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Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is a major suburb in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, located directly across the Charles River from Boston. The city's population as of the 2020 U.S. census was 118,403, making it the largest city in the county, the fourth most populous city in the state, behind Boston, Worcester, and Springfield, and ninth most populous city in New England. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, which was an important center of the Puritan theology that was embraced by the town's founders.

Cambridge is known globally as home to two of the world's most prestigious universities. Harvard University, an Ivy League university founded in Cambridge in 1636, is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and has routinely been ranked as one of the best universities in the world. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), founded in 1861, is also located in Cambridge and has been similarly ranked highly among the world's best universities. Lesley University and Hult International Business School also are based in Cambridge. Radcliffe College, an elite women's liberal arts college, also was based in Cambridge from its 1879 founding until its assimiliation into Harvard in 1999.

Kendall Square, near MIT in the eastern part of Cambridge, has been called "the most innovative square mile on the planet" due to the high concentration of startup companies that have emerged there since 2010.

Founded in December 1630 during the colonial era, Cambridge was one among the first cities established in the Thirteen Colonies, and it went on to play a historic role during the American Revolution. In May 1775, approximately 16,000 American patriots assembled in Cambridge Common to begin organizing a military retaliation against British troops following the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On July 2, 1775, two weeks after the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia formally established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington commander of it, Washington arrived at Cambridge Common to take command of the Patriot soldiers camped there. Many of these soldiers played a role in supporting Washington's successful Siege of Boston, which trapped garrisoned British troops from moving by land, forcing the British to ultimately abandon Boston. Cambridge Common is thus celebrated as the birthplace of the Continental Army.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cambridge has a total area of 7.1 square miles (18 km²), of which 6.4 square miles (17 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (9.82%) is water. The border between Cambridge and the neighboring city of Somerville passes through densely populated neighborhoods, which are connected by the MBTA Red Line. Some of the main squares, Inman, Porter, and to a lesser extent, Harvard and Lechmere, are very close to the city line, as are Somerville's Union and Davis Squares.

Through the City of Cambridge's exclusive municipal water system, the city further controls two exclave areas, one being Payson Park Reservoir and Gatehouse, a 2009 listed American Water Landmark located roughly one mile west of Fresh Pond and surrounded by the town of Belmont. The second area is the larger Hobbs Brook and Stony Brook watersheds, which share borders with neighboring towns and cities including Lexington, Lincoln, Waltham and Weston.

Cambridge places a strong emphasis on health and wellness to its residents. CHA Cambridge Hospital is one of two CHA acute care hospitals north of Boston. It is located between Harvard and Inman Square. Key services include 24-hour Emergency Care, Maternity, Mental Health Care, Primary Care, Specialty Care, Surgery and overnight hospital care. Cambridge Healthworks Fitness Club is located in Porter Square. It offers personal training, teamTRAINING, group fitness classes, massage, nutritional counseling and more! Engage in high-energy kickboxing classes to boost fitness levels and relieve stress in ILoveKickboxing. Relax and rejuvenate with a variety of spa treatments, including massages and facials with Corbu Spa and Salon. Experience the healing benefits of therapeutic massages at Vitality Massage Therapy to alleviate muscle tension and promote relaxation. Practice yoga in a serene environment at More to Love Yoga to improve flexibility, strength, and mental clarity.

Top sites in Cambridge, MA are Harvard Art Museums, The Harvard Museum of Natural History, Harvard Square, and MIT Museum.

Population: 121,186 (2024). ZIP codes: 02138–02142. Area codes: 617, 857. Elevation: 40 ft (12 m). Area: 7.1 square miles (18 km²).

FAQs

Is it expensive to live in Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge's housing expenses are 212% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 19% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 4% higher than the national average. Cambridge has grocery prices that are 12% higher than the national average.

Is Cambridge, MA a wealthy area?

The per capita income in Cambridge in 2018 was $72,975, which is wealthy relative to Massachusetts and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $291,900 for a family of four. However, Cambridge contains both very wealthy and poor people as well. Cambridge is an extremely ethnically-diverse city. The people who call Cambridge home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups.

What is Cambridge, MA famous for?

The city of Cambridge is part of the Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. The city is best known for being the home of two world-class universities, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), located within just two miles of each other. Cambridge is bordered by the city of Boston, located on the other side of the Charles River just 3 miles to the southeast. Other surrounding communities include Somerville (to the north), Watertown (to the west), and Arlington (to the northwest).

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Cambridge

Neighborhoodscout

City Town Info

Payscale

Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

Harvard Square

MIT Museum

CHA Cambridge Hospital

Cambridge Healthworks Fitness Club

ILoveKickboxing

Corbu Spa and Salon

Vitality Massage Therapy

More to Love Yoga

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