Lexington, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 The Lexington Minuteman statue in Lexington  Stone Building in East Lexington  The Lexington Depot | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Etymology: Likely fromLaxton, Nottinghamshire | |
| Nickname: Birthplace of American Liberty | |
| Motto: "What a Glorious Morning for America!" | |
 Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts | |
  Lexington  Lexington  Lexington | |
| Coordinates:42°26′51″N71°13′39″W / 42.4475°N 71.2275°W /42.4475; -71.2275 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Massachusetts |
| County | Middlesex |
| Region | New England |
| Settled | 1642 |
| Incorporated | 1713 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative town meeting |
| • Town Manager | Steve Bartha[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 16.5 sq mi (42.8 km2) |
| • Land | 16.4 sq mi (42.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 34,454 |
| • Density | 2,100/sq mi (811/km2) |
| Demonym | Lexingtonian |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP Codes |
|
| Area code | 339/781 |
| FIPS code | 25-35215 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619401 |
| Website | www.lexingtonma.gov |
Lexington is a suburban town inMiddlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located 10 miles (16 km) from DowntownBoston. The population was 34,454 as of the2020 census.[2] The area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, and was first settled by Europeansc. 1642 as a farming community. Lexington is well known as the site of the first shots of theAmerican Revolutionary War, in theBattle of Lexington on April 19, 1775, where the "Shot heard 'round the world" took place. It is home toMinute Man National Historical Park.
Native Americans inhabited the area that would become Lexington for thousands of years prior toEuropean colonization of the Americas, as attested by a woodland-era archaeological site near Loring Hill south of the town center.[3] At the time of European contact, the area may have been a border region betweenNaumkeag or Pawtucket to the northeast,Massachusett to the south, andNipmuc to the west, though the land was eventually purchased from the Naumkeag.[3][4][5][6] The contact period introduced a number of European infectious diseases which would decimate native populations invirgin soil epidemics, leaving the area largely uncontested upon the arrival of large groups of English settlers in thePuritan Great Migration. In 1639, theMassachusetts General Court purchased the land that would become present-day Lexington, then within the boundaries ofCambridge, from theNaumkeagSquaw Sachem of Mistick.[6]
The area that is now Lexington was first settledc. 1642[7] as part ofCambridge, Massachusetts.[7] As the population increased, Lexington was incorporated as a separate parish, called Cambridge Farms, in 1691. This allowed the residents to have their own local church and minister, although they were still under jurisdiction of the Town of Cambridge. Lexington was incorporated as a separate town in 1713. It was then that it got the name Lexington.[8] How the town received its name is the subject of some controversy. One view is that it was named in honor ofLord Lexington, an Englishpeer.[9][better source needed] Another view is that it was named after Lexington (which was pronounced and is today spelledLaxton) inNottinghamshire,England.[10]
In the early colonial days,Vine Brook, which runs through Lexington,Burlington, andBedford, and then empties into theShawsheen River, was a focal point of the farming and industry of the town. It provided water for many types of mills, and in the 20th century, for farm irrigation.
