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Nahant, Massachusetts
Nahant, Massachusetts
Nahant, Massachusetts
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Nahant (/nəˈhɑːnt/) is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,334 at the 2020 census, which makes it the smallest municipality by population in Essex County.[1] With just 1.0 square mile (2.7 km2) of land area, it is also the smallest municipality by area in the state and is primarily a residential community. The town is situated on a peninsula consisting of two near-islands (known as "Little Nahant" and "Big Nahant" respectively) connected to the mainland by a narrow sandy isthmus traversed by a single causeway known as "Nahant Road". Numerous tourist beaches line the shores, with the most popular being the so-called "Long Beach" and "Short Beach" along the eastern side of the causeway.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The area around Nahant was inhabited for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas, but little is known of this period until European records began to document the area in the early 1600s.

In 1605, Samuel de Champlain interacted briefly with native people in Nahant and remarked that "all along this coast there is much cleared land sewn with Indian corn."[2]

By the 1630s at the time of English colonization, the seat of "Sagamore James" of the Naumkeag, known in his own tongue as Montowampate, was at the outlet of the Saugus River overlooking Nahant,[3] though the island itself may have been controlled by a sachem Poquanum, known to English settlers as Blacke William[4] or Duke William, who around 1632 gave permission to Thomas Dexter to use the island in exchange for an English suit.[5] The word Nahant may mean "at the point," or "twin islands," or it may refer to an important local person named Nahantum.[6]

The peninsula was first settled by English colonists in 1630, in the second year of the Puritan coming: the servants of Isaac Johnson grazed his cattle on the land, and it was also often used by citizens of Lynn for grazing cattle, sheep and goats. Although not a separate town until 1853, Nahant was listed as one of thirty "noted Habitations" in New England by William Wood in 1633,[7] and Nahant Poynt appears labeled on a map of the Massachusetts coastline from 1639.[3]

Before 1800 there were only three homes on the island: those built by the Breeds and the Hoods, and the Johnson home built by Jeremiah Gray. The first hotel was built by one of the Johnsons 1802, and in 1817 a steamboat ran daily between Boston and Nahant. The town was originally part of Lynn; when the temperance movement threatened the summer resort trade in 1853, Nahant incorporated as a separate town. In the late 19th century, it was home to some of the country's first amusement parks, as well as a popular summer retreat for the wealthy, including the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The geologist Louis Agassiz was a resident and the artist William Stanley Haseltine produced many versions of his oil painting 'The Rocks at Nahant'.[8] During World War II, East Point was the site of a coastal artillery battery. It is now a town park, and location of the Marine Science Center for Northeastern University.

Development

[edit]
Calantha Sears Gazebo

The old Nahant Life-Saving Station (NLSS) on Nahant Road and the new War Memorial erected across the street from the NLSS were renovated in 2004.

In 2003, the dilapidated Valley Road School was refurbished and re-commissioned as the Nahant Community Center, which is now home to many local activities and banquets, including the local Boy Scout Troop 50.

On September 25, 2005, the Town of Nahant officially commemorated the completely rebuilt Bailey's Hill Gazebo as the Calantha Sears Gazebo. The original was built for the bicentennial in 1976, and over the years had fallen into disrepair. With funding from the Woman's Club of Nahant and collaboration with the town of Nahant, local residents contributed to its reconstruction. Besides the cement base, the only remaining piece of the original is the wooden cylinder in the center of the roof, which still bears the "1976" emblem—repainted by Nahant resident Octavia Randolph.

Geography and transportation

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km2), of which 1.0 square mile (2.7 km2) is land and 14.4 square miles (37.4 km2), or 93.24%, is water.[9] Nahant is a tied island connected to the mainland by a natural tombolo, effectively a peninsula though often referred to as an "island". Nahant is connected by a causeway to the city of Lynn. The town is surrounded by Nahant Bay to the east, Nahant Harbor to the south, and Lynn Harbor to the west, all of which lead directly into Broad Sound and Massachusetts Bay. The town is essentially divided into a main portion and Little Nahant, just north of the main portion of town along the eastern side of the causeway. The area along the west side of town, between Black Rock Point and Bass Point, is the most densely settled part of town. There are ten beaches along the coastline, the largest being Nahant Beach and Long Beach, both of which line the eastern side of the causeway road north of Little Nahant. Included in these ten beaches is Short beach, one of the most popular sites in the town during the summer, only accessible through a Nahant beach sticker. The town also has a few small parks and the Kelly Greens Golf Course.

