📍 Location & Geography
Wilmington is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is situated in the northeastern part of the state, approximately 17 miles north-northwest of downtown Boston. Wilmington is bordered by the towns of Andover, North Reading, Reading, Woburn, and Burlington to the north, east, south, and west respectively. The town encompasses a total area of 17.2 square miles, of which 17.1 square miles is land and 0.1 square miles is water.
🌎 Coordinates
The geographical coordinates of Wilmington, Massachusetts are approximately 42.5463° N latitude and 71.1724° W longitude.
🗺️ Region & Area
Wilmington is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area, within the New England region of the United States. It is situated in the Merrimack Valley and is part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town has a total area of 17.2 square miles.
👥 Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Wilmington had a population of approximately 24,000 residents. The town has a diverse age range, with a median age of 42.4 years. The racial makeup of the town is predominantly White, accounting for approximately 92.9% of the population, followed by Asian at 3.5%, and African American at 1.2%. The remaining population consists of individuals from other races or from two or more races.
🏛️ History
Wilmington was first settled in 1665 and was officially incorporated in 1730, from parts of Woburn, Reading, and Billerica. The town was named after Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, who was a patron of one of the town’s first settlers. Wilmington’s early economy was based on farming, but with the advent of the railroad in the 19th century, it became an important transportation hub and later developed a thriving manufacturing industry.
🏞️ Nature & Environment
Wilmington is home to several parks and conservation areas, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. The town’s largest park, the Wilmington Town Common, hosts a variety of community events throughout the year. Silver Lake, located in the center of town, is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating. The town also boasts several walking and biking trails, including the Wilmington Town Forest Trail and the Mary Cummings Park Trail.
🏫 Education
Wilmington Public Schools oversees the town’s education system, which includes an early childhood center, three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. The town is also home to the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, a regional vocational-technical school serving several nearby communities. For higher education, residents have access to numerous colleges and universities in the Greater Boston area.
🚧 Transportation
Wilmington is served by two commuter rail stations on the Lowell Line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), providing easy access to downtown Boston. The town is also conveniently located near several major highways, including Interstate 93 and Route 128. For air travel, Wilmington is within a short drive of both Logan International Airport in Boston and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire.
📜 Trivia & Events
Wilmington hosts several annual community events, including the Wilmington Fun on the Fourth celebration and the Wilmington Farmers Market. The town is also known for the Wilmington Memorial Library, which offers a wide range of programs and services for residents of all ages. Additionally, Wilmington was the filming location for several scenes in the 2010 film “The Fighter,” which was based on the life of boxer Micky Ward.