Medway, Massachusetts

Medway, Massachusetts
Name	Medway, Massachusetts
Settlement type	Town
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Massachusetts
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Norfolk
Government type	Open town meeting
Established title	Settled
Established date	1657
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date2	1713
Area total km2	45.0
Area total sq mi	17.4
Area land km2	43.8
Area land sq mi	16.9
Area water km2	1.2
Area water sq mi	0.5
Population as of	2020
Population total	13,115
Population density km2	299.4
Population density sq mi	776.0
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Elevation m	60
Elevation ft	197
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	02053
Area code	508 / 774
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-40175
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618355
Website	www.townofmedway.org

Medway, Massachusetts. Medway is a town in Norfolk County, part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Settled in the 17th century and incorporated in 1713, it evolved from a farming community into a residential suburb. The town is known for its historic town common, proximity to the Charles River, and its location near major routes like I-495.

History

The area was originally part of the Praying Indian village of Wabanaki territory before European settlement began in 1657. Medway was officially incorporated in 1713, having been set off from neighboring Medfield. Early industry was powered by the Charles River, with mills producing textiles, paper, and straw goods becoming central to its economy in the 19th century. The arrival of the Milford Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad in the 1840s spurred further growth. Historic events include the raising of a Continental Army company during the American Revolutionary War and the establishment of the Medway Village Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Medway has a total area of 45.0 square kilometers, of which 43.8 square kilometers is land and 1.2 square kilometers is water. The town is bordered by Millis, Franklin, Bellingham, and Milford. The Charles River flows along its western border, and significant water bodies include Choate Pond and Oakland Lake. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and several conservation areas, such as the Medway Town Forest and land managed by the New England Forestry Foundation.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, Medway had a population of 13,115. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income is above the state average, and a high percentage of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Population density is approximately 776 people per square mile, with the majority of housing consisting of single-family homes. The town is part of the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government and infrastructure

Medway employs an Open town meeting form of government, led by a Board of Selectmen and a professional Town Administrator. The town provides full municipal services, including a Police Department and a Fire Department. Key infrastructure includes public water supplied by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and a modern sewage treatment facility. Medway is served by state routes like Route 109 and Route 126, and public transportation is available via the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's commuter rail line at nearby Franklin station.

Education

Public education is managed by the Medway Public Schools district, which includes Medway High School, Medway Middle School, and the Memorial and Burke-Memorial Elementary Schools. The district has received recognition from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students may also attend regional vocational-technical schools like the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. For higher education, residents have access to institutions such as Dean College in Franklin and Massachusetts Bay Community College.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Medway include John Quincy Adams II, a U.S. Representative and son of President John Quincy Adams; William Taylor Adams, a 19th-century author who wrote under the pen name "Oliver Optic"; and John L. Bates, the 41st Governor of Massachusetts. Modern figures include Mike Kolen, a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins during their perfect 1972 season, and John Olver, a former U.S. Congressman who represented Massachusetts's 1st congressional district.

Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:Towns in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Greater Boston