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Living in
Marblehead.
Marblehead is an unincorporated community in Essex County, MA. It has no city government: the county runs it, and the Census counts it as its own place.
About
Life in Marblehead
If you're considering a move here, understand that you're signing up for a wealthy, tightly-knit coastal community where the median home value hovers around $944,000 and median household income sits at $182,132—this is decidedly upscale real estate on the North Shore. The town's identity is rooted in maritime history (fishing capital, birthplace of the American Navy) and recreational boating culture, but nowadays it's primarily a residential haven for affluent families and professionals willing to commute: expect about 32 minutes to get anywhere meaningful, with MBTA bus routes to Boston available but no direct rail service—you'll want a car. What keeps locals here despite the steep cost of living isn't just the postcard-perfect harbor views and four beaches—it's the tight community fabric, strong schools, and genuine outdoor access: you've got sailing, kayaking, Fort Sewall, the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, and several yacht clubs, but also smaller neighborhood anchors like the legendary men's softball league (operating since 1939) and local parks where people actually gather.
Marblehead at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
49.1 yrs
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Foreign-Born
6.6%
Broadband Internet
95.7%
of households
Population Growth
-0.8%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics6.6% foreign-born, most often from Russia
Who lives in Marblehead: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Marblehead, the largest foreign-born group is from Russia (11.7%), and 2.1% of residents speak Other Indo-European at home.
Under 18
22.3%
of residents
65 and Older
22.7%
of residents
Households with Kids
30.6%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
27.4%
of households
Married Couples
63.5%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.45
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent about average for MA
Rent, home values, and income in Marblehead
In Marblehead, home values are 68% above the MA average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
44.4%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
27.1%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
108.3
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$8,309
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
85.2%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1944
median year built
Vacant Homes
8.9%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $1,043,923 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment about average for MA
Unemployment in Marblehead
Unemployment in Essex County, which includes Marblehead, is close to the MA average.
Unemployment rate
Marblehead: Essex County rate (county-wide) · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
Essex County (county-wide) · Annual averages
Marblehead is about 3% of Essex County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
What Marblehead Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute32.9 min avg
How Marblehead residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Marblehead, most residents drive alone to work (51%), and 48% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 12 mi
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Major hub21.0M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 76% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Marblehead runs 76% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
77.8
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
437.7
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
Marblehead Police Department
Natural DisastersStrong Wind most common — 9 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively High
95.6 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Essex County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Essex County, which includes Marblehead, the most common type is strong wind, with 9 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | Thunderstorm Wind | $18,700 |
| 2024 | 9 | High Wind | $3,500 |
| 2023 | 18 | Heavy Snow | $21,500 |
| 2022 | 19 | Strong Wind | $140,700 |
| 2021 | 30 | Thunderstorm Wind | $261,900 |
| 2020 | 37 | High Wind | $63,100 |
| 2019 | 26 | Strong Wind | $171,950 |
| 2018 | 34 | Strong Wind | $564,200 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Essex County, county-wide
Marblehead is about 3% of Essex County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Air Quality40 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Essex County, which includes Marblehead, is typically good — 296 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
40
Good Days
296
per year
Moderate Days
66
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Essex County, county-wide
Marblehead is about 3% of Essex County’s population, so county-wide figures may differ from local conditions.
Climate78°F summers, 21°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Marblehead has mild summers (avg high 78°F) and cold winters (avg low 21°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
55°/36°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
78°/58°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
61°/43°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
39°/21°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
48.0"
Annual Snowfall
39.1"
Hot Days/Year
9
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
108
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
115
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F | 18°F | 3.75" |
| Feb | 38°F | 20°F | 3.50" |
| Mar | 44°F | 26°F | 4.71" |
| Apr | 55°F | 36°F | 4.30" |
| May | 65°F | 45°F | 3.48" |
| Jun | 74°F | 54°F | 4.14" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.48" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 3.25" |
| Sep | 72°F | 53°F | 3.56" |
| Oct | 61°F | 42°F | 5.00" |
| Nov | 51°F | 33°F | 4.15" |
| Dec | 42°F | 24°F | 4.70" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Marblehead
Uninsured
0.6%
of residents
No hospitals inside Marblehead's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
North Shore Medical Center -
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 2.7 mi away · Salem
Northeast Hospital Corporation
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 4.6 mi away · Beverly
Melrosewakefield Healthcare
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 10.8 mi away · Melrose
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education10.7:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Marblehead
Marblehead's student/teacher ratio is 10.7:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 78.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
6
within city limits
Private Schools
5
within city limits
College Degree Rate
78.3%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges Near Marblehead (within 15 miles)
Public · 2-year · 8,612 students · in-state tuition $6,288 · 22% graduate · median earnings $51,734 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 7,061 students · in-state tuition $73,616 · 94% graduate · median earnings $89,187 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 4,393 students · in-state tuition $5,448 · 30% graduate · median earnings $51,866 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 4-year · 4,291 students · in-state tuition $12,708 · 62% graduate · median earnings $62,762 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 4,268 students · in-state tuition $49,556 · 66% graduate · median earnings $75,345 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,870 students · in-state tuition $59,044 · 86% graduate · median earnings $67,317 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Salem Maritime National Historical Park, 2 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Marblehead
Marblehead has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Salem Maritime National Historical Park (2 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Salem Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
2 mi awaySaugus Iron Works National Historic Site
National Historic Site
8 mi awayBoston African American National Historic Site
National Historic Site
14 mi awayBoston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
14 mi awayBoston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
14 mi awayLongfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
National Historic Site
16 mi awayJohn Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
National Historic Site
17 mi awayAdams National Historical Park
National Historical Park
19 mi awayPublic Libraries in Marblehead
Abbot Public Library
235 Pleasant Street, Marblehead
Cities Near Marblehead
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Marblehead?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Marblehead FAQ
Is Marblehead, Massachusetts affordable?⌄
Marblehead's median rent is $1,764/month, which is above the national average. The median household income is $182,132/year. Median home value is $943,900.
Is Marblehead, Massachusetts safe?⌄
Marblehead's violent crime rate was 78 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 438 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Marblehead, Massachusetts?⌄
Essex County, which includes Marblehead, has an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is close to the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Marblehead, Massachusetts?⌄
The cost of living in Marblehead is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,764/month and median household income is $182,132/year. The median home value is $943,900. About 44% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Marblehead, Massachusetts?⌄
The average commute in Marblehead is 33 minutes, which is longer than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from