Northborough #6: Central MA’s Best Communities

Friday, June 29, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Northborough

#6 ranking Northborough, has been home to various industries along the Assabet River, including grist and saw mills, iron and brick works and cotton and woolen mills. Today the town's industry is tied to the electronics industry. The town's recently opened Northborough Crossing is a blend of residential and retail establishments, which are providing additional revenue and jobs to the town.

Despite the major roads that travers the town, Northborough has remained a residential town, even as it continues to expand.

Northborough ranks in the top ten for three metrics: education (#5), safety (#7) and economic condition (#8). The town ranks 58th for affordability.

Northborough by the numbers

Established: 1766
Population: 14,155
Median household income: $102,969
Median housing price: $373,500

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 6
Affordability ranking: 58
Education ranking: 5
Economic condition ranking: 8
Safety ranking: 7
Arts & Culture ranking: 14
Restaurant ranking: 13

History in a nutshell:

Northborough was settled in 1672 and incorporated in 1766. The town's first Meeting House was built in 1746 where mandatory Congregational services were held and where the elected "tithing men" governed. At the time, there was no line between church and state. Northborough is home to the Old Town House which has the longest roof span of any known French Mansard style roof. The town became an Industrialized city, focusing on textiles, with the turn of the 19th Century, eventually fizzling out and reverted the town to farmland and suburbs.

Famous residents:

William Francis Allen, Classical Scholar
Mark Fidrych, Detroit Tigers pitcher
Nathaniel Raymond, Human rights investigator
Luther Rice, Founder of George Washington University
Mike Sherman, Former Head coach of Green Bay Packers

Famous residents source: Wikipedia
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton