History

Nahant is a small town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. The town is situated on a small peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Nahant was first settled in 1630 by Puritans from Lynn, Massachusetts. The town was originally part of Lynn until it was incorporated as a separate town in 1866.

Nahant has a long history of fishing and farming. The town was also known for its granite quarries, which supplied material for many of the iconic buildings in Boston. Nahant was a popular summer resort destination in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Nahant Country Club is rich with history, built in 1825 by Fredric Tudor, known as the Ice King, who made his fortune shipping ice from New England across the globe.  And was host to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s son’s wedding reception in 1938.  Since 1988 it is one of the north shore’s venues for weddings, corporate events, and smaller events of any kind can be rented inside and outside in the beautiful gardens.

Today, Nahant is a quiet residential community. The town is home to a small beach and several parks. Nahant is also known for its unique geological formations, including Nahant Marsh, 40 Steps Beach and Bass Point.

Attractions

There are several attractions in Nahant, MA that visitors can enjoy. The town’s small beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the ocean views. Nahant Marsh is a popular spot for birdwatching and hiking. 40 Steps Beach is a unique geological formation that is worth exploring. Bass Point is another great spot for hiking and picnicking. Nahant also has several parks, including Nahant Beach Park and Nahant Town Park.

Nahant is a small town with a lot to offer the community living there and/or visiting. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore unique geological formations or hike through beautiful parks, Nahant has something for everyone.

Demographics

The population of Nahant, MA is 3,334. The town has a median household income of $94,231 and a median family income of $138,334. Nahant is a predominately white community, with 92.8% of the population being white. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.1% of the population.

Nahant is in Essex County, Massachusetts. Nahant has a total area of 1.0 square miles and is the smallest municipality in the state and mostly a residential community.

Nahant Real Estate

Nahant has a median home value of $725,700. The town’s property taxes are $6,144 per year. The median listing home price in Nahant, MA was $799K in April 2022, trending down -7.8% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $461. Currently listed homes for sale, ranging from $599K to $3.4M with an average of 69 days on the market.

Things to do while visiting Nahant, MA

In addition to its natural attractions, Nahant is also home to several historic sites. The Nahant Historical Society Museum is housed in an 18th-century house and features exhibits on the town’s history. The Nahant Life-Saving Station is a National Historic Landmark that tells the story of the brave men and women who saved shipwreck victims off the coast of Nahant.  Mass Audubon’s Nahant Thicket Wildlife Sanctuary is great for birdwatching and Wildlife refuge.

Restaurants in Nahant, MA

Nahant is home to several restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines.  Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed getaway, Nahant has something for everyone. Be sure to check out the town’s restaurants for a delicious meal during your stay.

Tides Restaurants & Pub- 2 Wilson Road- Casual beachside American restaurant

Seaside Pizza- 149 Nahant Road- Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery

Seasons Restaurant- 1 Willow Rd- Pizza, Seafood, Wine Bar, Steakhouse

The Clubhouse at Kelley Greens- 1 Willow Road- Dining and Golf

Public Schools

Johnson Elementary School- 290 Castle Road

Pop Culture

According to Wikipedia- Nahant appears in the 2015 post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout

Nahant was the basis for the fictional town of Lovecraft, Massachusetts, featured in the Eisner Award-winning comic series Locke & Key by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King. Some fictional locations in the book were based on real life landmarks in Nahant.

The narrator of Sarah’s Key, a novel by Tatiana de Rosnay, was Miss Nahant in her youth.

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.”