Community Guide
Jump straight to the section you need, from the oceanfront and the beaches to the market numbers, Kathleen's take, and the FAQ.
Swampscott
This guide covers what it is actually like to live in Swampscott, Massachusetts: a coastal town of 15,111 people about 15 miles north of Boston with its own rail stop and a real beach-town rhythm. Swampscott is one of the communities Kathleen serves, and it is the market to understand if you want the ocean, a short commute, and fewer crowds than the towns farther up the coast.
Swampscott was settled in 1629 as part of Lynn and incorporated in 1852. Atlantic Avenue traces the oceanfront past grand homes toward Phillips Point, Fisherman's Beach anchors the center of town, and Swampscott Rock sits offshore as the town's enduring landmark. Historic houses, some dating to the colonial era, line the streets behind the seawall.
Atlantic Avenue Oceanfront
Grand homes along the seawall
Fisherman's Beach
The town's sandy beach at the foot of town
Historic Homes
Victorian and colonial-era oceanfront houses
Swampscott Station
Own rail stop on the Newburyport/Rockport Line
Swampscott
The numbers that frame the town, in one glance.
| County | Essex County |
|---|---|
| Region | Boston's Coastal North Shore |
| Residents | 15,111 (2020 Census) |
| Distance to Boston | About 15 miles north |
| ZIP Code | 01907 |
| Settled | 1629; incorporated 1852 |
| Government | Open Town Meeting, Select Board |
| Known For | Atlantic Avenue oceanfront, Fisherman's Beach, Swampscott Rock |
Swampscott
Life in Swampscott runs to the water. People walk Atlantic Avenue along the seawall, swim and sail at Fisherman's Beach, and use the town's own rail station to reach Boston in a short ride. The center around Humphrey Street holds the everyday shops and restaurants, and the ocean is the organizing feature of the whole town.
Housing ranges from grand oceanfront Victorians on Atlantic Avenue to classic homes, capes, and condos farther inland, with water views at a premium. Swampscott Public Schools serve the town, and Swampscott Station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line is right in town. Much of the coastline sits in FEMA flood zones, so official flood maps matter early in any search.
Swampscott
A few real Swampscott stops, from the beach to the border, to start from.
Swampscott
Public real-estate data for Swampscott, Massachusetts, September 2026 (not an official MAR report).
~$730,000
Median Sale Price (Aug 2026, Movoto)
~47 days
Typical Days on Market
~$734,000
Average Home Value (Zillow)
Swampscott's public-market reading for 2026: a median sale price around $730,000 as of August 2026 per Movoto. Homes typically sell in about 47 days on market, and Zillow's average home value sits near $734,000.
Figures from public real-estate data (Redfin, Zillow, September 2026) and are approximate. Not an official MAR report.
Kathleen's Take on the Swampscott Market
Swampscott's 47-day average is the slowest of the towns on this list, which is good news for buyers: less frenzy, more room to negotiate with the oceanfront on your side. The median and average value sitting within a few thousand dollars of each other says the market is balanced.
Forty-seven days on market is honest, not alarming, in a town with a strong oceanfront tier and a broader mid-market. Buyers here compare carefully, so condition, views, and realistic pricing do the selling.
I watch days on market and the oceanfront versus mid-market split. Swampscott is really two markets on one coastline, and pricing a home on the right side of that line decides how fast it moves.
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 Swampscott right now.
Swampscott
Swampscott questions people actually ask. Clear answers to the most common questions about living in this oceanfront town.
Yes, for buyers who want oceanfront living with a short commute. Swampscott is a coastal town of 15,111 people about 15 miles north of Boston with its own MBTA station, beach communities, historic homes, and strong schools, and the market is calmer than the towns to the north.
Swampscott is known for the oceanfront along Atlantic Avenue, Fisherman's Beach, Swampscott Rock, and its collection of historic Victorian and colonial-era homes. Its short rail commute and beach-town lifestyle make it one of the most convenient spots on the coast.
About 15 miles north of Boston, with Swampscott Station on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line providing direct service to Boston's North Station.
Yes. Swampscott Station sits at the center of town on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line, with service to Boston's North Station.
Swampscott Public Schools serve the town from pre-K through high school, including Swampscott High School.
Explore Swampscott homes for sale through Kathleen Militello, Realtor with eXp Realty, on her website, Essex County Homes for Sale.
Comparing towns? My full guides to Marblehead and Lynn cover the neighboring communities, and the hub page for Coastal Communities links every North Shore town Kathleen serves.
Swampscott
Authoritative first-party sources for Swampscott information. These links go directly to official websites.
Next step
A conversation is the fastest way to see which Swampscott fits you: an Atlantic Avenue oceanfront home, a historic house near town, or a condo a block from the beach. You do not have to decide anything before we talk.
