Melrose, Massachusetts
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°27′30″N 71°04′00″W / 42.45833, -71.066667
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Middlesex
Settled	1629
Incorporated	1900
Government
- Type	Mayor-council city
- Mayor	Robert J. Dolan
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code	02176, 02177
Area code(s)	339 / 781
FIPS code	25-40115
GNIS feature ID	0612780
Website: http://www.cityofmelrose.org

Melrose is a city located in the Greater Boston metropolitan area and Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The population was 27,134 at the 2000 census.

History

The area in which Melrose now lies was first explored in 1628. That tract became part of Charlestown in 1629 and in 1638 it became an independent town with the name Ponde Fielde. The town then became a part of Malden in 1649 and was referred to as the north end. In 1850, Melrose once again became independent and was incorporated as the Town of Melrose. In 1900, only fifty years after gaining township, Melrose was incorporated as the City of Melrose.

The name "Melrose" comes from the burgh of Melrose, Scotland.

Geography

Melrose is located at 42°27′33″N, 71°3′44″W (42.459045, -71.062339).¹

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.26%) is water.

Melrose is approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It borders five city/towns: Malden, Revere, Saugus, Stoneham, and Wakefield. Major Geographic features include Ell Pond, just north of the downtown area, Swains Pond, located not far from Route 99, and the Fells Woods running through the west end of the city into Stoneham. Also running into Stoneham is the Conservation Land in the Northwestern part of Melrose.

Demographics

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School prior to its demolition in 2005

As of the census² of 2000, there were 27,134 people, 11,248 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,233.8/km² (5,779.8/mi²). There were 11,248 housing units at an average density of 926.0/km² (2,395.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.94% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population. 6.1% of the population is foreign born (2.8% Europe, 1.7% Asia, 0.8% North America).

There were 10,982 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,811, and the median income for a family was $78,144. Males had a median income of $50,644 versus $39,517 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,347. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Melrose has numerous schools including five elementary schools, a new Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, and Melrose High School.

Government

War Memorial in front of former Coolidge School

Robert J. Dolan (D) is the mayor. Melrose is represented by Mike Festa(D) the State Representative. Richard R. Tisei (R) is the State Senator. Edward J. Markey (D) in the United States House of Representatives. John Kerry (D) and Edward M. Kennedy (D) in the United States Senate.

Melrose is served by an eleven member Board of Aldermen. Four At-Large Aldermen, Paul Brodeur, Donald L. Conn, Jr., Geraldine R. Heavey and Ronald Seaboyer are elected by the entire city, while the seven Ward Aldermen, elected by voters in their individual wards, are John N. Tramontozzi (Ward 1), David Buonopane (Ward 2), Francis X. Wright, Jr. (Ward 3), Robert A. Boisselle (Ward 4), Gail M. Infurna (Ward 5), Peter D. Mortimer (Ward 6) and William H. Forbes, Jr. (Ward 7). As of the 2007 election, the mayor shall be elected to a four year term and sit as a member of the School Committee. All aldermen are elected to two-year terms. City elections are held in odd numbered years.

Notable residents

• Brooks Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author
• Shawn Bates, NHL Hockeyplayer
• Andy Brickley, professional hockey player, current game analyst on NESN's Bruins telecasts
• Gary Cherone, rock singer
• Will Cotton, American painter
• Clarence DeMar, American marathon runner, he and Bill Rodgers, are the only Americans to win three consecutive Boston marathons
• Geraldine Farrar, Metropolitan Opera soprano, silent film star
• Dan Frongillo-Mirade, Millennium Wrestling Federation founder
• Martin Fowler, Author of 'Refactoring'
• Sara Leland, principal ballerina, New York City Ballet
• Mary Livermore, American reformer
• Don Orsillo, Red Sox NESN announcer
• Richard Evans Schultes, ethnobotanist
• David Souter, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
• Elizabeth George Speare, American children's author
• Frank Stella, contemporary painter, sculptor; studio formerly located in Melrose
• Keith Tkachuk, professional hockey player
• Nancy Werlin, novelist

Transportation

The city of Melrose is conveniently located just seven miles north of Boston. The city has access to many highways including Route 1 in Saugus, Route 93 in Stoneham, and Route 128 in Wakefield. The city is also served by the MBTA. Service includes five bus routes: 106, 131, 132, 136 and 137. There are three Commuter Rail Stations: Wyoming Hill Station, Melrose/Cedar Park Station and Melrose Highlands Station. This line is highly popular with rush-hour commuters. The Orange Line is just steps over the Melrose/Malden border and not only used highly for rush-hour commuters but also for many recreational commuters. Oak Grove Station is primarily a park and ride station with 788 parking spaces.

External links

• Melrose Official Website
• MMTV Melrose Massachusetts Television
• Melrose Public Library
• Melrose Public Schools
• City-Data.com Melrose Profile
• Melrose Free Press
• Mass Online Melrose Profile
• Melrose Mirror Senior Journal
• Melrose Symphony Orchestra

Coordinates: 42.459045° N 71.062339° W

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