Nahant is just one of four towns out of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts (along with Rockport, Provincetown and Aquinnah) that only touches one other town by land (Gosnold and Nantucket do not touch any). Only touching a 400-yard portion of Lynn by land, the water rights of the town also touch those of Revere, Winthrop and Boston, in Suffolk County. Both by land and by sea, Nahant is the southernmost town in Essex County. The town is centered 14 miles (23 km) by land northeast of Boston, 9 miles (14 km) south of Salem, and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Cape Ann.

The nearest state route is Route 129, within Lynn. The nearest highways are a highway portion of U.S. Route 1 in Saugus and Interstate 95 and Route 128 in Peabody. The only mass transit within town is route 439 of the MBTA bus system, which loops within town before passing back into Lynn, providing access to Central Square, home to a stop along the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, providing service between the North Shore and Boston's North Station. Some 439 buses extend their service to Wonderland, providing a connection to the MBTA Blue Line. The nearest airport to town is Boston's Logan International Airport.

Demographics

[edit]
See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
Bass Point Beach in c. 1910
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1860380—    
1870475+25.0%
1880808+70.1%
1890880+8.9%
19001,152+30.9%
19101,184+2.8%
19201,318+11.3%
19301,654+25.5%
19401,835+10.9%
19502,679+46.0%
19603,960+47.8%
19704,119+4.0%
19803,947−4.2%
19903,828−3.0%
20003,632−5.1%
20103,410−6.1%
20203,334−2.2%
2022*3,289−1.3%
* = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 3,632 people, 1,629 households, and 970 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,918.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,126.9/km2). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 1,369.3 per square mile (528.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.11% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 1,629 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $64,052, and the median income for a family was $76,926. Males had a median income of $52,045 versus $46,522 for females. The per capita income for the town was $41,807. About 1.4% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

Bass Point Boat Landing in 1907

Education

[edit]

Students attend grades preschool through sixth at Johnson Elementary School in Nahant. For grades seven through twelve, students attend schools in nearby Swampscott.[20] Circa 2016, there were 136 students at the Swampscott schools, including Swampscott High School.[21]

Arts and culture

[edit]
  • The peninsula is the subject of Lydia Sigourney's poem Nahant published in Scenes in my Native Land, 1845, together with illustrative text.[22]
  • The Henry Cabot Lodge House, a National Historic Landmark at 5 Cliff Street in Nahant
  • Greenlawn Cemetery, a historic cemetery
  • Nahant Historical Society Museum, located in the Nahant Community Center
  • Northeastern University Marine Science Center, located at East Point, also home to Nahant's observatory. Martin Scorsese filmed the lighthouse scenes for the movie Shutter Island here in the summer of 2008.
  • The World War II Bunkers. Located inside Trimountain and East Point, they were initially designed to defend Boston Harbor and the surrounding waters from a possible attack during the war. During the Cold War, the installation at East Point housed Nike missiles intended to stop a nuclear attack on Boston.

Annual events

[edit]
  • The annual Fourth of July fireworks
  • Started in 1996, the annual Nahant Christmas Parade is one of the biggest celebrations the town of Nahant puts on.
  • The Memorial Day Parade is a day of homecoming for former Nahant residents who gather each year to watch the festivities, which includes the playing of Taps at the cemetery, and cannon fire at Tudor Wharf.
[edit]
  • Nahant appears in the 2015 post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 4.[23]
  • Nahant was the basis for the fictional town of Lovecraft, Massachusetts, featured in the Eisner comic series Locke & Key by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King. Some fictional locations in the book were based on landmarks in Nahant.
  • The narrator of Sarah's Key, a novel by Tatiana de Rosnay, was Miss Nahant in her youth.[24]
  • Nahant is the main setting in the novel An Ocean Full of Angels: The Autobiography of 'Isa Ben Adam by Peter Kreeft.
  • Nahant, and Nahant Beach, are mentioned several times in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "The Village Uncle."

