Upton, Massachusetts
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| Upton, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
| Name | Upton, Massachusetts |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Massachusetts |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Worcester |
| Government type | Open town meeting |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1728 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1735 |
| Area total km2 | 48.0 |
| Area total sq mi | 18.5 |
| Area land km2 | 47.1 |
| Area land sq mi | 18.2 |
| Area water km2 | 0.9 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.3 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 8080 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 42, 10, 25, N... |
| Elevation m | 90 |
| Elevation ft | 295 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 01568 |
| Area code | 508/774 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 25-69620 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0618345 |
| Website | www.uptonma.gov |
Upton, Massachusetts. Upton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, with a population of 8,080 as of the 2020 United States Census. The town was first settled in 1728 and officially incorporated in 1735, named for its English counterpart. It is part of the MetroWest region and is known for its rural character, historic architecture, and proximity to major transportation corridors like the Massachusetts Turnpike.
History
The area that would become Upton was originally part of the Sutton grant and was inhabited by the Nipmuc people. It was first settled by colonists in 1728, primarily for agriculture, and was officially incorporated by the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1735. The town's early economy was centered on farming, small-scale milling along the West River, and the production of boots and shoes. During the American Revolutionary War, local minutemen responded to the alarm from Concord and later served in regiments under commanders like Artemas Ward. The 19th century saw the rise of straw hat manufacturing and other light industry, with the arrival of the Milford and Worcester Branch Railroad in 1855 spurring growth. Historic structures like the Upton Town Hall and the Upton State Forest, a Civilian Conservation Corps project from the Great Depression, reflect key periods in the town's development.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Upton has a total area of 18.5 square miles, of which 18.2 square miles is land and 0.3 square miles is water. The town is bordered by Hopkinton to the east, Westborough to the north, Grafton and Northbridge to the northwest, Uxbridge to the west, and Mendon to the south. Significant water bodies include the West River and Pratt Pond, while a large portion of the southwestern area is occupied by the Upton State Forest. The town's terrain features rolling hills and forested areas, characteristic of central New England.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,080 people, 2,844 households, and 2,240 families residing in the town. The population density was approximately 444 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing communities of Asian and Hispanic or Latino residents. The median household income was substantially above the state average, reflecting the town's affluence and its role as a residential community for professionals working in the greater Boston and MetroWest economic regions, including the Route 495 technology corridor.
Government and infrastructure
Upton employs the Open town meeting form of government, led by a Board of Selectmen and a professional Town Manager. The town provides standard municipal services, including a Police Department and a Fire Department. Key infrastructure includes the Upton Wastewater Treatment Facility and access to major highways like the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) and Interstate 495. The town is part of the Worcester and Norfolk state senate district and the 8th Worcester state representative district. Public water is supplied by the Upton Water Department, drawing from local aquifers.
Education
Public education for pre-K through grade 12 is managed by the Mendon-Upton Regional School District, a partnership with the neighboring town of Mendon. The district includes Memorial Elementary School, Miscoe Hill Middle School, and Nipmuc Regional High School. The town is also served by the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in nearby Upton. For higher education, residents have access to numerous institutions in the region, including Framingham State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The Upton Town Library, a member of the C/W MARS library network, provides public library services.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Upton include John H. M. Butler, a U.S. Congressman; William F. Harrity, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee; and Alonzo H. Evans, a Union Army officer in the American Civil War. More contemporary figures include Mike Kolen, a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins who played in the undefeated 1972 team, and Sarah H. Bradford, a 19th-century writer known for her biography of Harriet Tubman.
Category:Towns in Worcester County, Massachusetts