📍 Location & Geography
Belmont is a suburban town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is situated in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, approximately 8 miles west of downtown Boston. The town is bordered by Cambridge and Watertown on the east, Arlington and Lexington on the north, Waltham on the west, and Newton on the south. Belmont is characterized by its rolling hills and low-lying areas, with a variety of ponds and streams dotting the landscape.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographical coordinates of Belmont, Massachusetts are approximately 42.3959° N latitude and 71.1787° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Belmont is part of the New England region, located in the northeastern United States. It covers a total area of 4.7 square miles, of which 4.7 square miles is land and 0.04 square miles, or 0.85%, is water.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Belmont had a population of approximately 26,123. The town has a diverse population, with a mix of different ethnicities and age groups. The majority of residents are White, followed by Asian, Hispanic, and African American populations. The median age in Belmont is around 42 years.
🏛️ History
Belmont was founded on March 10, 1859, by former citizens of, and land from the bordering towns of Watertown, to the south; Waltham, to the west; and Arlington, then known as West Cambridge, to the north. The town was named after “Bellmont”, the 200-acre estate of the largest donor to its creation, John Perkins Cushing. The town was primarily an agricultural community until the early twentieth century when it began to transition into a residential suburb of Boston.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Belmont is home to several parks and nature reserves, including the Beaver Brook Reservation, Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Rock Meadow Conservation Area. These areas offer residents and visitors opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and enjoying the town’s natural beauty. The town is also part of the Mystic River Watershed, which provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife.
🏫 Education
Belmont is served by the Belmont Public Schools system, which includes several elementary schools, Belmont Chenery Middle School, and Belmont High School. The town is also home to Belmont Hill School, a private, boys’ school for grades 7-12. For higher education, Belmont is in close proximity to several colleges and universities in the Greater Boston area, including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
🚧 Transportation
Belmont is served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) with bus routes and a commuter rail station on the Fitchburg Line, providing easy access to downtown Boston. The town is also conveniently located near major highways, including Route 2 and Interstate 95. For air travel, Belmont is approximately 15 miles from Boston Logan International Airport.
📜 Trivia & Events
Belmont is known for its annual Belmont Town Day, a community celebration featuring a parade, live music, food, and activities for all ages. The town is also the birthplace of former U.S. Presidential candidate and Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney. In addition, the popular PBS children’s show “ZOOM” was filmed in Belmont in the late 1990s.