Notable people

[edit]
[edit]
  • Nahant Hotel, from Boston Monthly Magazine, 1825. Engraving by J.R. Penniman
    Nahant Hotel, from Boston Monthly Magazine, 1825. Engraving by J.R. Penniman
  • Maolis Garden, 19th century
    Maolis Garden, 19th century
  • Maolis rock temple, 19th century
    Maolis rock temple, 19th century
  • "Our House", 19th century
    "Our House", 19th century
  • Aerial view of Nahant, as seen from an airplane
    Aerial view of Nahant, as seen from an airplane
  • Forty Steps
    Forty Steps

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nahant, Massachusetts

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Nahant is a small, affluent coastal town located on a rocky peninsula in the southernmost part of Essex County, Massachusetts, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides and connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus near Lynn. With a land area of 1.1 square miles, it is the smallest municipality in Massachusetts by land area and features a population density of approximately 3,094 people per square mile. As of 2023, the town's population is 3,328, predominantly White (92%) with a median age of 58.6 years, reflecting its character as a primarily residential community for retirees and seasonal residents. Originally used as a grazing area for cattle, sheep, and goats by early colonial settlers from nearby Lynn in the mid-17th century, Nahant developed as a maritime fishing community with small-scale boat operations by the 1640s. The town's name derives from the Native American term meaning "the point" or "almost an island," highlighting its geographic isolation. By the early , it had transformed into a popular summer resort destination for 's elite, with the first hotel constructed in 1803 and regular steamboat service from beginning in 1817, leading to the development of grand hotels, amusement parks, and annual regattas. Nahant was officially incorporated as a in 1853, separating from Lynn, and experienced rapid growth in the late 19th century as a spot with attractions like bowling alleys and seaside cottages, though it shifted toward year-round residential use by the early . Today, it maintains a quiet, upscale vibe with notable natural features including Nahant Beach—a rare sandy stretch amid rocky shores—and East Point, a with views, while lacking significant industrial or agricultural activity. The town's economy relies heavily on property values, with a median home value of $686,000 and a median household income of $111,004, underscoring its appeal as a high-end suburban enclave just 14 miles .

Geography

Physical geography

Nahant is situated in Essex County, northeastern , at geographic coordinates 42°25′35″N 70°55′10″W. As the smallest municipality in the state by land area, it encompasses 1.04 square miles of land and a total area of 15.5 square miles, including extensive surrounding waters. The town's was 3,334 according to the , making it the smallest by in Essex County. Geographically, Nahant functions as a , formed by two near-islands—Little Nahant and Big Nahant—linked to the mainland city of Lynn via a narrow that serves as the Nahant , the primary access route. This configuration surrounds the town on three sides with coastal waters: Nahant Bay to the west, Nahant Harbor to the north, and Broad Sound to the east, all opening into the Atlantic Ocean. The peninsula's layout emphasizes its isolation and exposure to marine influences. The physical landscape combines sandy beaches with rugged rocky shores, characteristic of the North Shore's glacial till and bedrock formations. Key beaches include Long Beach, which stretches along the causeway's eastern side, and Short Beach, a half-mile expanse of soft sand and gentle waves popular for recreation. Other notable coastal features are Nahant Beach and the rocky 40 Steps Beach, providing varied intertidal zones. Elevations remain low, ranging from along the shores to a maximum of about 50 feet inland, contributing to the town's compact, undulating terrain. Nahant's coastal position exposes it to environmental challenges, including ongoing erosion of its barrier beaches like Short Beach and Pond Beach, driven by wave action and storms. This proximity to the Atlantic Ocean fosters a specialized , with rocky shores supporting diverse intertidal communities such as , , and mollusks, while sandy areas host nesting birds and dune vegetation. intensifies these erosion risks through rising sea levels, though mitigation efforts focus on dune restoration.

Climate

Nahant experiences a (Köppen Dfa) characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with moderate precipitation throughout the year. The town's coastal peninsula location moderates extremes somewhat compared to inland areas, but it amplifies exposure to marine influences. Annual average temperatures hover around 50°F (10°C), with July highs averaging 81°F (27°C) and January lows around 22°F (-6°C). Precipitation totals approximately 48 inches annually, distributed relatively evenly but with peaks in spring and fall; for instance, and each see about 4.8 inches on average. Snowfall averages inches per year, primarily occurring from December through , contributing to the cold season's wintry conditions. These patterns support a of seasonal shifts, from lush summers to snow-covered shores in winter. Recent climate trends indicate warming, with projections showing an increase in extreme heat events; Nahant is expected to experience about 15 days per year with "feels like" temperatures above 96°F within the next 30 years, up from roughly 7 days currently. Sea-level rise poses significant risks to low-lying areas, with an 83% chance of at least one exceeding 5 feet by 2050, potentially affecting nearly 480 residents and over $63 million in property values. The peninsula's geography heightens vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding, as nor'easters and hurricanes can drive storm surges into narrow inlets and beaches. These factors underscore Nahant's evolving challenges, driven by broader regional patterns of intensified and rising seas.

History

Early settlement

Prior to European contact, the area now known as Nahant was inhabited by members of the Pawtucket (Naumkeag) group of Native Americans, who utilized the peninsula seasonally for fishing and maintained small populations, estimated at 50 to 100 individuals before devastating epidemics in 1617–1619. These communities cleared lands for agriculture, growing crops such as Indian corn. In 1605, French explorer sailed along the coast near the Nahant peninsula, observing extensive cleared fields and interactions with Native people engaged in cultivation and coastal activities. By the time of sustained English colonization, much of this Native presence had diminished due to disease and displacement. English settlement of Nahant commenced in 1630 as an extension of the nearby town of Lynn, where it was designated as common lands primarily for pasturage of cattle, sheep, and goats owned by Lynn residents. To encourage development, in 1635, the General Court of granted nine men land in Nahant specifically to promote the local , fostering early maritime activities including small-boat that predated 1640. By 1657, the land was divided into planting lots for Lynn inhabitants, with requirements to clear woodland within six years, though enforcement was lax and settlement remained sparse. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Nahant's rocky and hilly terrain limited population growth and agricultural viability, resulting in only scattered habitation along paths like Nahant Road near Wharf Street. The first permanent structures emerged in the early 1700s, with just three houses documented by 1770, occupied by the Breed, Hood, and Johnson families. Overall, the late colonial population hovered around 20 individuals, focused on subsistence fishing and grazing rather than expansion. Key early figures included sachem Poquanum, who sold Nahant lands to multiple English groups in the mid-17th century, leading to disputed claims among Lynn settlers. By the late 1700s, Nahant's scenic rocky shores and proximity to transformed it into an early summer retreat for affluent city dwellers, who arrived by chaise from Lynn to enjoy boarding houses and coastal recreation. This seasonal appeal laid the groundwork for later resort development.

Incorporation and development

Nahant separated from Lynn and incorporated as a distinct town on March 29, 1853, primarily due to conflicts arising from Lynn's growing , which threatened the alcohol-serving summer resort trade that had become central to Nahant's economy. This separation allowed Nahant to maintain its resort-oriented policies independently, fostering continued growth as a leisure destination. The early 19th century marked the onset of Nahant's tourism boom, beginning with the construction of its first around 1802, which accommodated visitors seeking coastal escapes from urban . Daily service from commenced in 1817, significantly easing access and transforming Nahant into an elite summer colony by the 1840s, where affluent families rented boarding houses or private homes for extended stays. This influx elevated Nahant's status as a fashionable resort, drawing prominent figures such as members of the and other elites who valued its rocky shores and sea breezes. Infrastructure expanded rapidly in the mid-1800s to support the burgeoning visitor numbers, including the opening of the Nahant Road connecting Lynn to the peninsula's eastern end by the 1830s, facilitating travel to key sites like the Nahant Hotel, established in with amenities such as a . Additional hotels proliferated, alongside bathhouses integrated into facilities, catering to the demand for seaside and contributing to a surge from 475 residents in 1870 to 1,152 by 1900, driven by seasonal influxes that peaked Nahant's prominence as a premier East Coast retreat. These developments solidified Nahant's identity before shifts toward permanent residences in the .

Modern history

During the , Nahant played a strategic role in national defense, particularly during when East Point served as a key coastal artillery battery and submarine detection site as part of the harbor defenses for . The East Point Military Reservation, established in 1917, featured armament and detection systems operated by the U.S. Navy and , including loop receiving stations to detect enemy submarines, and remained active until its deactivation in 1962. The town's reached a recorded high of 3,682 residents in the 1970 census, reflecting post-war suburban growth, but began a gradual decline thereafter due to limited land availability and regional demographic shifts, dropping to 3,504 by 2010. In the early 2000s, Nahant undertook several preservation and renovation projects funded through the Community Preservation Act, adopted by in 2004. The dilapidated Valley Road School, built in 1904, was refurbished and reopened as the Nahant Community Center in 2003, now housing the Nahant Historical Society, small businesses, and community programs while preserving its Neo-Classical architecture listed on the State Register of Historic Places. That same year, initial work began on restoring the historic Nahant Life-Saving Station, a late-19th-century coastal facility, with major exterior renovations completed in subsequent years to maintain its architectural integrity. The adjacent was also renovated in 2004 as part of these efforts to honor veterans. In 2005, the Bailey's Hill Gazebo was restored and rededicated on September 24, replicating early-1900s designs to enhance public recreational spaces along the shoreline. Recent years have seen Nahant address , challenges, and land-use disputes amid ongoing coastal vulnerabilities. In February 2025, the town received a $3.5 million grant from the to stabilize and restore dunes along Short Beach, aiming to mitigate and flooding from surges. In 2024, Nahant adopted its , a data-driven strategy developed with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to promote development on lands and increase the town's stock to meet state goals under Chapter 40B. That year, the town also facilitated the sale of 12 residential lots to support new initiatives aligned with the plan. A significant legal development occurred in September 2024 when the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled in favor of in a long-standing dispute over land at East Point, rejecting the town's claims and allowing potential expansion of the university's Marine Science Center while clarifying limits on dedication doctrines. A tragic incident in January 2024 highlighted public safety concerns when three relatives—John Benson, 77; his sister-in-law Youngae Benson, 74; and nephew Andrew Carruth, 45—were found dead in a Cottage Street from caused by a faulty, unpermitted furnace installation. The Essex County District Attorney's investigation confirmed elevated levels, prompting community discussions on safety inspections.

Government and administration

Town government

Nahant operates under an open form of government, where registered voters convene annually to approve budgets, bylaws, and major policy decisions, supplemented by a three-member Board of Selectmen that serves as the town's primary executive body. The Board of Selectmen, elected to staggered three-year terms with one seat up for each year, appoints the Town Administrator, oversees departmental operations, recommends budgets to the town meeting, and acts as the local board of health. As of November 2025, the Board of Selectmen consists of Gene Canty, Pat O'Reilly, and Robert Tibbo, with Tibbo serving as chair following his election to the position in May 2025. The current Town Administrator is Alison Nieto, appointed by the Board in October 2025 to manage daily town operations, including departmental oversight, budget execution, and policy implementation, succeeding Antonio Barletta who served from 2018 to July 2025. At the state level, Nahant is part of the Third , represented by Senator Brendan P. Crighton (Democrat), and the 11th House , represented by Representative Sean Reid (Democrat). The 2025 annual town election, held on April 26 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at , featured from April 22 to 24 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the same location, with absentee ballots available for eligible voters unable to appear in person due to absence, , or religious observance. In the contested race for the open Board of Selectmen seat, Pat O'Reilly received the most votes among three candidates and was elected to a three-year term.

