Rowley, MA

Full City Profile · Massachusetts · Essex County County

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
1,576 Population 922/sq mi density
$106,250 Median Income $73,103 per capita
$615,500 Home Value $805,924 Zillow
$1,100 Median Rent 27.8% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$106,250 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$615,500 home value, $1,100/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
56.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Rowley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.9 inches. The area receives 61.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density922/sq mi
Coordinates42.7180°N, 70.8669°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyEssex County County
Nearest AirportBeverly Regional (BVY)
10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 44.9"
18% above US avg
Snowfall 61.9"
Wettest Month (Oct) 4.54"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.93"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood
Good Days %82.0%
Unhealthy Days4

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0421 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)8.1 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score95.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability34.2 / 100
Community Resilience95.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively High
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Coastal Flood Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

37 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M3.8 on Jan 27, 2025.

Oct 16, 2012 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine M4.7 99 km
Jan 27, 2025 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine M3.8 46 km
Oct 2, 1994 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.7 123 km
Oct 6, 1992 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.4 89 km
Jan 12, 2015 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut M3.3 137 km
Oct 2, 1994 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.3 118 km
Sep 26, 2010 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.2 89 km
Mar 22, 1996 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island M3.1 118 km
Jan 10, 1999 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.1 16 km
Jan 27, 2000 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire M3.0 40 km
Jan 10, 1999 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.0 17 km
Jul 22, 2003 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts M3.0 94 km
Jan 8, 1998 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts M2.9 69 km
Apr 25, 2023 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire M2.9 128 km
Jun 7, 2010 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.9 57 km
Sep 28, 2002 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire M2.8 72 km
Mar 23, 1992 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire M2.8 107 km
Mar 21, 2016 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire M2.8 95 km
Mar 9, 2008 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.8 53 km
Mar 9, 2020 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine M2.7 105 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Arthur (2014, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2014 Arthur Category 1 296 km
1991 Bob Category 2 33 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 183 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

134 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 87 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 22, 1981 EF3 98 km 0
Sep 29, 1974 EF3 33 km 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 29 km 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 96 km 0
Jul 28, 2014 EF2 38 km 0
Jul 24, 2008 EF2 60 km 1
May 21, 2006 EF2 23 km 0
Jul 6, 1999 EF2 75 km 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 95 km 0
Jul 3, 1997 EF2 84 km 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF2 83 km 0
May 3, 1976 EF2 46 km 0
Jul 21, 1972 EF2 45 km 0
Jul 3, 1972 EF2 91 km 0
Jul 17, 1968 EF2 77 km 0
Nov 18, 1967 EF2 83 km 0
Oct 10, 1966 EF2 80 km 0
Aug 31, 1966 EF2 90 km 0
Aug 28, 1965 EF2 38 km 0
Jun 9, 1963 EF2 60 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 ac, 2005).

Year Name Acres Distance
2005 THE RANGE 760 69 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 3.2 in Coldest
February 30°F (-1°C) 2.9 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 4.2 in
April 47°F (8°C) 4.3 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.4 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.8 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.3 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.5 in Wettest
November 43°F (6°C) 4.0 in
December 34°F (1°C) 4.2 in

Rowley has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 28°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.9 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.9").

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