Oxford #64: Central MA’s Best Communities

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Monday, June 25, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Best Communities Team

Oxford is ranked 64th in Central Mass.  

Oxford won’t turn 300 until next year, but the town is kicking off a year of celebration with a parade on July 8. This picturesque town is also home to the Clara Barton Birthplace Museum and the Barton Center for Diabetes Education.

Oxford scored in the middle of the pack for all of the rankings, except for education, where it ranked 64th. The town’s highest score was for affordability, where it came in at #29.
 

Established: 1713
Population: 13,709
Median household income: $65,845
Median housing price: $173,250

2012 Best Communities rankings
Overall ranking: 64
Affordability ranking: 29
Education ranking: 64
Economic condition ranking: 43
Safety ranking: 34
Arts & Culture ranking: 40

History in a nutshell:

Oxford was settled in 1686 by Hugeunots--French Protestants who fled to escape persecution in a Catholic nation--and incorporated in 1713. When it was settled, a fort was erected by the Huguenots to protect the French settlers from Native Americans. Oxford is also the home of Clara Barton who founded the American Red Cross in 1881 during the American Civil War. 

Famous residents:  

Michael Bartlett, Musician
Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross
Ebenezer Learned, General in the American Revolution
Nelson Davis, Civil War veteran
Tom Herrion, Head basketball coach at Marshall University

Notable residents source: Wikipedia 
Additional reporting by Grace Fenton

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