Public services

Nahant relies on limited public transportation options, primarily served by the (MBTA) bus route 439, which operates weekdays and connects the town to Central Square in Lynn and the Wonderland station, providing onward links to . There is no rail service within Nahant itself, with the nearest access available in neighboring Lynn. The closest major airport is Logan International Airport, located approximately 10 miles southwest of the town. Emergency services in Nahant are provided by the town's Police Department, a community-oriented agency focused on and public safety, located at 198 Nahant Road. The operates on a combination model with nine full-time firefighters (all trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT-B)) and 12 call/volunteer members (trained as with CPR certification), handling fire suppression, hazardous materials response, and basic EMS through the town's service. Following a fatal incident in January 2024 that claimed three lives due to elevated levels detected in a Cottage Street home, the partnered with the Post 215 in March 2024 to launch a free replacement and installation program for residents. Utilities and infrastructure are managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW), which oversees water distribution supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) through approximately 26 miles of local pipelines serving the town's roughly 3,400 residents. Wastewater from Nahant is collected via a system and pumped to the Lynn Regional Plant for treatment, with recent state funding supporting upgrades to the Lowlands Pump Station to enhance capacity and resilience against flooding. Road maintenance falls under DPW jurisdiction for town streets, while the Nahant Beach Boulevard causeway—the sole land access route connecting Nahant to Lynn—is maintained by the (DCR). Other municipal services include the Nahant Free Library, which offers public access to resources and community programs; in 2019, it received a $15,000 federal Library Services and Technology Act grant to support the "Go Local: Nature in Nahant" initiative for preserving and digitizing the town's collection. Waste management is handled through curbside collection by , with weekly trash pickup, recycling guidelines, and a resident-only area at 11 Spring Road operated by DPW to promote sustainable disposal practices.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, Nahant had a population of 3,334, down from 3,410 in 2010. The 2023 estimate places the population at 3,328. With a land area of 1.24 square miles (3.2 km²), the population density was 3,143 people per square mile (1,214/km²) as of recent data.

Racial and ethnic composition

According to the 2020 census, the racial and ethnic composition was as follows:
Race/EthnicityNumberPercentage
3,06191.8%
Two or more races1544.6%
Black or African American381.1%
Asian551.6%
Other races250.7%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)381.1%
made up 92% of the in 2023 estimates.

Age distribution

The median age in Nahant was 58.6 years in 2023, up from in 2000. The age distribution in 2023 was approximately:
  • Under 15 years: 9.6%
  • 15–24 years: 8.7%
  • 25–44 years: 18.5%
  • 45–64 years: 25.2%
  • 65 years and over: 38.0%

Income and poverty

The was $111,004 in 2023, with an average income of $188,842. was $79,167. The rate was 6.77%.

Education

As of 2023, educational attainment for adults aged 25 and older included:
  • High school graduate or higher: 95.9%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 59.9%
More specifically, 23.8% had a high school diploma, 30.5% held a bachelor's degree, and 29.4% had a graduate or professional degree.

Housing

There were 1,626 households in recent data, with an average household size of 2.02. The owner-occupied housing unit rate was 82.7%, and the median value of owner-occupied housing units was $647,800. Median gross rent was $1,747.

Economy

Nahant's economy is primarily residential, with residents often commuting to nearby for work. As of 2023, the town employs 1,858 people, reflecting a -1.54% decline from 2022. The largest industries in Nahant are professional, scientific, and technical services (384 employees), health care and social assistance (229 employees), and educational services (192 employees). The town lacks significant industrial or agricultural activity, focusing instead on high property values and a service-oriented . The poverty rate stands at 6.77% as of 2023.

Education

The Nahant School Department oversees public education in the town and operates a single school, Johnson Elementary School, serving students in preschool through grade 6. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district enrolled 149 students with 10.92 classroom teachers, yielding a of approximately 14:1. In the 2023–24 school year, 45% of students met or exceeded expectations in mathematics on state assessments, compared to the state average of 40%. Nahant does not operate its own middle or high schools. Instead, the town has tuition agreements with the neighboring Swampscott Public Schools district, through which Nahant students attend Swampscott Middle School (grades 7–8) and Swampscott High School (grades 9–12). There are no private K–12 schools located within Nahant, though preschool programs such as Periwinkle Pre-School operate in association with Johnson Elementary. Higher education institutions are not present in the town but are accessible nearby, including in Salem and in Beverly.