On April 19, 1775, what many regard as the first battle of theAmerican Revolutionary War,the Battle at Lexington, took place. On the night of April 18, the British Army sent out 800 grenadiers and light infantry soldiers on foot fromBoston, with the intention of destroying Colonial gunpowder and cannons that were being stored inConcord, as well as capturing two leaders of theSons of Liberty,John Hancock andSamuel Adams, who were staying in Lexington.[citation needed][11] Hancock and Adams were warned of the danger by two alarm riders,Paul Revere andWilliam Dawes, who alerted the countryside of the British military movements. When the British arrived on theLexington Common not long after sunrise, they faced 77 men of the Lexington militia, commanded byCaptain John Parker. Someone — still unknown to this day — fired a shot, provoking an exchange of musket fire between the two sides.[citation needed] Eight Lexington militia men were killed, dozens more wounded. After the rout, the British marched on toward Concord. There, several hundred militia and minute men from nearby towns assembled near theOld North Bridge to turn back the British and prevent them from capturing and destroying the Colony's stores of gunpowder and military equipment.[12]
Today, the town annually commemorates the battle on the Battle Green in downtown withPatriots' Day festivities including reenactments, historic house tours, concerts, various ceremonies, and a parade.[13][14]
For decades after the Revolutionary War, Lexington grew modestly while remaining largely a farming community, providing Boston with much of its produce. Many of these farms became dense housing developments and subdivisions by the 1970s. One notable housing development was thePeacock Farm residential neighborhood. It was designed by architectWalter Pierce and was built between 1952 and 1958. As of 2012, the neighborhood was on theNational Register of Historic Places. Lexington always had a bustling downtown area, which remains to this day. Lexington began to prosper, helped by its proximity to Boston, and having a rail line (originally theLexington and West Cambridge Railroad, later theBoston and Maine Railroad) service its citizens and businesses, beginning in 1846 until 1981. In 1984, Due to the rapid urbanization that occurred in many other suburbs like Lexington, TheMBTA proposed expanding theRed Line through Lexington, terminating in Bedford. Despite Lexington and Bedford being on board with the idea, Arlington residents lobbied against the plan and it was shot down by the Board of Selectmen.[15]
Lexington, as well as many of the towns along theRoute 128 corridor, experienced a jump in population in the 1960s and 1970s, due to the high-tech boom. In the 21st Century, major companies such asTakeda Pharmaceutical Company andBAE Systems have operations within the city limits. The urbanization and massive job growth resulted in soaring property values, and the school system becoming nationally recognized for its excellence.[16] The town participates in theMETCO program, which buses minority students from Boston to suburban towns to receive better educational opportunities than those available to them in the Boston Public Schools.[17]
Lexington was theCold War location of the USAF "Experimental SAGE Subsector"[18] for testing a developmental prototype IBM computer, which that arrived in July 1955[19] for development ofa computerized "national air defense network"[20] (the namesake "Lexington Discrimination System" for incoming ICBM warheads was developed in the late 1960s).[21]
Lexington is located at42°26′39″N71°13′36″W / 42.44417°N 71.22667°W /42.44417; -71.22667 (42.444345, −71.226928).[22]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 16.5 square miles (42.8 km2), of which 16.4 square miles (42.5 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km2), or 0.85%, is water.
Lexington is bordered byBurlington,Woburn,Winchester,Arlington,Belmont,Waltham,Lincoln, andBedford. It has more area than all other municipalities that it borders.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,893 | — |
| 1860 | 2,329 | +23.0% |
| 1870 | 2,277 | −2.2% |
| 1880 | 2,460 | +8.0% |
| 1890 | 3,197 | +30.0% |
| 1900 | 3,831 | +19.8% |
| 1910 | 4,918 | +28.4% |
| 1920 | 6,350 | +29.1% |
| 1930 | 9,467 | +49.1% |
| 1940 | 13,187 | +39.3% |
| 1950 | 17,335 | +31.5% |
| 1960 | 27,691 | +59.7% |
| 1970 | 31,886 | +15.1% |
| 1980 | 29,479 | −7.5% |
| 1990 | 28,974 | −1.7% |
| 2000 | 30,355 | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 31,394 | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 34,454 | +9.7% |
| 2022 | 34,074 | −1.1% |
Source:United States census records andPopulation Estimates Program data.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] | ||
| Race(NH = Non-Hispanic) | 2020[34] | 2010[35] | 2000[36] | 1990[37] | 1980[38] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 56.7% (19,519) | 73.7% (23,138) | 85.1% (25,822) | 91.1% (26,406) | 95.3% (28,102) |
| Black alone (NH) | 1.3% (459) | 1.5% (457) | 1.1% (337) | 1.1% (309) | 1% (290) |
| American Indian alone (NH) | 0.1% (21) | 0.1% (21) | 0.1% (20) | 0.1% (15) | 0% (0) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 33.1% (11,404) | 19.9% (6,239) | 10.9% (3,306) | 6.5% (1,870) | 2.6% (764) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0% (0) | 0% (3) | 0% (1) | ||
| Other race alone (NH) | 0.7% (236) | 0.2% (77) | 0.2% (61) | 0.1% (20) | 0.1% (35) |
| Multiracial (NH) | 4.7% (1,635) | 2.4% (746) | 1.3% (380) | — | — |
| Hispanic/Latino (any race) | 3.4% (1,180) | 2.3% (713) | 1.4% (428) | 1.2% (354) | 1% (288) |
The most reported ancestries in2020 were:[39]
As of thecensus[40] of 2010, there had been 31,394 people, 11,530 households, and 8,807 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,851.0 inhabitants per square mile (714.7/km2). There were 12,019 housing units at an average density of 691.1 per square mile (266.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 68.6%White, 25.4%Asian (15.4%Chinese, 4.8%Asian Indian, 3.2%Korean[41]), 1.5%Black orAfrican American, 0.1%Native American, 0.0%Pacific Islander, 0.5% fromother races, and 2.6% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 2.3% of the population.
