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Southborough, Massachusetts

Coordinates: 42°18′20″N 71°31′30″W / 42.30556°N 71.52500°W / 42.30556; -71.52500
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Southborough, Massachusetts
Town
Center of Southborough
Center of Southborough
Official seal of Southborough, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°18′20″N 71°31′30″W / 42.30556°N 71.52500°W / 42.30556; -71.52500
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Settled1660
Incorporated1727
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
 • ModeratorPaul Cimino
 • Town
   Administrator		Mark Purple
 • Board of
   Selectmen		Lisa Braccio
Kathryn Cook
Sam Stivers
Chelsea Malinowski
Andrew Dennington
Area
 • Total15.7 sq mi (40.6 km2)
 • Land14.2 sq mi (36.6 km2)
 • Water1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2)
Elevation
306 ft (93 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total10,450
 • Density670/sq mi (260/km2)
DemonymSouthboronian
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
01772, 01745
Area code508/774
FIPS code25-63165
GNIS feature ID0618382
Websitewww.southboroughma.gov

Southborough is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It incorporates the villages of Cordaville, Fayville, and Southville. Its name is often informally shortened to Southboro, a usage seen on many area signs and maps. At the 2020 census, its population was 10,450 in 3,542 households.[1]

As of 2021, 43% of land use was residential, with 35% open space, including one-tenth of the town's area that is flooded by the Sudbury Reservoir.[2] Light industrial land use is concentrated along main roads, primarily Massachusetts Route 9, and there are several small business districts in the villages and along Route 9.[3]

History

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Southborough was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in July 1727. Southborough was primarily a farming community until mills began to tap the small rivers that ran through the town. By the end of the 19th century, Southborough was home to the manufacture of plasters, straw bonnets, boots, and shoes, among other things.

In 1727, Southborough split off as the "south borough" of Marlborough, much as Westborough had split off from Marlborough in 1717, ten years before.[4]

In 1898, the Fayville Dam was constructed to produce several reservoirs to supply a growing Boston with water. As a result, manufacturing vanished, and Southborough did not see substantial growth until the high-tech boom of the 1970s.

The Fay, Burnett, and Choate families had major impacts on the development of the town as it is today. St. Mark's Church, St. Mark's School, the Southborough Library, the Community House, and the Fay School were all built at least in part through the efforts of these families.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km2), of which 14.1 square miles (37 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), or 9.64%, is water.

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18501,347—    
18601,854+37.6%
18702,135+15.2%
18802,142+0.3%
18902,114−1.3%
19001,921−9.1%
19101,745−9.2%
19201,838+5.3%
19302,166+17.8%
19402,231+3.0%
19502,760+23.7%
19603,996+44.8%
19705,798+45.1%
19806,193+6.8%
19906,628+7.0%
20008,781+32.5%
20109,767+11.2%
202010,450+7.0%
202210,409−0.4%

Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

By the census[16] of 2010, the population had reached 9,767.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 8,781 people, 2,952 households, and 2,426 families residing in the town. The population density was 620.7 inhabitants per square mile (239.7/km2). There were 2,997 housing units at an average density of 211.8 per square mile (81.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.47% White, 0.54% African American, 0.07% Native American, 3.52% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.

There were 2,952 households, out of which 47.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.9% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97, and the average family size was 3.30.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $132,986, and the median income for a family was $129,454, although according to CNN, median family income had risen to $148,297 by 2009.[17] Males had a median income of $80,961 versus $50,537 for females. The per capita income for the town was $64,310. About 0.4% of families and 0.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

[edit]

Information technology services company Virtusa is based in Southborough.

Arts and culture

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Points of interest in Southborough are:

  • 9/11 Field
  • Elaine and Phillip Beals Preserve
  • Boroughs Loop Trail
  • Breakneck Hill conservation land
  • Community House
  • Pilgrim Congregational Church
  • Rural Cemetery
  • St. Mark's School
  • Fay School
  • Sudbury Reservoir Trail

The funeral scene from the movie Grown Ups was filmed at the Pilgrim Congregational Church.[18]

Annual events

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Southborough celebrates Heritage Day on Columbus Day. Events include a parade with the Algonquin High School marching band. Events in the week prior include a run/walk event and pumpkin-carving.

Library

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The public library in Southborough was established in 1852.[19][20] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Southborough spent 0.95% ($370,390) of its budget on its public library—approximately $38 per person, per year ($50.07 adjusted for inflation to 2022).[21]

Government

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The form of town government is open town meeting, in which the voters of the town assemble as the legislature. Each Town Meeting is managed by the elected Moderator, who also appoints most of the membership of the unelected boards.

