📍 Location & Geography
Dracut is a town located in Middlesex County, in the northeastern part of the state of Massachusetts. It is situated along the Merrimack River and is bordered by the cities of Lowell and Tyngsborough, and the towns of Methuen and Andover. Dracut encompasses a total area of 21.36 square miles, of which 20.9 square miles is land and 0.46 square miles is water.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates for Dracut, Massachusetts are approximately 42.6704° N latitude and 71.3020° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Dracut is part of the Greater Lowell region and the Merrimack Valley, a bi-state area along the Merrimack River in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The town is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area, a major metropolitan area in the northeastern United States.
👥 Population & Demographics
As per the United States Census Bureau, Dracut had a population of approximately 31,352 as of 2020. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 41.2 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other races.
🏛️ History
Dracut was originally inhabited by the Pennacook tribe, a Native American tribe part of the Algonquin federation. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1653 and was officially incorporated as a town in 1701. The town was named after Draycott, a town in Somerset, England. Dracut played a significant role in the early textile industry of the Merrimack Valley in the 19th century.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Dracut is home to several parks and conservation areas, including the Veterans Memorial Park, the Beaver Brook Farm Reservation, and the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest. The town is known for its scenic landscapes, with the Merrimack River and Beaver Brook running through it. The town is also part of the important environmental area known as the Merrimack River Watershed.
🏫 Education
Dracut is served by the Dracut Public Schools district, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Dracut High School. The town is also home to the Greater Lowell Technical High School. For higher education, residents have access to nearby institutions such as the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College.
🚧 Transportation
Dracut is accessible by several major highways, including Route 113, Route 110, and Interstate 93. The town is also served by the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, providing bus service to Lowell and other nearby towns. The nearest major airport is Boston Logan International Airport, located about 30 miles southeast of Dracut.
📜 Trivia & Events
Dracut is known for its annual Old Home Day, a community event that celebrates the town’s history and community spirit with a parade, fireworks, and various entertainment. The town is also home to the historic Colburn/Cutter House, a colonial-era house that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.