There were 11,530 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% weremarried couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. Of all households, 20.8% were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
In 2018,[42] the mean home price was $910,584, and the median price of a house was $1,050,821. According to a 2018 estimate,[43] the median income for a household in the town was $191,350, and the median income for a family was $218,890. Males had a median income of $101,334 versus $77,923 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $70,132. About 1.8% of families and 3.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
By race, the median household income was highest for mixed race households, at $263,321. Hispanic households had a median income of $233,875. Asian households had a median income of $178,988. White households had a median income of $154,533. Black households had a median income of $139,398. American Indian or Alaskan Native households had a median income of $125,139.[44]
As of 2022, Lexington had the highest Asian population in Massachusetts, reflecting 32% of the population. Thirty-three percent of Lexington residents were born outside of the United States.[45] This racial diversity is largely reflected in the Lexington Public Schools, where Asians compose over 45% of the student population.[46]
MBTA bus operates three routes that connect with theRed Line atAlewife station inCambridge.[47] The city of Lexington operates three weekday bus routes via its own Lexpress service, with their inbound terminus beingDepot Square.[48]
The town uses a five-member Select Board. The day-to-day operations are handled by aTown Manager hired by the Select Board. ARepresentative town meeting, acts as the legislative body, made up of 203 members, including 21 citizens elected from each of nine precincts for three-year staggered terms, and it meets at least once a year. At-large member positions include the Select Board, Town Counsel, Town Clerk and the School Committee chairman.[49] Article LXXXIX Section 8 of the Massachusetts Constitution permits towns with a population greater than 12,000 to adopt a city form of government. The Town of Lexington meets the population requirement to become a city, but has not done so, in part because it would lose its ability to engage citizens in local government under the Representative Town Meeting form of government.
Lexington is Represented by State RepresentativeMichelle Ciccolo, State SenatorsCindy Friedman andMichael Barrett, all Democrats. Lexington is inMassachusetts's 5th congressional district, currently represented byKatherine Clark. Federally, Lexington is heavily Democratic, having not voted Republican since1980. Even inScott Brown's upset2010 Senate special election, he received just 34% of the vote, toCoakley's 64%.
