haverhill, Massachusetts, September 2026 (not an official MAR report).
~$530,000
Median Sale Price (3-Month, Redfin)
~2%
Year Over Year Change (up)
~22 days
Typical Days on Market
~$557,000
Average Home Value (Zillow)
Haverhill's public-market reading for 2026: a median sale price around $530,000 over the trailing three months per Redfin, up roughly 2% from a year earlier, with the all-home-types median near $570,000 in August 2026. Homes typically sell in about 22 days, and Zillow's average home value sits near $557,000.
Figures from public real-estate data (Redfin, Zillow, September 2026) and are approximate. Not an official MAR report.
Kathleen's Take on the Haverhill Market
Haverhill is one of the most attainable markets Kathleen serves, with a three-month median around $530,000 and homes selling in about three weeks. You get more home for the money than the coastal towns, and the rail line to Boston makes it workable for commuters.
Modest year-over-year growth with 22 days on market tells an honest story: steady demand at evidence-based prices, and little patience for a premium. Downtown's revival and easy rail access keep the buyer pool broader than the beach towns.
I watch the downtown and the rail line as much as the numbers. Waterfront District momentum and new listings near the station change what buyers expect, and they are the reason Haverhill prices keep finding a floor.
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 Haverhill right now.
Haverhill
Haverhill questions people actually ask. Clear answers to the most common questions about living in this Merrimack city.
Yes, for buyers who want a city on the Merrimack with rail access and honest value. Haverhill is a city of 67,787 people about 35 miles north of Boston, with a reviving waterfront downtown, a direct commuter rail line, and prices well below the coastal North Shore.
Haverhill is known for its Merrimack River downtown, the Waterfront District's reborn mills, and Winnekenni Castle above Lake Kenoza, plus a deep shoe-industry history. It is also the outer terminus of the MBTA Haverhill Line, with the Amtrak Downeaster stopping at the same station.
About 35 miles north of Boston, with Haverhill Station on the MBTA Haverhill Line providing direct rail service to Boston's North Station.
Yes. Haverhill Station is the outer terminus of the MBTA Haverhill Line, and the Amtrak Downeaster also serves it, connecting the city to Boston and points north.
Haverhill Public Schools serve the city from pre-K through high school, including Haverhill High School.
Explore Haverhill homes for sale through Kathleen Militello, Realtor with eXp Realty, on her website, Essex County Homes for Sale.
Comparing towns? My full guides to Amesbury and Newburyport cover other Merrimack River towns, and the hub page for Coastal Communities links every North Shore town Kathleen serves.
Haverhill
Authoritative first-party sources for Haverhill information. These links go directly to official websites.
Next step
A conversation is the fastest way to see which Haverhill fits you: a Waterfront District condo, a downtown colonial, or a larger home near the border. You do not have to decide anything before we talk.
