Hopkinton #4: Central MA’s Best Communities

Friday, June 29, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Hopkinton

#4 ranked Hopkinton, home of the Boston Marathon’s starting line, has its roots in agriculture, with the shoe and boot industries taking root in town in the mid-1800s. Today EMC, a data storage provider, has its world headquarters in town.

The town is home to two state parks, Hopkinton State Park and Whitehall State Park, which are popular recreation areas.

Hopkinton ranks in the top ten in three metrics: education (#3), economic condition (#3) and safety (#5), but it ranks 56th for affordability.

Hopkinton by the numbers

Established: 1715
Population: 14,925
Median household income: $120,240
Median housing price: $419,750

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 4
Affordability ranking: 56
Education ranking: 3
Economic condition ranking: 3
Safety ranking: 5
Arts & Culture ranking: 32
Restaurant ranking: 32

History in a nutshell:

Hopkinton is home to healing powers and the Boston Marathon. The town attracted people throughout the region because, at one time, it was believed that one of its lakes had magical healing powers. Buying into the belief, resorts were established and travelers would come to the town in order to take a dip in the magical mineral baths. The start-line of the famous Boston Marathon was moved to Hopkinton in 1924. Runners and fans have come to the town to watch the beginning the world-renowned race.

Famous residents:

Walter Brown, Founding owner of Boston Celtics, Basketball and Hockey Hall of Fames
Richard Egan, EMC Corporation founder
Mike Grier, NHL player
Daniel Shays, Leader of Shays' Rebellion
Steve Nicol- Coach of the New England Revolution soccer team

Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton