Merrimac center
2 School Street, Merrimac, MA 01860
Living in Merrimac, Massachusetts
Merrimac is a town in Essex County on the north bank of the Merrimack River, about 34 miles northeast of Boston. Settled in 1638 as part of Salisbury and known historically as West Amesbury, it was incorporated as its own town in 1876 and grew into a major 19th-century hub for horse-drawn carriage manufacturing.
Merrimac at a glance
- $13.19Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $8,778Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Haverhill
- EssexCounty
Merrimac's villages and zip codes
The whole town uses ZIP code 01860.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimac center | 01860 | The town center around Merrimac Square, with Victorian-era brick architecture, Town Hall and the Pilgrim Congregational Church. |
| Merrimacport | 01860 | A riverside village on the Merrimack River, separated from the town center by I-495. |
Things to do in Merrimac, MA
Start with Merrimac Square and Lake Attitash, then 2 more below.
Merrimac Square
The town's historic center, with Victorian-era brick commercial architecture and the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Merrimac Square, Merrimac, MA
Lake Attitash
A lake shared with neighboring Amesbury, with Indian Head Park on its shore for swimming and picnicking.
Merrimac, MA
Merrimac Town Forest
Town-owned forested land with trails for walking and hiking.
Merrimac, MA
Merrimack River
The river forms Merrimac's southern border, with views from Merrimacport.
Merrimacport, Merrimac, MA
More worth a visit
- Merrimac Training FieldA town athletic field used for youth sports and community events.
Around the calendar
- DecemberSanta ParadeAn annual holiday parade through town.
- SummerOld Home DaysA recurring community celebration.
A little history
The area was settled in 1638 as part of Salisbury and was long known as West Amesbury before Merrimac was incorporated as its own town on April 11, 1876.
Merrimac became a major center of horse-drawn carriage manufacturing in the 19th century, an industry that declined along with the rest of New England's manufacturing base in the 20th century.
Poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier was born in the area now part of Merrimac.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Merrimac
Merrimac's outdoor recreation centers on the Merrimack River along its southern edge, Lake Attitash shared with Amesbury, and the town-owned Merrimac Town Forest.
- Merrimack RiverForms the southern border of Merrimac at Merrimacport.
- Lake AttitashA lake on the Merrimac-Amesbury line with Indian Head Park.
- Merrimac Town ForestTown-owned forested land with walking trails.
Walkability and getting around Merrimac
Merrimac Square has sidewalks connecting a small cluster of shops and municipal buildings, but Merrimacport and most of the town's residential areas require a car.
Drive times
- Haverhill, about 8 miles15-20 min
- Logan International Airport, about 40 miles50-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Merrimac has no fixed-route public bus or commuter rail service; Interstate 495 (Exit 115) and Route 110 provide the main road connections. The nearest MBTA Commuter Rail access is in Haverhill or Newburyport.
Merrimac property taxes
Merrimac's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.19 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,319 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $8,778, on an average assessed value of $665,511.
Merrimac's FY2026 tax rates
$13.19per $1,000, residential
- Residential$13.19 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$665,511
- Average single-family tax bill$8,778
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $16.34 |
| FY2023 | $14.77 |
| FY2024 | $13.50 |
| FY2025 | $13.25 |
| FY2026 | $13.19 |
Look up a Merrimac property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Merrimac
What we check on a Merrimac purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, municipal electric utility, smoke & co certificate, river flood zones.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Essex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
The Merrimack River runs along Merrimac's southern border at Merrimacport, and low-lying land near the river falls within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for MerrimacSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Merrimac Fire Department before the sale closes.
Merrimac Fire Department pageMerrimac has its own municipal light department
Electric service in Merrimac comes from the Merrimac Municipal Light Department rather than an investor-owned utility, which can mean different rates and service procedures than in neighboring towns.
Massachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a home sale can close. Contact the Merrimac Fire Department to schedule the inspection.
Merrimack River flood zones at Merrimacport
Properties near the Merrimack River in Merrimacport should be checked against the FEMA flood map, and buyers should ask about flood insurance.
All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Merrimac?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Merrimac address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Merrimac: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Merrimac: Merrimac Municipal Light Department for power.
- ElectricMerrimac Municipal Light Department
- Trash and recyclingMerrimac uses a Pay-As-You-Throw system: residents choose between town-issued blue trash bags ($2 for a 15-gallon bag, $4 for a 35-gallon bag) or a one-pass toter system with weekly garbage and every-other-week recycling collection using 95-gallon containers. A transfer station operated by G. Mello Disposal is also available.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
G. Mello Disposal Transfer Station
Town Hall offices and contacts
Merrimac Town Hall is at 2 School Street, Merrimac, MA 01860. Hours: Varies by department. Main line: 978-346-8013.
- Town HallMain line and website978-346-8013
- Town ClerkVital records, licenses, voting and elections.
- AssessorProperty assessments, abatements and exemptions.
- Department of Public WorksRoads, trash and recycling, and town infrastructure.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well regulations and health permits.
- Fire DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections, including smoke/CO certificates.
- Merrimac Public LibraryThe town's public library, part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium.
- Pentucket Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Merrimac, Groveland and West Newbury.
Merrimac, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Merrimac, MA?
Merrimac's FY2026 residential tax rate is $13.19 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Merrimac?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $5,276 a year at $13.19 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Merrimac have a split tax rate?
No. Merrimac uses a single rate of $13.19 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Merrimac?
The average single-family tax bill in Merrimac was $8,778 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $665,511.
What ZIP code does Merrimac use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01860.
Is trash pickup curbside or pay-as-you-throw in Merrimac?
Both are combined: Merrimac uses a Pay-As-You-Throw system with either town-issued blue trash bags or a one-pass toter system for weekly garbage and every-other-week recycling. A transfer station is also available.
Who supplies electricity in Merrimac?
The Merrimac Municipal Light Department, a town-owned utility.
How far is Merrimac from Boston?
Merrimac is about 34 miles northeast of Boston.
Is there public transit in Merrimac?
No fixed-route bus or commuter rail service runs directly through Merrimac; the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail access is in Haverhill or Newburyport.
Towns near Merrimac
Neighbors of Merrimac, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Merrimac, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Merrimac, MA official website: townofmerrimac.com
- Trash and Recycling - Town of Merrimac, MA: townofmerrimac.com
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.