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 77.2%14,362 | 17.6%3,279 | 5.2%962 |
| 2020 | 81.3%16,308 | 16.6%3,337 | 2.0%403 |
| 2016 | 77.1%13,900 | 18.2%3,279 | 4.7%854 |
| 2012 | 70.2%12,750 | 29.1%5,293 | 0.7%185 |
| 2008 | 72.2%12,984 | 26.1%4,593 | 1.7%199 |
| 2004 | 70.6%12,334 | 27.5%4,834 | 1.9%207 |
| 2000 | 63.1%10,623 | 26.9%4,741 | 10.1%1,349 |
| 1996 | 63.6%10,659 | 27.4%4,824 | 9.0%1,002 |
| 1992 | 55.4%10,015 | 26.7%5,001 | 17.9%2,000 |
| 1988 | 57.0%10,252 | 40.3%7,252 | 2.7%245 |
| 1984 | 53.1%9,397 | 45.8%8,118 | 1.1% 184 |
| 1980 | 37.3% 6,557 | 39.8%6,999 | 22%3,745 |
| 1976 | 49.6%8,494 | 45.6%7,814 | 4.8%544 |
| 1972 | 52.1%8,478 | 45.7%7,432 | 2.2%366 |
| 1968[51] | 55.4%7,941 | 42.4%6,075 | 2.2%309 |
| 1964[52] | 67.7%8,760 | 31.6%4,085 | 0.7%96 |
| 1960[53] | 41.6%5,371 | 57.9%7,484 | 0.5%59 |
| 1956[54] | 23.4%2,607 | 76.4%8,512 | 0.2%22 |
| 1952[55] | 22.7%2,108 | 77.1%7,155 | 0.2%16 |
| 1948[56] | 27.6%1,795 | 70.7%4,603 | 1.7%111 |
| 1944[57] | 28.7%1,778 | 71.2%4,410 | 0.1%9 |
| 1940[58] | 29.0%1,689 | 70.8%4,129 | 0.2%16 |
| 1936[59] | 28.8%1,498 | 67.0%3,489 | 4.2%217 |
| 1932[60] | 30.0%1,368 | 67.7%3,091 | 2.3%107 |
| 1928[61] | 31.1%1,180 | 68.7%2,609 | 0.2%9 |
| 1924[62] | 17.0%432 | 76.8%1,949 | 6.1%156 |
| 1920[63] | 18.4%403 | 80.5%1,768 | 1.1%25 |
| 1916[64] | 34.0%351 | 65.1%672 | 0.9%9 |
| 1912[65] | 28.1%264 | 33.8%318 | 38.1%358[a] |
| 1908[66] | 19.9%161 | 77.3%626 | 2.8%23 |
| 1904[67] | 25.5%180 | 72.9%514 | 1.6%11 |
| 1900[68] | 24.9%155 | 70.9%441 | 4.2%26 |
| 1896[69] | 13.9%82 | 80.3%473 | 5.8%34 |
| 1892[70] | 40.4%252 | 58.5%365 | 1.1%7 |
| 1888[71] | 38.3%220 | 61.7%355 | 0.0%0 |
| 1884[72] | 39.8%185 | 56.8%264 | 3.4%16 |
| 1880[73] | 35.8%155 | 64.2%278 | 0.0%0 |
| 1876[74] | 38.4%177 | 61.6%284 | 0.0%0 |
| 1872[75] | 26.4%79 | 73.6%220 | 0.0%0 |
| 1868[76] | 40.9%124 | 59.1%179 | 0.0%0 |
The Lexington Police Department (LPD) is responsible for law enforcement in the town of Lexington, handling investigations, patrol, and traffic safety/control, with 51 sworn officers. They also host a youth academy for children aged 12–17 as well as a Police Explorers Program (For high school students interested in the comprehensive learning of Law Enforcement). It is led by Chief of Police Michael McLean.
The Lexington Fire Department (LFD) provides both fire and rescue, and emergency medical services to the town of Lexington. The date of its formation is unknown. It is based in the Fire Department Headquarters, with a secondary East Lexington Station, having 61 firefighters and EMS personnel. It is led by Fire Chief Derek Sencabaugh.
Lexington'spublic education system includes sixelementary schools, twomiddle schools, and onehigh school. Students may attendMinuteman Regional High School as an alternative to the localLexington High School. In 2012, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024, Lexington High School won the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)National Science Bowl competition.[77] In 2019 and 2021,Jonas Clarke Middle School won theNational Middle School Science Bowl competition.[78]
|
Lexington is home to the Lexington Symphony, which performs regularly at Cary Hall.[81][82]
Major employers in Lexington includeTakeda (formerlyShire),BAE Systems,MIT Lincoln Laboratory,Novo Nordisk,Agilent,Global Insight,CareOne, theCotting School,Ipswitch, andLexington Public Schools.[83]
Lexington is asister city of:[87]
All XD-1 frames have now been delivered. The LRI and output frames arrived 29 July. Display consoles and associated equipment have not yet been delivered.
the AN/FSQ-7…was developed, built and maintained by IBM. … In June 1956, IBM delivered the prototype of the computer to be used in SAGE.
Geographic data related toLexington, Massachusetts atOpenStreetMapMunicipalities and communities ofMiddlesex County, Massachusetts,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns |
| |
| CDPs | ||
| Other villages | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
