Belmont, Massachusetts

Belmont, Massachusetts
Name	Belmont, Massachusetts
Settlement type	Town

Contents

Geography

The town of Belmont has a total area of 4.7 square miles, of which 4.6 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water. Belmont is drained by the Alewife Brook, which flows into the Mystic River and eventually into Boston Harbor. The town's geography is characterized by its proximity to the Charles River, which forms its southern border. Nearby cities include Somerville, Massachusetts, Medford, Massachusetts, and Newton, Massachusetts. Belmont is also close to the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park that offers hiking and skiing opportunities. The town's terrain is similar to that of neighboring Woburn, Massachusetts and Stoneham, Massachusetts.

The area that is now Belmont was first settled in 1636 by English colonists from Charlestown, Massachusetts. The town was originally part of Arlington, Massachusetts but was incorporated as a separate town in 1859. During the American Civil War, Belmont was a stop on the Underground Railroad, with many residents, including William Lloyd Garrison and Ralph Waldo Emerson, actively supporting the Abolitionist movement. The town was also home to Paul Revere, who warned the Colonial militia of the approaching British Army during the American Revolution. Nearby historic sites include the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts and the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

As of the 2010 United States Census, the town of Belmont had a population of 24,729 people, with a median age of 41.4 years. The median household income was $83,579, and the median home value was $424,200. The town's population is diverse, with residents from China, India, Italy, and Ireland. Nearby cities with similar demographics include Brookline, Massachusetts, Needham, Massachusetts, and Wellesley, Massachusetts. The town is also home to a large number of Harvard University and MIT alumni, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Larry Ellison.

The town of Belmont is governed by a Town meeting form of government, with a Board of Selectmen and a Town Manager. The town is represented in the Massachusetts State Legislature by Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Dave Rogers. Belmont is also part of the Middlesex County, Massachusetts government, which includes the cities of Lowell, Massachusetts, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Framingham, Massachusetts. The town's government is similar to that of neighboring Lincoln, Massachusetts and Bedford, Massachusetts.

The town of Belmont is served by the Belmont Public Schools system, which includes Belmont High School, Chenery Middle School, and several elementary schools. The town is also home to Belmont Hill School, a private school for boys, and Concord Academy, a private school for girls. Nearby colleges and universities include Harvard University, MIT, Tufts University, and Boston College. The town's education system is highly regarded, with many graduates going on to attend top universities, including Stanford University, Yale University, and Princeton University.

The town of Belmont is located near several major highways, including Interstate 95 and Route 2. The town is also served by the MBTA Commuter Rail's Fitchburg Line, which connects to North Station in Boston. Additionally, the town has several bus routes, including the MBTA Bus's 74 and 75 routes, which connect to Harvard Square and Kendall Square. Nearby airports include Logan International Airport and Hanscom Field, which offer flights to destinations around the world, including London, Paris, and Tokyo. The town's transportation system is similar to that of neighboring Cambridge, Massachusetts and Somerville, Massachusetts.