Hopedale #26: Central MA’s Best Communities

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Hopedale

Located on the southeastern edge of Worcester County, Hopedale occupies the valley of the upper Mill River. It was once a home to the Draper Corporation, which used to be the country's largest manufacturer of textile looms. The Draper family, who owned the corporation, donated the high school, playground and bandstand to the town and built roads, sidewalks, sewage systems and water and gas lines to the town.

Hopedale was finally incorporated as an independent town in 1886 when it separated from Milford, and is included in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

WIth all of its rankings in the top two-thirds of the list, Hopedale's highest rank is for education (#15), and its lowest ranks is for restaurants (#48).

Hopedale by the numbers

Established: 1886
Population: 5,911
Median household income: $97,227
Median housing price: $222,500

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 26
Affordability ranking: 24
Education ranking: 15
Economic condition ranking: 46
Safety ranking: 25
Arts & Culture ranking: 31
Restaurant ranking: 48

History in a nutshell:

Settled in 1660, Hopedale was not named until 1841. It received its name from the Practical Christians who developed the community on Christian and socialist ideologies. In addition to its religious roots, Hopedale grew rapidly as a result of the Industrial Revolution that affected many other mill villages in the area.

Famous residents:

Dana Gould, Comedian
Joe Perry, Member of Aerosmith
Ruth Pointer, Member of The Pointer Sisters

Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton