Andover, Massachusetts

Andover, Massachusetts
Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Andover, Massachusetts
Settlement type	Town
Coordinates	42, 39, 30, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Massachusetts
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Essex
Established title	Settled
Established date	1642
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1646
Government type	Representative town meeting
Leader title	Town Manager
Leader name	Andrew P. Flanagan
Leader title1	Board of Selectmen
Leader name1	Alex Vispoli, Laura M. Gregory, Christian C. Huntress
Area total km2	82.8
Area total sq mi	32.0
Area land km2	79.2
Area land sq mi	30.6
Area water km2	3.6
Area water sq mi	1.4
Elevation m	58
Elevation ft	190
Population total	36654
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	01810
Area code	978/351
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-01465
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618340
Website	www.andoverma.gov

Andover, Massachusetts. Andover is a historic New England town in Essex County, situated along the Shawsheen River approximately 20 miles north of Boston. Incorporated in 1646, it is renowned for its prestigious preparatory schools, its role in the Salem witch trials, and as a center for technological innovation. The town features a blend of colonial architecture, expansive conservation lands, and a vibrant community supported by a strong commercial base.

History

Originally part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the area was settled in 1642 by a group from Newbury and incorporated four years later, named after the English town of Andover. It played a tragic role in the Salem witch trials of 1692, where over 40 residents were accused and three were executed, including Martha Carrier. The community developed through agriculture and early industry, utilizing water power from the Shawsheen River for mills. In the 19th century, it became a significant center for the American woolen industry, with major mills operated by the American Woolen Company and the Smith & Dove Company attracting immigrant labor. The Andover Theological Seminary, founded in 1807, became a leading institution of Congregational thought, later merging to form the Andover Newton Theological School. The town's historical fabric is preserved in districts like the Andover Historic District and sites such as the Addison Gallery of American Art.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 32.0 square miles, of which 30.6 square miles is land and 1.4 square miles is water. Andover is bordered by North Andover, Methuen, Lawrence, and the towns of Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Billerica in Middlesex County. The Shawsheen River flows through the community, and significant natural features include Haggetts Pond, the Harold Parker State Forest, and the Charles W. Ward Reservation. The town's topography ranges from river valleys to wooded hills, contributing to its extensive network of conservation lands and trails.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 36,654. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Black residents. The median household income is significantly above the state average, and a high percentage of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Population density is moderate, with housing consisting of a mix of historic homes, suburban developments, and some multi-family units. Key demographic trends include steady growth, an aging population, and a highly educated workforce employed in professional sectors throughout the Greater Boston area.

Economy

Andover's economy has evolved from its roots in textile manufacturing to a diversified base of technology, healthcare, and professional services. It is a major corporate hub, hosting global headquarters and research facilities for companies like Merck, which operates a large campus, and Raytheon. The Andover Innovation Center supports startups and tech firms, continuing a legacy of innovation tied to figures like Samuel F. B. Morse and the AT&T-era Bell Labs, which had a significant presence in town. Retail and commercial activity is centered along routes like Route 28 and Route 133, with the Andover shopping plaza serving as a key destination. The presence of Phillips Academy and other institutions also contributes substantially to the local economy.

Education

Andover is internationally recognized for its educational institutions, most notably Phillips Academy, an elite co-educational independent boarding school founded in 1778, whose alumni include former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. The town is also home to the Andover Newton Theological School, now affiliated with Yale Divinity School, and Middlesex School, a private day school. Public education is managed by the Andover Public Schools district, which includes Andover High School, several middle schools, and elementary schools. The district is known for high academic performance and extensive extracurricular programs. Additionally, the Greater Lawrence Technical School serves vocational students from the region.

Notable people

Andover has been the home or birthplace of numerous influential figures across various fields. In politics and public service, these include former Massachusetts Governor John A. Volpe, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and CIA director George Tenet. Literary and artistic figures include poet Robert Frost, who taught at Phillips Academy, novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, and artist Frank Stella. Pioneers of science and innovation include inventor Samuel F. B. Morse, physicist and National Medal of Science winner Mildred Dresselhaus, and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Samuel Eliot Morison. The town is also associated with celebrities like actor and comedian Jay Leno and television host Mike Barnicle.

Category:Towns in Essex County, Massachusetts Category:Populated places established in 1646 Category:1646 establishments in Massachusetts