Ayer, MA

Ayer, Massachusetts

Introduction to Ayer, Massachusetts

Ayer, Massachusetts is 14 miles W of Lowell, Massachusetts (center to center) and 30 miles NW of Boston, Massachusetts. Located in Middlesex County, the population of the town is 7,287.

Ayer History

Originally an agricultural community, the first mill was built in Ayer in 1667. The Nipmuc Indians, the first inhabitants, called the area Nainacocius. The town, originally part of Groton, was also known as Groton Junction and South Groton. In 1871, it was incorporated as the town of Ayer. It was named for Dr. James Cook Ayer, who was a patent-medicine manufacturer who provided the funds to construct the Ayer Town Hall.

Ayer and Nearby Attractions

• Hands on Art Museum
• Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
• Wyman's Beach
• Shirley Historical Society Museum
• Willard Brook State Forest
• Nashoba Valley Ski Area

Things To Do In Ayer

The Ayer Library and the Hands on Art Museum are not far from Ayer. The Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge is also only a short distance away by the Nashua River. The Shirley Historical Society Museum, Discovery Museums, Middlesex Canal Museum, and Fruitland Museums are some of the areas museums. Local parks include the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, the Marshall State Forest, and the Silver Lake State Park.

Ayer Transportation

Worcester Regional Airport is a major airport in close proximity.

Ayer Higher Education

The closest colleges to Ayer are Middlesex Community College, Fitchburg State College, and Brandeis University.

High Points

Ayer strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Massachusetts):

Category	Trophy
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 9%
Low Property Crime (vs. Peers)	Top 11%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. Peers)	Top 17%
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. Peers)	Top 19%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. State)	Top 19%

Comparative Profile of Ayer, MA

Comparing Ayer to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Massachusetts (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Male Share of the Population
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
People Living Alone
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built
Affordability of Rents

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Ayer Almanac

Ayer Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Ayer Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Ayer, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Ayer Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Ayer Hospitals

NASHOBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
(Voluntary non-profit - Private)
200 GROTON ROAD
(978) 784-9000
Emergency Service: Yes

Ayer High Schools (2004)

AYER HIGH
141 WASHINGTON STREET
978-772-8600
Serves 374 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.6

Ayer Colleges

(List of All Massachusetts Colleges)

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