The five members of the Select Board are elected to act as the executive body of the government. The Select Board delegates day-to-day operations to the Town Administrator.

Southborough has three school committees:

  • Southborough K–8 School Committee
  • Northborough-Southborough Regional School Committee
  • Assabet Valley Regional Vocational-Technical School Committee

Southborough's town elections are non-partisan.

Almost 60% of current[when?] voters registered without enrolling in any political party. Democrats slightly outnumber Republicans in the remaining forty percent. Minor party enrollments are negligible.

The State Representative is Kate Donaghue; The State Senator is Jamie Eldridge; the U.S. Representative is Jim McGovern; and the U.S. Senators are Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

Education

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Public and private educational campuses frame Southborough's downtown.

Public schools

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Southborough has six public schools. The four elementary and middle schools are inside town limits; the two high schools are regional schools in adjoining towns.

Private schools

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Southborough is home to a private secondary school, St. Mark's, which was founded in 1865 by Joseph Burnett. The oldest junior boarding school in the nation, the Fay School, was founded a year later in 1866 by Joseph Burnett's first cousin Harriet Burnett Fay.

Media

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  • Community Advocate, local news site[22]
  • My Southborough, news blog[23]

Infrastructure

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MBTA Commuter Rail train arriving at Southborough station

Transportation

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The MBTA Commuter Rail's Framingham/Worcester Line train stops at Southborough station, which opened to commuters on June 22, 2002. The station is located at 87 Southville Road[24] in the Cordaville neighborhood, with access from Route 85 near the border with Hopkinton. As of December 2023, trains inbound to South Station in Boston make 20 weekday stops at Southborough, and trains outbound to Union Station in Worcester make 21 weekday stops; 10 stops are made in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays.[25]

Interstate 495 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) both pass through Southborough, although neither have interchanges within town limits. Routes 9 and 30 are east–west routes passing through Southborough, while Route 85 serves the town as a north–south route.

Notable people

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Acting and music

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  • Storm Large (born 1969), singer, songwriter, actress and author[26]
  • Warner Oland (1879–1938), actor who appeared in 16 Charlie Chan movies from 1931 to 1937

Sports

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  • Doug Brown (born 1964), professional ice hockey player
  • Ryan Gallant (born 1982), professional skateboarder
  • Ben Johnson (born 1977), professional soccer player and coach
  • Fred J. Murphy (1886–1956), collegiate athlete, coach, and athletic director
  • Henry Thrun (born 2001), professional ice hockey player
  • Luis Tiant (born 1940), professional baseball player

Politics

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  • Francis B. Fay (1793–1876), merchant, politician, and philanthropist
  • Frank B. Fay (1821–1904), businessman and politician; son of Francis B. Fay
  • Winfield Scott Hammond (1863–1915), U.S. Representative from Minnesota (1907–1915) and Governor of Minnesota (1915)
  • David Pierce Jr. (1786–1872), lawyer and politician

Other

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  • Joseph Burnett (1820–1894), educator and businessman, founder of St. Mark's School
  • Daniel Pinckney Parker (1781–1850), merchant, shipbuilder, and businessman
  • Harold F. Smiddy (1900–1978), engineer, business manager, and management consultant
  • E. C. Spykman (1896–1965), children's novelist and journalist
  • Robert H. Thayer (1901–1984), lawyer, naval officer, and diplomat
  • Sigourney Thayer (1896–1944), theatrical producer, World War I aviator, and poet; brother of Robert H. Thayer
  • Michael Weishan, author, designer, popular historian and former television personality
  • John Garabedian, radio personality and DJ, known for creating and formerly hosting Open House Party and Party Liveline, as well as his work at Television and Radio Stations throughout New England

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Southborough town, Worcester County, Massachusetts". Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "Town of Southborough 2021 Master Plan" (PDF). June 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  3. ^ R.G. (August 2009). "Best Places to Live: 31. Southborough, MA". Money. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  4. ^ "An Act For Dividing The Town Of Marlborough, And Erecting A New Town There By The Name Of Southborough". The State Library of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  6. ^ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  7. ^ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. ^ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  9. ^ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ "6-Figure Towns". CNN. July 21, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  18. ^ "First day of filming". mysouthborough.com. May 18, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  19. ^ C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. Google books
  20. ^ Southborough Library. Retrieved November 10, 2010
  21. ^ July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: Municipal Pie Reports Archived January 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2010
  22. ^ "Community Advocate: Southborough". communityadvocate.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Melo, Beth. "My Southborough". mysouthborough.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  24. ^ "Southborough". MBTA.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "Framingham/Worcester Line Fall/Winter Schedule" (PDF). MBTA.com. December 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Beck, Byron (September 27, 2007). "Storm Goes Large". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
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