Foxborough, Massachusetts

Foxborough, Massachusetts
Name	Foxborough, Massachusetts
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Massachusetts
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Norfolk
Established title	Settled
Established date	1704
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date2	1778
Government type	Representative town meeting
Area total km2	54.2
Area land km2	52.0
Area water km2	2.2
Elevation m	88
Elevation ft	289
Population total	18381
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	42, 03, 55, N...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	02035
Area code	508/774
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-24820
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618350
Website	www.foxboroughma.gov

Foxborough, Massachusetts. Foxborough is a town in Norfolk County, part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. It is internationally renowned as the home of Gillette Stadium, the venue for the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. The community blends its historic New England character with its modern identity as a major sports and entertainment destination.

History

The area was originally part of the Wampanoag tribal territory and was later settled by colonists from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1704, initially known as the West Parish of Stoughton. It was officially incorporated in 1778 and named for Charles James Fox, a British Whig statesman who supported the American Revolution. Early industry centered around iron forging, sawmills, and textile manufacturing, with the Foxborough State Hospital opening in the early 20th century. The town's modern transformation began with the 1971 opening of Sullivan Stadium, later renamed Foxboro Stadium, which established it as a regional hub for professional sports and large-scale concerts.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Foxborough has a total area of 54.2 square kilometers, of which 52.0 square kilometers is land and 2.2 square kilometers is water. The town is bordered by Wrentham, Walpole, Sharon, Mansfield, and Norfolk. Major water bodies include Lake Massapoag and the Cochato River, which feeds into the Neponset River watershed. The terrain features rolling hills and significant forested areas, with parts of the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest extending into the town.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 18,381. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic white, with growing communities of Asian, Black, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income is above the state average, with a high percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Population density is moderate, with a mix of single-family homes, apartment complexes, and historic village centers.

Economy

The economy is dominated by the sports, entertainment, and hospitality sectors centered around Gillette Stadium and the adjacent Patriot Place retail and entertainment complex. Major employers include The Kraft Group, which owns the stadium and the New England Patriots, along with numerous restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets. Other significant sectors include healthcare, with facilities like the Brigham and Women's Hospital ambulatory care center, technology firms, and light manufacturing. The town also benefits from its proximity to major employment centers in Boston and along the I-95 corridor.

Government and infrastructure

Foxborough employs a Representative town meeting form of government, led by a five-member Board of Selectmen and a professional Town Manager. The town operates its own police and fire departments, with the Foxborough Fire Department providing emergency services. Public education is managed by the Foxborough Public Schools district, which includes the Ahern Middle School and Foxborough High School. Key transportation infrastructure includes access to Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, while public transit is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail at the Foxboro station.

Culture and recreation

Foxborough's cultural identity is inextricably linked to Gillette Stadium, which hosts not only NFL and MLS games but also major concerts by artists like Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney, and events such as the NCAA Lacrosse Championships. The Patriot Place complex features the Patriots Hall of Fame, the Showcase Live concert venue, a CBS Sports broadcast studio, and the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel. The town celebrates its heritage with events like the annual Foxborough Founders Day and maintains recreational facilities such as the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest for hiking and mountain biking, and the Foxborough Country Club.

Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:Towns in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Populated places established in 1778