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Billerica, MA

Frequently asked questions

Billerica, MA

Billerica is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 42,119 according to the 2020 census. It takes its name from the town of Billericay in Essex, England.

In the early 1630s, a Praying Indian village named Shawshin was at the current site of Billerica, commonly spelled Shawsheen today, as in the Shawsheen River. In 1638, Massachusetts Bay Governor John Winthrop and Lt. Governor Thomas Dudley were granted land along the Concord River in the area, and roughly a dozen families from Cambridge and Charlestown Village had begun to occupy Shawshin by 1652. The settlers chose the name Billerica because some of the families originally came from the town of Billericay in Essex, England. The town was incorporated as Billerica in 1655, on the same day as neighboring Chelmsford and nearby Groton. The original plantation of Billerica was divided during the colonial period into the towns of Billerica, Bedford, Wilmington, and Tewksbury.

The oldest remaining homestead in the town is the Manning Manse built in 1696, which was also the residence of William Manning (1747–1814), the author of The Key of Liberty, a critique of Federalist policies. Other notable Revolutionary War–era residents included Asa Pollard, the first soldier killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Thomas Ditson, who was tarred and feathered in 1775 while on a visit to Boston after attempting to illegally purchase a musket from a British soldier. The song "Yankee Doodle" supposedly became a term of national pride instead of an insult because of this event. The town now celebrates "Yankee Doodle Weekend" every September.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 26.4 square miles (68 km2), of which 25.9 square miles (67 km2) are land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (1.90%) is water.

Billerica is located 20 miles (32 km) north-northwest of Boston along the Northwest Expressway portion of U.S. Route 3, positioning it as the border between Boston’s inner suburbs to the south and the Merrimack Valley region to the north. The town is also situated less than 3 miles (5 km) from the Massachusetts Route 128/Interstate 95 High-Technology belt to the south and less than 2 miles (3 km) from the Interstate 495 (Massachusetts) outer belt highway to the north.

Billerica has several small neighborhoods that form villages (or sections) of town. Those villages are Billerica Center, East Billerica, North Billerica, Nutting Lake, Pinehurst, West Billerica, River Pines, Riverdale, and South Billerica.

Billerica borders the following towns: Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, and Carlisle. The border with Lowell is at a point in the middle of the Concord River where Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, and Tewksbury all meet.

Billerica places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care and Billerica Medical Center ensures quality healthcare to patients. Start your fitness journey at Pro-fitness Plus with various fitness lessons and facilities and at Crossfit, where high-intensity training sessions build strength and endurance. Dance enthusiasts can join The Movement Center Dance Studio for energizing dance workouts. For martial arts training, Tiger An's Taekwondo provides excellent classes for all skill levels. Lastly, unwind with a soothing session at Pure Body & Mind Wellness, which specializes in comprehensive wellness therapies.

Top sites in Billerica, MA are Country Club of Billerica, Altitude Trampoline Park, Hallenborg Ice Rink, and Great Brook Farm State Park.

Population: 41,619 (2023). ZIP code: 01821 (Billerica), 01862 (North Billerica). Area code: 351 / 978. Elevation: 76 m (250 ft). Area: 26.4 square miles (68 km2).

FAQs

Is Billerica, MA a nice place to live?

Billerica is one of the most beautiful towns in its region. Billerica has a unique, diverse community due to its proximity to Boston. Those who reside in Billerica enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, just minutes from the big city. The Shawsheen and Concord Rivers both lie within Billerica, contributing to the wonderful scenery in the area. 

What is Billerica MA famous for?

Billerica was incorporated as a Town in 1655.  Before that, the area was home to the Shawshin Indian Praying Village and the historic home of the Pawtucket, Penacook, and Abenaki tribes.  Officially known as the "Yankee Doodle Town" because legend has it that the famous song lyrics were written after a man from Billerica was tarred and feathered by the British.  In the 19th century, textile mills sprang up along the Concord River and the Middlesex Canal, and later the Boston & Lowell railroad connected this community and its industry to Boston Harbor.

Is Billerica, MA an affluent?

The average annual household income in Billerica is $126,811, while the median household income sits at $116,555 per year. Residents aged 25 to 44 earn $119,981, while those between 45 and 64 years old have a median wage of $130,590. In contrast, people younger than 25 and those older than 65 earn less, at $107,411 and $67,258, respectively. White-collar workers make up 80.57% of the working population in Billerica, while blue-collar employees account for 19.43%. 

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Billerica

Barrett Sotheby's Realty

Point 2 Homes

Country Club of Billerica 

Altitude Trampoline Park 

Hallenborg Ice Rink 

Great Brook Farm State Park.

Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care

Billerica Medical Center 

Pro-fitness Plus

Crossfit

The Movement Center Dance Studio

Tiger An's Taekwondo

Pure Body & Mind Wellness

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