Framingham is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 66,910, making it the most populous town in Massachusetts. The 2004 population estimate is 65,598. It is often attributed to be the most populous town in the U.S. - incorrectly, as this distinction actually belongs to the Town of Hempstead, NY, which had a population of 755,924 in 2000. A charter change to make Framingham a city has been proposed more than once, but was defeated at referendum each time.
The town has twelve public schools (the largest being Framingham High School), two private schools, two parochial schools, one Jewish day school and one charter school; Framingham is also home to the original Sudbury Valley School, a well-known and controversial alternative school.
Framingham is famous for the Framingham Heart Study, as well as for the Dennison Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1844 as a jewelry and watch box manufacturing company by Aaron Lufkin Dennison, who became the pioneer of the American System of Watch Manufacturing at the nearby Waltham Watch Company. His brother, Eliphalet Whorf Dennison developed the company into a sizable industrial complex, which merged in 1990 into the Avery Dennison Company, with headquarters in Pasadena, California, and active corporate offices in the town. Framingham is also known for the former Framingham Union Hospital, now the MetroWest Medical Center. Teacher Christa McAuliffe was raised in the town and went to Framingham State College. Framingham is home to the corporate headquarters for the Bose Corporation, TJX Companies and Staples, Inc.. In addition, the Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are headquartered here.
Garden in the Woods, the largest landscaped collection of wildflowers in New England, is located within the town limits.
Framingham is located at 42°17'59" North, 71°25'35" West (42.299795, -71.426627). It is primarily a suburb of the cities of Boston and Worcester, but also has a separate role as the largest of the 9 towns in the MetroWest region. The town is connected to both cities via the Mass Pike (I-90) and Route 9.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.5 km2 (26.4 mi2). 65.1 km2 (25.1 mi2) of it is land and 3.4 km2 (1.3 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 4.99% water.
Framingham is served by the local bus service LIFT. Express bus service is also available to Boston's Logan Airport. Intercity buses operate to Boston, Hartford, Connecticut, and New York City. MBTA commuter rail operates to Boston and Worcester. Amtrak also operates service to Albany, New York, but most rail passengers will find it much easier to take a train to Boston, then take the commuter rail to Framingham.
Many businesses in Framingham's compact downtown are retail stores selling imported clothing, Brazilian (and other imported) food, wood craft supplies, and furniture; there are also a number of restaurants. The downtown area is centered on the "Y"-shaped intersection of Concord St. and Union Ave., called Memorial Square. The town hall building, officially Memorial Hall, is located on the northwest corner of this intersection; it is dedicated to Framingham's war dead.
Framingham Centre is a separate locus of development, located at the northern end of Union Ave. where it intersects Main St. Other centers include Nobscot, located at the intersection of Water St. and Edgell Rd., and Saxonville, located where Concord St., Water St., and Central St. intersect.
Another center of development is the "Golden Triangle", bordered by Route 9, Speen Street in Natick, and Route 30. This is the heart of the Framingham retail area, which includes the Framingham Mall, Shoppers' World, and many other stores in strip malls.
As of the census of 2000, there are 66,910 people, 26,153 households, and 16,573 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,028.4/km2 (2,663.6/mi2). There are 26,734 housing units at an average density of 410.9/km2 (1,064.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 79.77% White, 5.09% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 5.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.27% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. 10.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 26,153 households out of which 29.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 10.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $54,288, and the median income for a family is $67,420. Males have a median income of $46,122 versus $35,941 for females. The per capita income for the town is $27,758. 8.0% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Framingham was first settled in 1650 and was officially incorporated in 1700 on land formerly known as Danforth's Farms, after landowner Thomas Danforth, of Framlingham, England. Why the "L" was dropped for the new town's name is not known. Crispus Attucks, whose death was made famous in an etching of the Boston Massacre by Paul Revere, was born here. Framingham was also home to Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space, who died in the Challenger disaster. During the Post-World War II baby boom Framingham, like many other suburban areas, experienced a large increase in population and housing. Much of the housing constructed during this time consisted of split-level and ranch-styled houses. Framingham is also mentioned for having a Carvel factory in the episode titled "Da Boom" of Family Guy, though such does not actually exist (the town does have a Breyers, formerly Sealtest, ice cream plant, in the northeastern section adjoining the Mass Pike), and had been mentioned several times on Saturday Night Live both as a place name and as character names. Framingham is the site of the celebrated Framingham Heart Study.
Source:
FraminghamMassachusetts.com
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