Westminster #29: Central MA’s Best Communities

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Westminster

Home to Mount Wachusett, #29 ranked Westminster’s rural charm makes it an ideal place to live, work and play. The Midstate Trail, which runs from Rhode Island to Mount Watatic in Ashburnham, runs along the town’s southeast border with Princeton before heading north. Princeton and Westminster were both incorporated in 1770, and the two towns jointly hosted several 250th anniversary events, including New Year's Eve fireworks at the Mount Wachusett Ski Area.

Westminster comes in at #20 for arts and culture and #40 for economic condition, but the rest of the town's rankings are slightly above the median.

First Congregational Church of Westminster

Westminster by the numbers

Established: 1770
Population: 7277
Median household income: $79,073
Median housing price: $200,000

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 29
Affordability ranking: 28
Education ranking: 31
Economic condition ranking: 40
Safety ranking: 29
Arts & Culture ranking: 20
Restaurant ranking: 36

History in a nutshell:
Westminster, settled in 1737 and incorporated in 1770, has remained a rural town since its foundation. The base of Wachusett Mountain lies within the town’s borders. The mountain is the largest stand-alone mount east of the Berkshires and has made hiking, skiing and biking a key part of the town's identity throughout Westminster’s history.

Famous residents:
George Land, Former US ambassador to North Yemen
Marcus A. Coolidge, Former US Senator
Nelson A Miles, Former Commanding General of the US Army

Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton