Concord, Massachusetts
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| Concord, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Concord |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Nickname | "The Cradle of Liberty" |
| Pushpin label | Concord |
| Coordinates | 42, 27, 37, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Massachusetts |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Middlesex |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1635 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1635 |
| Government type | Open town meeting |
| Leader title | Town Manager |
| Leader name | Michael D. Driscoll |
| Leader title1 | Board of Select |
| Leader name1 | Michael Lawson (Chair), Henry Dane, Mary Hartman |
| Area total km2 | 67.4 |
| Area total sq mi | 26.0 |
| Area land km2 | 64.4 |
| Area land sq mi | 24.9 |
| Area water km2 | 3.0 |
| Area water sq mi | 1.2 |
| Elevation m | 43 |
| Elevation ft | 141 |
| Population total | 18491 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | −5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | −4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 01742 |
| Area code | 978/351 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 25-15060 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0619372 |
| Website | concordma.gov |
Concord, Massachusetts. Concord is a historic New England town in Middlesex County, famed as a pivotal site at the start of the American Revolutionary War. The town's rich intellectual heritage in the 19th century, centered on figures like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, cemented its place in American literary and philosophical history. Today, it is a residential community that preserves extensive historic landscapes and sites, attracting visitors from around the world.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Pennacook people before being settled by English colonists in 1635, making it one of Massachusetts's oldest inland towns. Concord's central role in the American Revolution began on April 19, 1775, when colonial militia confronted British Army regulars at the Old North Bridge in the opening battles of Lexington and Concord. This engagement, later memorialized by Ralph Waldo Emerson as the "Shot heard round the world," was a catalyst for the Siege of Boston and the wider war. In the 19th century, the town became the epicenter of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement championed by residents like Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Key sites from this period include Walden Pond, made famous by Thoreau's experiment in simple living, and the Old Manse, home to both Emerson and Hawthorne. The town also played a significant role in the Civil War, with many residents, including the young Thoreau, participating in the abolitionist movement.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.0 square miles, of which 24.9 square miles is land and 1.2 square miles is water. Concord is bisected by the Concord River, which flows from the Sudbury River and Assabet River confluence and was famously navigated by Thoreau and his brother in A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. Major water bodies include Walden Pond, a National Historic Landmark and state reservation, and White Pond. The landscape features extensive conservation land, including parts of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the Minute Man National Historical Park, which preserves the revolutionary battlefields. The town is bordered by Acton, Lincoln, Sudbury, Wayland, Carlisle, and Bedford.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 18,491. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations identifying as Asian, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino. The town is characterized by high levels of educational attainment, with a significant percentage of residents holding advanced degrees from institutions like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Median household income is substantially higher than the state and national averages, reflecting its status as an affluent suburb within the Boston metropolitan area.
Economy
Concord's economy is primarily residential, with many professionals commuting to employment centers in Boston and along the Route 128 technology corridor. The town maintains a vibrant, historic downtown centered on Monument Square, featuring local retail, restaurants, and professional services. A significant economic driver is heritage tourism, with major attractions like the Minute Man National Historical Park, the Concord Museum, and Orchard House (home of Louisa May Alcott) drawing thousands of visitors annually. The Concord Carlisle Regional School District is a major employer, as are several healthcare and technology firms with offices in the area.
Culture and notable people
Concord's cultural legacy is dominated by its 19th-century literary and philosophical figures. Key residents have included essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson; naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau; novelist Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women at Orchard House; and novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, who lived at the Old Manse. Sculptor Daniel Chester French, best known for the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial, was born here and created the *Minute Man* statue at the Old North Bridge. The town is home to prestigious institutions like the Concord Academy and the Concord Free Public Library, which houses special collections on local history. Annual events include the Concord Patriots' Day parade and ceremonies commemorating the Battle of Concord.
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