📍 Location & Geography
Foxboro is a small town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is situated about 22 miles southwest of Boston, 18 miles northeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about 216 miles from New York City. The town covers an area of about 20.9 square miles, of which 20.1 square miles is land and 0.81 square miles is water. Foxboro is known for its hilly and forested landscape, with several bodies of water dotting the area.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographic coordinates of Foxboro, Massachusetts are approximately 42.0654° N latitude and 71.2478° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Foxboro is part of the Greater Boston area, which is the most populous region in New England. The town is bordered by Mansfield to the south, Sharon to the northeast, Walpole to the north, and Wrentham to the west. Foxboro is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Foxboro has a population of approximately 18,000 residents. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 40.4 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other races.
🏛️ History
Foxboro was first settled in 1704 and officially incorporated in 1778. The town was named after Charles James Fox, a British statesman who was sympathetic to the colonies’ cause in the American Revolution. Foxboro’s early economy was largely agricultural, but it later became known for its straw hat factories. Today, the town is best known as the site of Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots NFL team and the New England Revolution MLS team.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Foxboro is home to several parks and nature reserves, including the F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, a large forested area perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The town also has several bodies of water, including the Neponset Reservoir and several smaller ponds, which offer opportunities for fishing and boating.
🏫 Education
Education in Foxboro is managed by the Foxborough Public Schools district, which operates several elementary schools, a middle school, and Foxborough High School. The town is also home to the Foxboro Regional Charter School, a public charter school serving grades K-12. For higher education, Massasoit Community College has a satellite campus in Foxboro.
🚧 Transportation
Foxboro is served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) with a commuter rail station on its Franklin Line. The town is also easily accessible by road, with Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 passing through it. The nearest major airport is Boston’s Logan International Airport, which is approximately 30 miles away.
📜 Trivia & Events
Foxboro is famous for being the home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, both of which play at Gillette Stadium. The stadium also hosts numerous concerts and other events throughout the year. In addition, Foxboro hosts the annual Founders Day celebration, which includes a parade, fireworks, and other festivities. The town is also home to the Orpheum Theatre, one of the oldest professional theatres in the country.