Newburyport is among the smallest cities in the state and is felt with some justification by its residents to be among the most beautiful, retaining as it does a large number of spacious, gracious Federalist homes built with the whaling and clipper ship fortunes of this 19th century seaport.

The city is very proud of its history: proud of the fact that the first tea party in opposition to England's tax on tea was held in Newburyport, well before the more famous one in Boston, and pleased to be the birthplace of the United States Coast Guard since the first ship commissioned for the Coast Guard, the frigate Massachusetts, was built in the city. Protective of its heritage, the city launched a massive redevelopment scheme in the early 1960's, using state and federal funds to reclaim its historic neighborhoods of granite, brick and cobblestones and provide up-to-date infrastructure such as water and sewer renovations.

But however steeped in the past, the city did not neglect to prepare for a lively present and built an industrial park at the same time, which now houses diversified small industries. The city has a strong tourist industry and was the first community in the state to complete a master plan and a harbor plan. Its adjacent river is used for recreation and its old fire station now houses a theatre and restaurant.

Many residents of the heavily residential community commute daily to Boston, and wait in hopes that the last 9 miles of the railroad route between Boston and Newburyport will be completed soon. It is expected that the completion of that link would encourage the growth of the community. Residents are proud of the fact that many families have lived in the city for generations, and equally proud of the fact that the city welcomes newcomers and the new ideas they bring.