Located within the larger metro area of Worcester, the 11,810-person town of Lunenburg is a beautiful place to live. Its small-town charm, combined with its location just 27 miles outside the city of Worcester, makes it an attractive place to call home.
Experience the beautiful, tight-knit bonds of the Lunenburg community while also enjoying the outdoor activities, arts, and culture that the town has to offer. For more details on life in Lunenburg, check out the details below on the city's economy, education, amenities, cost of living, and transportation.
Economy of Lunenburg
Lunenburg, Massachusetts by Doug Kerr is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
The economy in the metro area of Worcester, where many Lunenburg residents work, is stronger than ever. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of October 2022, the unemployment rate in Worcester was hovering around 3.2%, below the unemployment rate of 3.7% in the United States.
The job market in the area is particularly strong when it comes to the research, technology, and manufacturing sectors. The population of Lunenberg and the Worcester area continues to grow, meaning that new businesses are still springing up, and you can find job opportunities in abundance.
The average salary of a Lunenburg resident is about $66,000, which translates to around $32 an hour. This is significantly above the minimum wage and salaries available in most small towns in the United States.
Schooling and Higher Education in Lunenburg
One of the biggest perks of living in Lunenburg is the excellent education system. Instead of looking for private schools to give your child a good education, which are incredibly expensive, you can rely on the public schools in town to provide an excellent learning environment for students.
The average Lunenburg public school spends around $13,423 per student, which is more than $1,000 per student over the national average. The teacher-to-student ratio is also excellent, with approximately 15.5 students for every teacher in the town. This assures parents that their children can get the individualized attention and assistance they deserve to do their best.
Once your child graduates high school, the possibilities in the area are endless if they decide to pursue higher education. Boston is one of the most prestigious centers of learning in the country, boasting top-rated internationally famous colleges like Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University. The Worcester area nearby also has 12 great universities, including Worcester State University, which was ranked as one of the best-value colleges in the United States.
Perhaps the abundance of nearby universities and the strong research and technology job market in the area is why citizens in Lunenburg tend to be more highly educated than the national average.
Housing in Lunenburg
Thanks to the great education and job market Lunenburg offers, it attracts plenty of outsiders. This means that housing prices are somewhat higher than the national average, though still very affordable considering Lunenburg's perks and its location close to a major city.
The average house in Lunenburg sold for $419,800 in 2020. Prices continue to increase in the area but at a relatively reasonable rate of around 4.8% over the last ten years. This increase in housing prices also means that if you buy a property in Lunenburg today, you can be reasonably sure of turning a profit in the future if you ever decide to sell. The town remains an attractive choice for educated couples and families with young children who are looking for an excellent schooling system.
Nature Around Lunenburg
In terms of things to do, Lunenburg has plenty to offer, from hiking trails to arts and culture. As the town is located in the beautiful green landscapes of New England, it’s covered in parks and forests year-round and snow in the winter. Whether you're partial to lakes, mountains, or the coast, within an hour and a half to two hours, you can be in any of these locations.
Head west to experience the majestic beauty and winter ski resorts of the Berkshires, or go north to row, kayak, or enjoy a lazy Sunday on the shore of one of the many lakes found in the area. You can also observe one of the many world-class rowing events that take place throughout the warmer months on Lake Quinsigamond.
To get a glimpse of the ocean, head to the Boston waterfront or take a longer day trip to Cape Cod or the upscale resort town of Martha's Vineyard. Both coastal destinations are about two hours away from Lunenburg.
Activities and Amenities in the Town
Even though there's plenty of nature outside town, you will also find lovely green spaces and parks in the center of Lunenburg. The public green spaces help solidify the area's community feel, as citizens spend warm summer Sundays gathering with family and friends in the many parks. Perk up with a cup of coffee from one of the many vintage, cozy coffee shops, and then head out on the trails.
Residents who want a night out on the town will love nearby Worcester, which has a great downtown area full of casual eateries, fine-dining restaurants, cocktail bars, and a whole host of other nightlife options. You can also stroll through the city on a beautiful weekend day to admire the historic architecture and preserved buildings that line the town’s roads.
Lastly, art aficionados will fall in love with the Hanover Theatre, the second-largest center for the arts in the entire state of Massachusetts. Catch a show here after dining at one of the many vintage diners or upscale seafood restaurants you’ll find in Worcester and Lunenburg.
The Lunenburg area offers a strong job market and a great educational system, good salaries and high living standards, plus a wide variety of activities and stunning natural landscapes that make it a great place to live. If you're new to the area or thinking of moving and want to look at great vehicle options, contact us at North End Subaru today, and we can help you find the best new or pre-owned vehicle for your needs.
