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Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 66,910, making it the most populous town in Massachusetts. (In Massachusetts, the distinction between city and town has official status and is very sharp. There are cities in Massachusetts that are more populous than Framingham.)

Framingham is famous for the Framingham longitudinal study.

Table of contents
1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Pronunciation
4 History

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.5 km² (26.4 mi²). 65.1 km² (25.1 mi²) of it is land and 3.4 km² (1.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.99% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 66,910 people, 26,153 households, and 16,581 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,028.4/km² (2,663.6/mi²). There are 26,734 housing units at an average density of 410.9 persons/km² (1,064.3 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 79.77% White, 5.09% African American, 0.17% Native American, 5.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.27% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. 10.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 26,153 households out of which 29.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% are married couples living together, 10.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 36.6% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 3.02.

In the town the population is spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $54,288, and the median income for a family is $67,420. Males have a median income of $46,122 versus $35,941 for females. The per capita income for the town is $27,758. 8.0% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.4% are under the age of 18 and 6.1% are 65 or older.

Pronunciation

The first syllable of the name is pronounced with a long a; that is, the name of the town is pronounced exactly like the two words "framing" and "ham."

History

Framingham incorporated in 1700 on land formerly known as Danforth's Farms, after landowner Thomas Danforth who was born in Framlingham, England. Why the "L" was dropped for the new town's name is not known. Framingham was home to Crispus Attucks, his death made famous in an etching of the Boston Massacre by Paul Revere. Framingham was also home to Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space, who died in the Challenger disaster.