Jump to content

Weston, Massachusetts

Coordinates: 42°22′00″N 71°18′13″W / 42.36667°N 71.30361°W / 42.36667; -71.30361
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Innapoy (talk | contribs) at 01:51, 24 April 2012 (→‎Notable people). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Weston, Massachusetts
Town
Town Hall
Town Hall
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°22′00″N 71°18′13″W / 42.36667°N 71.30361°W / 42.36667; -71.30361
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyMiddlesex
Settled1642
Incorporated1713
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
Area
 • Total17.3 sq mi (44.9 km2)
 • Land17.0 sq mi (44.1 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation
180 ft (55 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,261
 • Density650/sq mi (250/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
02493
Area code781 / 339
FIPS code25-77255
GNIS feature ID0618245
Websitewww.weston.org

Weston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Boston metro area. The population of Weston, as of the 2010 U.S. Census, was 11,261.[1]

Weston is the wealthiest suburb in the Boston area and has the highest per capita income in Massachusetts.[2] Weston is among the 100 most affluent towns with 1,000 or more households in the United States.[3] Weston also has the number one public school system in Massachusetts, according to Boston Magazine (2009).[4] It has the lowest crime rate among Metro-west Boston suburbs. It was a dry town from 1838 until 2008.[5] Incorporated in 1713, the town is located on a rugged upland plateau.[6]

History

The town of Weston was originally established as the West Precinct of Watertown in 1698. The town was separately incorporated as the town of Weston in 1713.

Weston is located on a rugged upland plateau. Early settlers discovered that the amount of useful agricultural land was limited as was the waterpower potential in the town. But colonists moving in from Watertown in the mid-17th century established scattered farms in Weston, and by 1679, a sawmill, several taverns, some doctors, and according to the historians, "probably some lawyers," had settled in Weston.

By the 18th century, residents were profiting by the traffic on the Boston Post Road. Taverns of great historic importance were established on the Road. The Golden Ball Tavern, built in 1750, and the Josiah Smith Tavern, built in 1757, still exist in the town. Unfortunately, commercial stagnation followed the loss of business after the opening of the Worcester Turnpike in 1810 drew commercial traffic from the Boston Post Road. Townspeople turned to boot and shoe making, and the manufacturing of cotton and woolen mill machinery. By 1870, substantial country estates were being built in Weston by Bostonians, establishing a prosperous residential character for the town. Farming continued to be a significant support for the local economy, and an organ factory opened in 1886 which employed some residents. The Weston Aqueduct and Reservoir were built in 1903 and the Hultman Aqueduct followed in 1938 to bring Quabbin Reservoir water into Boston. In exchange, Boston residents continued to build homes in Weston, many of them architect designed.

Some famous architects such as McKim and Richardson designed luxurious houses in the town, which witnessed a rapid increase in population from 1920 to 1935, and then again after World War II. The Boston oriented suburbanization has continued as a major factor in the town's development. Residents are very proud of the town's school system and the handsome homes in quiet, well-kept neighborhoods, but tend to brush off the town's reputation as one of the most affluent communities in the state. Weston has carefully retained significant amounts of open space and maintains over 60 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, playgrounds, ball fields, golf courses and cross-country skiing areas.[7][8]

Weston was also the home of the Hastings Hook organ company until a fire destroyed the factory in the early 1900s . After the fire broke out the fire department responded however the water source (Stony Brook) was just on the other side of the railroad tracks. As the firemen were fighting the fire a train came along and cut all the hoses leaving the firemen without water and having to scurry to replace the cut hoses. Unfortunately for the factory this required more time and the fire consumed the wooden factory.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 17.3 square miles (45 km2), of which 17.0 square miles (44 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.85%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18501,205—    
18601,243+3.2%
18701,261+1.4%
18801,448+14.8%
18901,664+14.9%
19001,834+10.2%
19102,106+14.8%
19202,282+8.4%
19303,332+46.0%
19403,590+7.7%
19505,026+40.0%
19608,261+64.4%
197010,870+31.6%
198011,169+2.8%
199010,200−8.7%
200011,469+12.4%
201011,261−1.8%
* = population estimate.
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 11,469 people, 3,718 households, and 2,992 families residing in the town. The population density was 674.0 people per square mile (260.2/km²). There were 3,825 housing units at an average density of 224.8 per square mile (86.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.26% White, 1.18% African American, 0.05% Native American, 6.82% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 3,718 households out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.1% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $153,918 and the median income for a family was $200,000+, figures that had risen to $189,041 and over $230,000 by 2007. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $58,534 for females. The per capita income for the town was $79,640. About 2.1% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Weston was ranked as the 97th-wealthiest US ZIP Code in a Forbes survey in 2010.[19]

Politics

In 2008, Weston supported Democrat Barack Obama 60% to Republican John McCain 38%.[20]

Weston has historically been a Republican leaning community; however, it has trended strongly Democratic on the federal level in recent years. It has regularly supported Republican candidates for state level offices. Weston supported Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984, as well as George H.W. Bush in 1988, against homestate Governor Mike Dukakis for president of the United States. Since the 1992 election of Democrat Bill Clinton as president it has voted for the Democratic nominee in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Weston is located entirely within Massachusetts's 7th congressional district and is presently represented by Democrat Ed Markey in the House of Representatives.

In the United States Senate special election in Massachusetts, 2010 Weston voted 53% for Republican Scott Brown and 46% for Democrat Martha Coakley. Republican Scott Brown went on to win the election and is presently the junior senator from Massachusetts, replacing Ted Kennedy after his death.[21]

Education

Transportation

Weston is served by three MBTA commuter rail stations - Silver Hill, Kendall Green, and Hastings - all on the Fitchburg Line. All are small, limited-service stops.

Notable people

Sports figures

Points of interest

References

  1. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Weston town, Middlesex County, Massachusetts". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  2. ^ Massachusetts locations by per capita income
  3. ^ Highest income places in the United States with at least 100 households
  4. ^ http://www.bostonmagazine.com/boston/public2009
  5. ^ http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/09/popping_the_cor.html
  6. ^ http://weston.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={4B820259-C0BD-4FC8-A30A-16350219453E}
  7. ^ (Narrative based on information provided by the Massachusetts Historical Commission)
  8. ^ Farm Town to Suburb, The History and Architecture of Weston, Massachusetts, 1830-1980 by Pamela W. Fox, with Sarah B. Gilman, Photo Editor
  9. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  10. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  16. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  17. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  19. ^ http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/weston/2010/10/weston_ranks_97th_wealthiest_z.html
  20. ^ http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/election_results/ma_president/
  21. ^ http://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2010/senate/results.html
  22. ^ "Tremont School". tremontschool.org. December 3, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Weston, Massachusetts.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Weston,_Massachusetts&oldid=488918855"