Millis, Massachusetts
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| Millis, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
| Name | Millis |
| 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 |
| Leader title | Town Administrator |
| Leader name | Charles Aspinwall |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1657 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1885 |
| Area total km2 | 33.0 |
| Area land km2 | 32.5 |
| Area water km2 | 0.5 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 8526 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 42, 10, 03, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 02054 |
| Area code | 508 / 774 |
| Website | www.millisma.gov |
Millis, Massachusetts. Millis is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, located approximately 25 miles southwest of Boston. The community was originally part of the larger town of Medfield before incorporating independently in the late 19th century. Known for its rural-suburban character, the town features significant conservation land and a historic center anchored by the First Congregational Church.
History
The area was first settled by European colonists in 1657 as the western precinct of Medfield, an early settlement within the Massachusetts Bay Colony. For over two centuries, it functioned as an agricultural village, with early industries including several gristmills and a sawmill operating along the Charles River. The community's separation was driven by the arrival of the Milford and Woonsocket Railroad in the 1870s, which spurred local industry and population growth. Residents voted for independence, and the town was officially incorporated in 1885, named for local industrialist Lansing Millis. The 20th century saw the establishment of the Millis Experiment Station for agricultural research and the town's gradual evolution into a residential community for commuters to Boston and the Route 128 technology corridor.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.0 square kilometers, of which 32.5 square kilometers is land and 0.5 square kilometers is water. Millis is bordered by Medfield to the northeast, Sherborn to the east, Holliston to the south, Medway to the southwest, and Norfolk to the northwest. The Charles River flows through the northern part of town, creating wetland areas, while the town's geography also includes parts of the New England/Acadian forests ecoregion. Significant protected areas include the Millis-Clicquot-Town Forest and conservation land near Bogastow Brook.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,526 people residing in the town. The population density was approximately 262 people per square kilometer. The racial makeup was predominantly Non-Hispanic White, with growing diversity including communities identifying as Asian, Black or African American, and Hispanic or Latino. The median household income was above the state average, with major employment sectors including professional services, education, and health care. A significant portion of the workforce commutes to employment centers in Boston, Framingham, and along Interstate 495.
Government
Millis operates under the Open town meeting form of government, with a Board of Selectmen serving as the chief executive body. The town employs a professional Town Administrator to manage daily operations. Millis is part of Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Jake Auchincloss. At the state level, the town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate and the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Local public safety services are provided by the Millis Police Department and the Millis Fire Department.
Education
Public education for pre-kindergarten through grade twelve is administered by the Millis Public Schools district. The district comprises Clyde F. Brown Elementary School, Millis Middle School, and Millis High School. The high school's athletic teams, known as the Millis Mohawks, compete in the Tri-Valley League. The town is also part of the Norfolk County Agricultural High School district. For higher education, residents have access to nearby institutions such as MassBay Community College in Wellesley and Framingham State University.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the town include John H. F. Haskell, a Union Army officer and United States Ambassador to Peru; Arthur I. Vorys, a former Ohio State Senator; and Mike Gorman, the longtime television play-by-play voice for the Boston Celtics. Marty Barrett, a former Major League Baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, also resided in the community.
Category:Towns in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:Populated places established in 1885