Arts and culture

Landmarks and historic sites

Nahant is home to several notable landmarks and historic sites that reflect its maritime heritage, political significance, and resort history. The House, located at 5 Cliff Street, stands as the town's sole . Built in 1828 as a summer residence for an ancestor of U.S. Senator , who used it lifelong, this two-story brick villa exemplifies late-19th-century seaside architecture with its stucco exterior, low-pitched , and four slender chimneys. Designated a in 1972, it remains privately owned and highlights Lodge's influential career in American politics. The Nahant Life-Saving Station, situated on Nahant Road, is a key maritime landmark built in 1900 by the U.S. Life-Saving Service on town-donated land. Designed uniquely to launch rescue boats into both the ocean and Nahant Bay, it served for generations in coastal rescues before becoming a facility and later falling into disuse. Deeded back to the town in 2000, the station was restored in the early 2000s through efforts by the Nahant Preservation Trust, utilizing over $600,000 in Community Preservation Act funds, and listed on the in 2012. Today, it functions as an event space and public restroom facility adjacent to Short Beach. East Point features remnants of World War II fortifications as part of the East Point Military Reservation, established in 1917 for coastal defense. This site, originally known as the Nahant Military Reservation and later incorporating Fort Ruckman, included observation posts, radar installations, and anti-aircraft batteries to protect from submarine and aerial threats. Deactivated in 1962, the fortifications now blend into the landscape near the Marine Science Center, preserving evidence of mid-20th-century . Bailey's Hill Gazebo, perched on the town's highest point at 62 feet, offers panoramic views and serves as a scenic overlook. Rebuilt in the mid-2000s following earlier deterioration, the structure was designed with wooden railings, latticework, and a shingled to evoke its Victorian-era origins, providing a popular spot for visitors and residents. Ongoing maintenance, including a restoration project planned for fiscal year 2025 focusing on its and plantings, ensures its preservation as a community asset. Nahant Beach Reservation, managed by the Massachusetts , encompasses over 67 acres of coastal shoreline with historic promenades dating to the early 20th century. Added to the in 2003 as part of the Nahant Road boulevard, it includes a 6,300-foot bituminous walkway built during the era for public recreation, offering access to swimming areas and ocean views. King's Beach, an adjacent historic stretch within the broader Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach system, traces its use to 19th-century resort development, providing additional public access points tied to Nahant's early tourism. The Marine Science Center at , located on East Point, houses a and research facilities focused on coastal . Established in 1967 on the site of former military structures, it features seawater aquariums displaying local marine species, such as lobsters and from , to support education and scientific study. The center's exhibits emphasize sustainable marine practices and attract visitors for guided tours of its tidal pools and touch tanks. Historical markers in Nahant commemorate sites linked to its 19th-century resort era, including early hotels and steamboat landings. The Nahant Hotel, opened in 1823 on East Point, was a grand complex hosting elite visitors and spanning nearly four acres, symbolizing the town's peak as an Atlantic Coast destination; remnants and plaques mark its location. Steamboat landings, operational from 1817 at places like Nipper Stage Wharf, facilitated daily transport from , with interpretive signs highlighting this infrastructure's role in Nahant's growth as a summer retreat.

Annual events

Nahant hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration that includes the on July 3, where children dress in red, white, and blue costumes and decorate their bicycles. On July 4, activities feature Race starting at 7:30 a.m. from the Flash Road Fire House, followed by family events beginning at 5:30 p.m. and over Nahant Beach at 9:00 p.m. from Bailey's Point Park. The town observes with a starting at 9:30 a.m. on Nahant Road, preceded by an 8:00 a.m. memorial service at Clark's Landing and followed by ceremonies at the on the and at . During the summer, the Nahant Public Library presents a concert series on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. on the library lawn, featuring local musicians, with indoor relocation in case of rain. Environmental initiatives include annual beach cleanups organized by Nahant S.W.I.M., such as the Spring Beach Clean-up Day in May, along with events by the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach and participation in the statewide COASTSWEEP program from August to November. Winter holiday events feature the annual town tree lighting ceremony at Nahant Town Hall, complete with hot cocoa to ring in the season. Nahant served as a filming location for the 2010 film [Shutter Island](/page/Shutter Island), directed by , with scenes shot at East Point, including the lighthouse areas representing the island's exterior. The town inspired the fictional setting of Lovecraft, Massachusetts, in the comic book series (2008–2013) by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, published by . Specific landmarks, such as the Swallow Cave, influenced elements like the Drowning Cave in the story. Nahant is referenced in American literature, notably in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Bells of Lynn" (1859), which describes the sounds of bells heard from the town during his summer stays there.

Notable people

  • Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (1902–1985), United States Senator from Massachusetts.
  • Cleveland Amory (1917–1998), author and animal rights activist.
  • Barbra Fuller (1921–2024), actress known for roles in films and radio.
  • Glenn Sherlock (born 1960), former Major League Baseball catcher and long-time coach.
  • Jason Mantzoukas (born 1972), actor and comedian, raised in Nahant.

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