Sharon, Massachusetts

Sharon, Massachusetts
Name	Sharon
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	1650
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1775
Government type	Open town meeting
Area total km2	62.8
Area land km2	56.8
Area water km2	6.0
Population as of	2020
Population total	18600
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Coordinates	42, 07, 25, N...
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	02067
Area code	339 / 781
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	25-60785
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0618340
Website	www.townofsharon.org

Sharon, Massachusetts. Sharon is a historic New England town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, known for its significant natural resources and role in early American industry. Incorporated just before the American Revolution, its landscape of Lake Massapoag, forests, and Borderland State Park has attracted residents and visitors for centuries. The town is part of the Greater Boston area and maintains a strong community focus on education, conservation, and cultural heritage.

History

The area was originally part of the Massachusett territory and was first settled by English colonists around 1650 as an outlying precinct of the nearby town of Dedham. It was officially incorporated in 1775, named after the Plain of Sharon in the Holy Land. Early industry was driven by its natural resources, with ironworks like the Sharon Iron Works Company and the Massachusetts Bay Colony's first bloomery utilizing local bog iron. The town was a site for Minutemen musters and later became a center for the Shakers with the establishment of the Shaker community at the North Family site. The 19th century saw the arrival of the Old Colony Railroad and the development of Lake Massapoag as a summer resort destination, attracting visitors from Boston and Providence. The Ames family of Easton later established their country estate, now Borderland State Park, within the town.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 62.8 square kilometers, of which 56.8 square kilometers is land and 6.0 square kilometers is water. Sharon is bordered by Foxborough to the southwest, Mansfield and Easton to the southeast, Stoughton to the northeast, Canton to the north, and Walpole to the northwest. The central geographic feature is the large, spring-fed Lake Massapoag, which is a focal point for recreation. Significant protected areas include the Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary managed by the Mass Audubon and the expansive Borderland State Park, which lies partially in the town. The town's terrain includes parts of the Great Blue Hill landform region, with numerous ponds, streams, and conservation lands.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 18,600. The racial makeup of the town is diverse, with significant communities including those of Jewish, Asian, and Indian descent. Sharon has long been a destination for Jewish families, supported by institutions like the Temple Israel of Sharon and the Chabad Jewish Center. The median household income is substantially above the state average, and a high percentage of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The population is served by a variety of religious institutions, including Congregation Etz Chaim and the Islamic Center of New England.

Economy

Sharon's economy is primarily residential, with many professionals commuting to employment centers in Boston, the Route 128 high-tech corridor, and Providence. Historically, the economy was based on agriculture, ironworks, and gristmill operations, notably at sites like the Warner Grange Hall area. The Sharon Train Station on the Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail provides direct access to South Station. The town center features a mix of local retail and professional services, while larger commercial development is limited due to the community's emphasis on preserving its historic and natural character. Major employers within the town include the Sharon Public Schools district and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton.

Education

The Sharon Public Schools district operates several highly-rated institutions, including Sharon High School, Sharon Middle School, and elementary schools such as the Cottage Street School and Heights Elementary School. The district is known for strong academic performance and extensive extracurricular programs. Sharon is also home to private educational options like the Sacred Heart School. The town's Sharon Public Library serves as a community hub and cultural center. Many graduates attend prestigious universities, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Brandeis University.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the town include Horace Mann, the pioneering educator and Congressman who lived and worked here; Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots; and Alison Bechdel, the acclaimed cartoonist and author of *Fun Home*. Other residents have included Marty Barrett, former Boston Red Sox player; Susan Dey, actress from *The Partridge Family*; and Michele McPhee, journalist and author. The Ames family, including former Massachusetts Governor Oliver Ames, were major landowners and philanthropists in the area.

Category:Towns in Massachusetts Category:Towns in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Populated places established in 1775