Norwood, Massachusetts

Norwood, Massachusetts
Name	Norwood, 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	1678
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date2	1872
Government type	Representative town meeting
Area total km2	27.2
Area total sq mi	10.5
Area land km2	26.8
Area land sq mi	10.3
Area water km2	0.4
Area water sq mi	0.2
Population as of	2020
Population total	31,611
Population density km2	1179.5
Population density sq mi	3069.0
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	42, 11, 40, N...
Elevation m	45
Elevation ft	148
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	02062
Area code	339 / 781
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-50250
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618344
Website	www.norwoodma.gov

Norwood, Massachusetts is a town in Norfolk County within the Greater Boston metropolitan area. Originally part of Dedham, it was incorporated as an independent town in 1872 following significant industrial development. Known for its diverse economy and historic downtown, Norwood is home to major corporate headquarters and is served by the MBTA Commuter Rail's Franklin Line.

History

The area was first settled by European colonists in 1678 as part of the Dedham Grant and was known as the "South Parish" or "Deerfield" section of Dedham. Early industries included several gristmills and sawmills powered by the Neponset River. The arrival of the New York and New England Railroad in 1849 spurred industrial growth, leading to the establishment of the Norwood Press and the Bird & Son roofing company. The community formally separated from Dedham and was incorporated as Norwood in 1872, named after Henry Ward Beecher's novel *Norwood*. The 20th century saw the rise of major employers like the Norwood Arena and the Plimpton Press, and the town became a regional center for commerce and manufacturing.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Norwood has a total area of 10.5 square miles, of which 10.3 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles is water. The town is bordered by Westwood, Walpole, Medfield, Dover, and Canton. The Neponset River and Hawes Brook flow through the town, and significant green spaces include the Norwood Memorial Airport and the William J. DeLuca, Sr. Memorial Park and Playground. The town's topography is generally flat, characteristic of the Boston Basin.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, Norwood had a population of 31,611. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian, Black, and Hispanic residents. The median household income was above the state average, and a significant portion of the workforce commutes to Boston and other parts of Greater Boston. The town has historically been home to large Irish American and Italian American populations, with more recent immigration from countries like India and Brazil.

Economy

Norwood has a diverse economic base with a mix of corporate, retail, and light industrial sectors. It is the headquarters for several major companies, including Analog Devices, Cumberland Farms, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The University Station development is a major mixed-use retail and office complex. Historically, the town was a national center for printing and publishing, home to the Norwood Press and the Plimpton Press. Other significant employers include the Norwood Hospital and the Norwood Memorial Airport, which supports aviation-related businesses.

Government and infrastructure

Norwood employs a Representative town meeting form of government led by a Board of Selectmen and a professional Town manager. The town operates its own police and fire departments, with the main fire station located adjacent to the Norwood Memorial Municipal Building. Key infrastructure includes the MBTA Commuter Rail's Norwood Central and Norwood Depot stations on the Franklin Line, providing direct service to South Station. The town is also served by I-95/Route 128 and U.S. Route 1, major arterial roads facilitating regional commerce.

Education

Public education is managed by the Norwood Public Schools district, which includes several elementary schools, the Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School, and Norwood High School. The district is known for its strong athletics programs, particularly in ice hockey and football. The town is also home to the Norwood Space Center, an educational and commercial hub for aerospace and technology. Private institutions include the Montessori School of Norwood and the Willett Early Childhood Center. The Morrill Memorial Library serves as the town's public library.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Norwood include John P. Holland, inventor of the first commissioned United States Navy submarine; Bill Rodgers, champion marathon runner and four-time winner of both the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon; and Mike Milbury, former NHL player and coach for the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders. Other notable residents have included actress Maura Tierney, known for roles on *ER* and *The Affair*; and Brian Leetch, Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman for the New York Rangers.

Category:Towns in Massachusetts