Milford was first settled in 1662 as a part ofMendon after Native Americans, including the Sachem,Quashaamit, granted land to the early settlers.King Philip's War destroyed the town in 1676, but settlers returned in 1680.[2] The Mill River flows through Milford and had several conspicuous fords that were familiar to the Native Americans, and used by the early white settlers. These "mill (river) fords" are said to have given Milford its name.[3] Milford was incorporated April 11, 1780, and the first town hall built in 1819; a brick structure later named the Town House School. Thecurrent town hall was built in 1854 by architectThomas Silloway.[2]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.9 square miles (39 km2), of which 14.6 square miles (38 km2) is land, and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 1.82%, is water. Milford is drained by theCharles River.
As of thecensus[19] of 2000, there were 26,799 people, 10,420 households, and 7,200 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,835.6 inhabitants per square mile (708.7/km2). There were 10,713 housing units at an average density of 733.8 per square mile (283.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.95%White; 1.35%Black orAfrican American; 0.11%Native American; 1.76%Asian; 0.06%Pacific Islander; 1.99% fromother races; and 1.77% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino people of any race were 4.36% of the population.
There were 10,420 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 54.0% weremarried couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present; and 30.9% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18; 6.5% from 18 to 24; 33.2% from 25 to 44; 22.6% from 45 to 64; and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $50,856, and the median income for a family was $61,029. Males had a median income of $42,173 versus $30,989 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $23,742. About 5.8% of families and 7.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.
Milford has been growing at a fast rate since the introduction ofInterstate 495, which opened in the area with dual exits at Route 85 and Route 109 in 1969. Since then many major retailers have opened in town.
The core of Milford's governing system is therepresentative town meeting, where elected citizens can voice their opinions, but more importantly, directly effect changes in the community. Along with a Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator, Planning Board, Finance Committee, etc., the citizens of Milford have input into how the town is run.
The Milford Town Library was established in 1858.[21][22] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Milford spent 1.5% ($966,758) of its budget on its public library—approximately $35 per person, per year ($42.87 adjusted for inflation to 2021).[23]
Memorial Hall, home and museum of the Milford Historical Commission
Ted's Diner, placed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 2000, was the oldest diner built by the Tierney Diner Company. Ted's was left abandoned by the town and vandalized, eventually moved to make way for a new fire station.
St. Mary's Cemetery holds the onlyIrish round tower in the United States, built from local granite.
WMRC 1490-AM and simulcasted as MyFM 101.3 on FM is the radio station licensed to serve Milford. Local news every morning with school cancellations and general information also. Local sports broadcasts of the local school teams or the major Boston sports teams can be heard on many nights. A Classic Hits format is the music that is playing when the station is playing music.
This area also receives the major television stations that serve the Boston area, which can be received over the air or through a cable or satellite provider.
Norm Abram, carpenter and co-host ofThis Old House; host of theNew Yankee Workshop
Adin Ballou, author, religious leader and prominent 19th-century proponent of pacifism, socialism and abolitionism; wroteThe History of Milford, Massachusetts, 1882
Nikola Sacco, with Bartolomeo Vanzetti (AKASacco and Vanzetti) were Italian immigrants and anarchists who were controversially convicted of murder. Saccolived in Milford for about seven years.
^"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. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^"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. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^"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. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^"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. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^"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. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^"1850 Census"(PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. RetrievedJuly 12, 2011.
^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
^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 ReportsArchived January 23, 2012, at theWayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2010
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