Melrose, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Melrose, Massachusetts | |
| Motto: One Community Open to All | |
| Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Settled | 1629 |
| Incorporated | 1900 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Mayor-council city |
| - Mayor | Robert J. Dolan |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4.8 sq mi (12.3 km²) |
| - Land | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Elevation | 133 ft (41 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 27,134 |
| - Density | 5,779.8/sq mi (2,231.6/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 02176, 02177 |
| Area code(s) | 339 / 781 |
| FIPS code | 25-40115 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0612780 |
| Website: http://www.cityofmelrose.org | |
Melrose is a city located in the Greater Boston metropolitan area and Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The population was 27,134 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
[edit] History
The area in which Melrose now lies was first explored by Europeans in 1628; the following year it became part of the town of Charlestown. In 1638 the area was split off and organized into the independent town of Ponde Fielde, but this was short lived; present-day Melrose was annexed to Malden in 1649, and was later referred to as the "North End" (of Malden). Melrose separated from Malden in 1850 and was organized as a town; in 1900, Melrose was incorporated as a city.
The name "Melrose" comes from the burgh of Melrose, Scotland.
[edit] Geography
Melrose is located at (42.459045, -71.062339).GR1
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles (12.3 km²), of which, 4.7 square miles (12.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (1.26%) is water.
Melrose is approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It borders five cities and towns: Malden, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, and Wakefield. Major geographic features include Ell Pond, Swains Pond, Mount Hood, Boston Rock, Pine Banks Park, and the eastern reaches of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
[edit] Government
Robert J. Dolan (D) is the mayor. Melrose is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Mike Festa (D). Richard R. Tisei (R) is the state senator. Edward J. Markey (D) represents Melrose (as part of the seventh district of Massachusetts) in the United States House of Representatives. The current senators from Massachusetts are John Kerry (D) and Edward M. Kennedy (D) United States Senate.
Melrose is served by an eleven-member Board of Aldermen. Four At-Large Aldermen (currently Paul Brodeur, Donald L. Conn, Jr., Geraldine R. Heavey and Ronald Seaboyer) are elected by the entire city, while the seven Ward Aldermen, elected by voters in their individual wards, are John N. Tramontozzi (Ward 1), David Buonopane (Ward 2), Francis X. Wright, Jr. (Ward 3), Robert A. Boisselle (Ward 4), Gail M. Infurna (Ward 5), Peter D. Mortimer (Ward 6) and William H. Forbes, Jr. (Ward 7). As of the 2007 election, the mayor shall be elected to a four year term and sit as a member of the School Committee. All aldermen are elected to two-year terms. City elections are held in odd- numbered years.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 27,134 people, 11,248 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,779.8 people per square mile (2,233.8/km²). There were 11,248 housing units at an average density of 2,395.9/sq mi (926.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.94% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population. 6.1% of the population is foreign born (2.8% Europe, 1.7% Asia, 0.8% North America).
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 8,519 | ||
| 1900 | 12,962 | 52.2% | |
| 1910 | 15,715 | 21.2% | |
| 1920 | 18,204 | 15.8% | |
| 1930 | 23,170 | 27.3% | |
| 1940 | 25,333 | 9.3% | |
| 1950 | 26,988 | 6.5% | |
| 1960 | 29,619 | 9.7% | |
| 1970 | 33,180 | 12.0% | |
| 1980 | 30,055 | -9.4% | |
| 1990 | 28,150 | -6.3% | |
| 2000 | 27,134 | -3.6% | |
| Est. 2006 | 26,666 | -1.7% | |
There were 10,982 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $62,811, and the median income for a family was $78,144. Males had a median income of $50,644 versus $39,517 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,347. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
The Melrose School district includes five elementary schools, the new Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, and Melrose High School.
[edit] Neighborhoods
- Bellevue
- Cedar Park
- Downtown Melrose
- East Side
- Horace Mann
- Melrose Highlands
- Mount Hood
- Oak Grove/Pine Banks
- Wyoming
[edit] Notable residents
- Brooks Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author
- Shawn Bates, professional hockey player
- Andy Brickley, professional hockey player, current game analyst on NESN's Bruins telecasts
- Gary Cherone, rock singer
- Will Cotton, American painter
- Clarence DeMar, American marathon runner (one of only two Americans to win three consecutive Boston marathons)
- Richard Evans Schultes, ethnobotanist
- Geraldine Farrar, Metropolitan Opera soprano, silent film star
- Martin Fowler, Author of 'Refactoring'
- Sara Leland, Principal ballerina, New York City Ballet
- Mary Livermore, American reformer
- Don Orsillo, Red Sox NESN announcer
- David Souter, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Elizabeth George Speare, American children's author
- Frank Stella, contemporary painter, sculptor; studio formerly located in Melrose
- Keith Tkachuk, professional hockey player
- Nancy Werlin, novelist
- Sewall Wright, geneticist known for his work on the evolution theory
[edit] Transportation
The city of Melrose is located seven miles north of Boston. The city has access to many highways including Route 1 in Saugus, Interstate 93 in Stoneham, and Route 128 in Wakefield. The city is also served by the MBTA. Service includes five bus routes: 106, 131, 132, 136 and 137. There are three commuter rail stations: Wyoming Hill, Melrose/Cedar Park, and Melrose Highlands. Oak Grove, the northern terminus of the MBTA's Orange Line, is located in Malden, very close to the Melrose line. Oak Grove is primarily a park-and-ride station with 788 parking spaces.
[edit] See also
- Melrose Symphony Orchestra
- Melrose Highlands
- MBTA Buses in Melrose, Stoneham, and Wakefield
- Pine Banks
- Middlesex Fells Reservation
- Mount Hood Golf Club
[edit] External links
- Melrose Official Website
- MMTV Melrose Massachusetts Television
- Melrose Public Library
- Melrose Public Schools
- City-Data.com Melrose Profile
- Melrose Free Press
- Mass Online Melrose Profile
- Melrose Mirror Senior Journal
- Melrose Symphony Orchestra
- Melrose, Massachusetts is at coordinates Coordinates:
lmo:Melrose, Massachusetts nl:Melrose (Massachusetts) vo:Melrose (Massachusetts)
