📍 Location & Geography
Dunstable is a small, rural town located in Middlesex County, in the northeastern region of the state of Massachusetts. The town is bordered by Pepperell to the west, Groton to the south, Tyngsborough to the east, and the state of New Hampshire to the north. Dunstable covers a total area of 16.7 square miles, of which 16.5 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles is water.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates for Dunstable are approximately 42.67 degrees north latitude and 71.51 degrees west longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Dunstable is part of the Greater Lowell region, which is located in the northeastern part of Massachusetts. The town is predominantly residential, with a mix of farmland and forested areas. It is part of the Nashua, NH-MA NECTA Division of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Dunstable was 3,179. The town is predominantly white, with a small percentage of residents identifying as Asian, African American, Native American, or of other races. The median age in Dunstable is 43.4 years.
🏛️ History
Dunstable was first settled by Europeans in 1656 and was officially incorporated in 1673. The town was named after the town of Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. The town’s early economy was based on agriculture, with some small-scale manufacturing operations developing in the 19th century. Today, Dunstable maintains its rural character, with a significant portion of its land still used for farming.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Dunstable is home to several conservation areas and parks, including the Dunstable Rural Land Trust, which preserves and manages over 152 acres of land for the purpose of wildlife habitat, agriculture, and passive recreation. The town also contains a portion of the Nashua River, offering opportunities for fishing and canoeing.
🏫 Education
Education in Dunstable is managed by the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. The town has one elementary school, the Swallow Union Elementary School. Middle and high school students attend schools in the neighboring town of Groton.
🚧 Transportation
Dunstable is served by a number of major roads, including Route 113, which runs east-west through the town, and Route 3A, which runs north-south. The town is approximately 10 miles from the Nashua, NH Transit Center, which provides bus service to Boston and other locations. The nearest train service is in Lowell, MA, approximately 15 miles to the southeast.
📜 Trivia & Events
Every year, Dunstable hosts a town-wide yard sale, which attracts visitors from around the region. The town is also home to the Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church, which was built in 1840 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.