Our Community

Marblehead has a population of approximately 20,000 with a land area of 4.4 square miles and is bordered by Swampscott on the south, Salem on the southwest and the Atlantic Ocean on the west, north and east.  The town is located 17 miles north of Boston.

Marblehead is known for its colorful history, its beautiful harbor, hundreds of colonial era houses, fine restaurants and good public schools and services.  The town is proud of its ranking in 2004 as "the most affordable town in the state" by Boston Magazine.  The ratings took into account living costs, educational quality and the environment.

The town's businesses include a few manufacturing companies and numerous small businesses and retail shops including grocery stores, a wide variety of restaurants, coffee houses, donut shops and delicatessens.

There are multiple cultural opportunities including museums, an annual arts festival, nature preserves, a public recreation program, public tennis courts and several beaches.  The arts are a vital and flourishing aspect of community life in Marblehead.  The Marblehead Arts Association and the Marblehead Festival of Arts are just two examples.

In addition, there are many galleries and artists' cooperatives located throughout the town.  Theater, music, dance and writing are also well represented.  The Marblehead Little Theatre, one of the oldest community theatre groups in New England, has a permanent home in the historic old firehouse on School Street.  Symphony by the Sea, a well-regarded symphony orchestra, is based in Marblehead and performs several times a year.

Marblehead's varied terrain and history have given rise to many neighborhoods with distinct characteristics, some of which have neighborhood organizations.  Among the largest and most influential are the Clifton Improvement Association (CIA), the Marblehead Neck Association, the Old Marblehead Improvement Association (OMIA), the Powder House Association and the Shipyard Association.

In an era of rapid changes in communication and media throughout the world, residents still want to know about their local area.  Marblehead is served by its own weekly newspaper as well as two regional newspapers that carry information and news pertaining to the town.  There is also a local channel on the town's cable television system that covers local news, events and public meetings.

Marblehead is also home to several religious institutions, social service agencies, civic organizations, social clubs, environmental groups and community groups.  Local community centers offer a wide variety of year-round activities and services for both children and adults.

The town's proximity to Boston makes the community a desirable location in which to live.  There is bus service between Marblehead and Boston as well as commuter rail service from the neighboring communities of Swampscott and Salem.  Logan International Airport is only a 30-minute commute from Marblehead.

Marblehead benefits from being a part of the greater North Shore area as well as having good access to all the good things that Boston offers.  Our affordable housing organizations give first priority to residents of our town as many lower and moderate income people in the town have difficulty finding homes, condos or apartments that they can afford.  For example, there are young couples from families whose families have been "Marbleheaders" for two or three or more generations who can now not afford to remain here.