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Ashland, MA

Frequently asked questions

Ashland, MA

Ashland is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the MetroWest region. The population was 18,832 at the 2020 United States census. 

The area now known as Ashland was settled in the early 18th century and inhabited before that by the Megunko Native Americans, to which Megunko Hill owes its name. Previously known as "Unionville", Ashland was incorporated in 1846, bearing the name of statesman Henry Clay's Kentucky estate. It is considerably younger than many of the surrounding towns, as Ashland's territory was taken in near-equal parts from the previously established towns of Hopkinton, Holliston (previously of colonial era Sherborn's territory), and Framingham.

The construction of the Boston & Worcester Railroad, later the Boston & Albany, in the 1830s was key to the early development of the town. Decades later, two other rail lines opened stations in Ashland. Along with the Sudbury River, the railroad helped to attract numerous mills to develop a bustling boot and shoe industry. However, by constructing three reservoirs along the river in 1878, the Boston Water Board inadvertently stymied further growth, most notably by halting the construction of the Dwight Printing Company's granite mills. Although the mills closed, starting in the 1890s the Hopkinton Railroad Company, providing a connection to Milford, and the Natick Street Railway, which operated streetcars between the towns of Sherborn, Framingham, and Natick, offered service in Ashland. These rail lines were gone by the 1920s, rendered obsolete by automobiles. 

Around the same time that the local rail lines were in decline, the inventor Henry E. Warren developed the Warren Synchronizing Timer in 1916, which made synchronous electric clocks possible by keeping alternating current flowing from power plants at a consistent sixty cycles per second. Warren founded Telechron, which, in partnership with General Electric, manufactured electric clocks in Ashland until 1979, thirteen years before Telechron itself became defunct. A Warren Synchronizing Timer is on display at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History in Washington D.C., and the Ashland High School sports teams are called "The Clockers".

For most of the 20th century, Ashland's population remained slow in growth, until the post-war boom beginning in the 1950s. During that period, Ashland grew from a far-removed rural town 22 miles (35 km) west of Boston to a primarily residential suburb by the 1980s. Over time, many farms and open spaces have given way to housing, although some untouched land remains, including the Ashland Town Forest, Ashland State Park, Warren Woods, and land comprising the beach and dam portions of Hopkinton State Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33 km2), of which, 12.4 square miles (32 km2) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) of it (3.72%) is water. 

Ashland places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Leonard Morse Hospital offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Start your wellness journey with a workout at UpperKuts Boxing Club, which offers a mix of boxing and cardio classes. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy comprehensive workouts at Encompass Fitness. For those looking for a group fitness experience, CrossFit Synergistics provides high-intensity training sessions. Relax and unwind at Spavia Day Spa, offering a range of spa treatments. For a unique wellness experience, try Baby Goat Yoga, where you can enjoy yoga sessions with playful baby goats. Pure Barre offers low-impact, high-intensity workouts perfect for toning and strengthening. 

Top sites in Ashland, MA are Ashland State Park, Hopkinton State Park, Boston Paintball Ashland Playing Field & ProShop, and Putts & More.

Population: 19,391 (2025). ZIP code: 01721. Area codes: 508, 774. Elevation: 188 ft (57 m). Area: 12.9 sq mi (33.5 km2).

FAQs

Is Ashland, MA a nice place to live?

Ashland is a suburb of Boston with a population of 18,634. Ashland is in Middlesex County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Ashland offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Ashland, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Ashland and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Ashland are highly rated.

What is Ashland, MA famous for?

Once the original starting point of the world-famous Boston Marathon, which still runs through Ashland, the town is also known as the site of Henry Warren's invention of the electric clock, later manufactured here under the Telechron name. Ashland, although predominantly residential, is committed to a close working relationship with its business community. Businesses, residents, and visitors look forward to "Ashland Day," a not-to-be-missed annual celebration of traditional New England spirit!

What is the crime rate in Ashland, MA?

With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 4 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Ashland is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 83% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Ashland is one in 284. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Ashland‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 79% of the state's cities and towns.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Ashland

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

Ashland State Park 

Hopkinton State Park 

Boston Paintball Ashland Playing Field & ProShop 

Putts & More

Leonard Morse Hospital

UpperKuts Boxing Club,

Encompass Fitness

CrossFit Synergistics

Spavia Day Spa

Baby Goat Yoga

Pure Barre

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.