Watertown Town
cityWatertown, Massachusetts, located in Middlesex County and part of Greater Boston, is a city with a rich history and a strong sense of community. The city was one of the first Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements, founded in 1630, and has grown into a diverse urban center with a population of approximately 35,543. Watertown's neighborhoods include Bemis, Coolidge Square, East Watertown, Watertown Square, and the West End. Watertown's economy is diverse, with key industries including professional, scientific, and technical services, educational services, and healthcare. Major employers include Tufts Health Plan, New England Sports Network, and the Perkins School for the Blind. The city supports small businesses, with a significant number of employers having fewer than 50 employees. Watertown's location near Boston and Cambridge provides access to talent pools, venture capital, and industry concentrations. Watertown is distinctive for its blend of historical significance and modern innovation. It played a central role in the Revolutionary War and was the site of early industrial development. Today, Watertown is known for its cultural diversity, particularly its large Armenian community, and its commitment to providing support and refuge to individuals from diverse backgrounds. The city's ongoing development projects and focus on sustainability contribute to a high quality of life for its residents.
Watertown Town, Massachusetts
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 25-73440
- Country
- United States
- County
- Middlesex County
- Region
- Greater Boston
- Elevation
- 36 ft
- Total Area
- 4.12 sq mi
- Land Area
- 4 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.13 sq mi
- Latitude
- 42.37083
- Longitude
- -71.18333
- Climate
- Humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters.
- Notable Features
- Charles River · Watertown Dam
- Neighboring Areas
- Belmont · Cambridge · Waltham · Newton · Boston
- Population (2020)
- 35,329
- Est. Population (2024)
- 35,543
- Median Age
- 39.4
- Median Income
- $126,265
- Poverty Rate
- 4.2%
- Family Households
- 53.8%
- Owner-Occupied
- 48.8%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of Watertown is 70.5% White, 11.6% Asian, 4% African American, 6% Hispanic, and 7% Two or More Races.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Watertown Public Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library · Water · Wastewater · Energy · Waste Services











- Unemployment Rate
- 4%
- Economic Profile
- Residential/suburban · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services · Educational Services · Health Care & Social Assistance
- Major Employers
- Tufts Health Plan · New England Sports Network · Perkins School for the Blind · Exergen Corporation · Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. · athenahealth
- Schools
- 5
- Students
- 2,600
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- School Districts
- Watertown Public Schools
- Transportation
- Interstate access · Public transit · Bus routes
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Sewer · Drainage
- Major Facilities
- Hospital
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Arsenal Park · Saltonstall Park · Victory Field · Filippello Park
- Parks & Trails
- Watertown Parks & Playgrounds · Walking Paths
- Founded
- 1630
- Incorporated
- 1630
- Named After
- The area was well-watered and abounded with fish.
- Historical Significance
- One of the first Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements, playing a key role in the American Revolution and early industrial development.
- Key Events
- Settled by Richard Saltonstall and George Phillips in 1630 · Site of the first tax protest in America · Massachusetts Provincial Congress met here in 1775 · Watertown Arsenal produced military armaments from 1816 through World War II
