Community Spotlight – Hamilton, Massachusetts 

The North Shore Alliance for Economic Development serves 30 communities, including four Gateway Cities, and brings their leaders together to explore and take action on economic development issues that can help grow the region, including those that advance the Commonwealth as a whole.

Over the course of the next few months, we will explore and get to know these 30 communities that make up the North Shore region of Massachusetts. We hope our readers will learn more about the unique benefits each community brings to their residents and visitors and how collectively they strengthen our regional economy.  

Hamilton, Massachusetts 

Prior to European settlement, the area of Hamilton was inhabited by Agawam Indians and their Chief Masconomet. In 1638, the first Europeans settled in the area that was once part of Ispwich and was called “the Hamlet.” The area would quickly become populated due to the stagecoach that ran from Boston to Newburyport and crossed directly through the area. In 1793, Hamilton was incorporated and named after Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of the Treasury. His profile remains on the Town seal to this day. 

Hamilton is a landlocked town in south central Essex County. It has six neighboring towns including Wenham, and Manchester-By-The-Sea to the south, Essex and Ipswich to the north and east, and Topsfield to the north and west. 

Hamilton is closely tied to the neighboring town of Wenham. Together these towns share a school system, library, recreation department, and commuter rail station. 

The Town of Hamilton has a population of 7,561 according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report and measures 14.9 square miles. Hamilton is bordered by five surrounding towns including Topsfield and Ipswich to the north, Wenham to the south, and Essex and Manchester-By-The-Sea to the east. It is 26 miles from Boston, Massachusetts. 

Economic Strengths and Projects in Hamilton

Hamilton has a strong local government with a Town Manager and an open town meeting format. The Hamilton, Massachusetts website is a great resource for finding out what is going on in the Town in terms of schools, economy, and future planning. 

Future planning for improvements to the downtown area is ongoing with the Hamilton Development Corporation holding twice-monthly meetings that are open to the public. The Town is also in the process of creating a new Master Plan for the community as well with open public meetings. For more information about the economic development and community improvements visit Hamilton, Mass.

Economic Forecast 

According to Best Places Online, “Hamilton has seen the job market increase by 4.0% over the last year. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 38.7%, which is higher than the US average of 33.5%.” Additionally, Hamilton has an unemployment rate of 4.8% as compared to the U.S. average of 6% currently. 

Points of Interest and Events 

Points of interest in Hamilton include a focus on community recreation areas, equestrian events/spaces, a shopping district, and historical homes. 

Hamilton is an active town with many custom shops, restaurants, personal services and financial services especially along the main thoroughfare of Route 1a. 

Equestrian Heritage

Known for its equestrian heritage, Hamilton has many horse farms and a horse club, Myopia Hunt Club which offers equestrian events, a fox hunt, and polo matches on Sunday afternoons. 

Community Recreation

There is a strong sense of community in Hamilton, as evident in the many places for community members to gather and enjoy outdoor events. For instance, there are multiple community areas to play, including Patton Park which offers tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground (complete with an M4 Sherman tank), and a pavilion. 

The Community House, a historic social and civic community building serving the towns of Hamilton and Wenham, offers a wide range of classes and activities for all ages including theater, youth activities, and adult programs such as cardio classes and strength, balance, and flexibility classes. 

Council on Aging / Senior Center

The Town of Hamilton values its seniors and offers a robust Council on Aging and Senior Center for its residents who are interested across Bay Road from the Community House. They offer many programs and activities throughout the year.  

Historic Homes

Hamilton is also home to many historic homes, especially along the Historic District which extends along Bay Road. Twenty of these historic homes include a few early 18th-century Georgian houses and a larger number of 19th-century Greek Revival structures. These include the Austin Brown House, The Brown House, Emeline Patch House, and the Woodbury Quarrels House. 

Further historic areas to explore include Asbury Grove, an area formed during the camp meeting religious movement in the mid-19th century. The camp was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Asbury Grove Historic District in 2009.

The Patton Homestead was once home to the Patton family, including two great American generals – General George S. Patton Jr. and his son Major General George S. Patton IV. 

This property is a nationally significant historic property where the community and veterans can enrich their lives through cultural events, seasonal festivals, educational programming, and gatherings. 

Economic Resources 

Hamilton has access to the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce. Further resources can be found on their website. At the regional level, The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network-Northeast Region (MSBDC) provides “free, confidential, one-to-one business assistance and free or low-cost educational training programs to prospective and existing small businesses.”

In neighboring cities, there are several other resources such as the Enterprise Center at Salem State University, SCORE Mentoring, and MassHire North Shore Workforce Board.

For more information on the economy and resources as well as committees and departments of Hamilton, visit Hamilton, Mass.

Major Strengths of the Community 

Hamilton is a close-knit rural suburban town that cares about its businesses and its residents. There are many local amenities and a strong sense of community in all the events and outdoor activities. 

Why Choose to Live or Do Business in Hamilton? 

Hamilton is easily accessible via Mass Commuter Rail and Route 128 on the North Shore. Its location makes commuting convenient. The school system in Hamilton/Wenham is one of the best in the state and is known for being a strength of both Towns. 

Public Transportation & Navigating Hamilton, Massachusetts 

The nearest major highway is Route 128 which can be accessed via Route 1a through Beverly, Massachusetts. Beverly Airport is the closest local airport just minutes away in neighboring Beverly, Massachusetts and the nearest national and international airport is Logan Airport in Boston. 

Conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Hamilton, shops, and many homes is the MBTA Commuter Rail Hamilton/Wenham. This centrally located stop provides service from Boston’s North Station with the Hamilton/Wenham station on its Newburyport branch of the Newburyport/Rockport Line.

Contact Hamilton, Massachusetts station

The North Shore Alliance Community page can also be a source of information regarding economic development sites within the North Shore communities.

Joseph J. Domelowicz Jr.

Town Manager

Laurie Wilson

Assistant to the Town Manager 

& Community Preservation Coordinator

Town Hall
577 Bay Road
P.O. Box 429
Hamilton, MA 01936

978-626-5202