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Groton, MA

Frequently asked questions

Groton, MA

Groton is a town in northwestern Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, within the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The population was 11,315 at the 2020 census. An affluent bedroom community roughly 45 miles from Boston, Groton has a large population of professional workers, many of whom work in Boston's tech industry. It is loosely connected to Boston by highways (Route 2) and commuter rail (the MBTA Fitchburg Line).

The town has a long history dating back to the colonial era. It was a battlefield in King Philip's War and Queen Anne's War, and several Grotonians played notable roles in the American Revolution (including William Prescott, the American commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill) and Shays' Rebellion. Groton is home to two college-preparatory boarding schools: Lawrence Academy at Groton, founded in 1792; and Groton School, founded in 1884. Notable Groton residents include U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and journalists Peter Gammons, Steve Kornacki, and Dan Shaughnessy.

The area surrounding modern-day Groton has, for thousands of years, been the territory of various cultures of indigenous peoples. They settled along the rivers, which they used for domestic tasks, fishing, and transportation. Historic tribes were the Algonquian-speaking Nipmuc and Nashaway Indians.

Groton began as a trading post of John Tinker, who conducted business with the Nashaway tribe at the confluence of Nod Brook and the Nashua River. The Nashaway called the area Petapawag, meaning "swampy land." As Tinker had, other pioneers followed the Algonquian trails from Massachusetts Bay. They found the region productive for fishing and farming.

The town was officially settled and incorporated in 1655. It was named for Groton in Suffolk, England, the hometown of Massachusetts governor John Winthrop; Winthrop's son Deane was one of the town's founding selectmen. Called The Plantation of Groton, it included all of present-day Groton and Ayer, almost all of Pepperell and Shirley, large parts of Dunstable, Littleton, and Tyngsborough, plus smaller parts of Harvard and Westford in Massachusetts, as well as Nashua and Hollis, New Hampshire.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Groton has a total area of 33.7 square miles (87.3 km2), of which 32.8 square miles (84.9 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km2) (2.79%) is water. Groton is the largest town in Middlesex County in terms of square mileage. The town is drained by the Nashua River, Squannacook River, and Merrimack River. The center of the town is dominated mainly by Gibbet Hill, with several other large hills throughout the town.

Groton is served by state routes 40, 111, 119, and 225. It borders the towns of Pepperell, Dunstable, Tyngsborough, Westford, Littleton, Ayer, Shirley, and Townsend. Groton has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) bordering on Dfb and monthly averages range from 23.8 °F (−4.6 °C) in January to 71.8 °F (22.1 °C) in July. The hardiness zone is 5b.

Groton places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Emerson Health Groton and Nashoba Valley Medical Center offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Groton Fitness Center offers personalized training programs tailored to individual needs, promoting overall fitness and well-being. For fitness enthusiasts, Groton Community School provides a range of physical education programs and wellness events. The Groton Trails Committee maintains numerous trails perfect for hiking and nature walks, promoting outdoor wellness. For those interested in holistic health, the Groton Wellness Center provides dental, medical, and spa services under one roof. The Williams Barn Committee hosts a farmers market, offering fresh, local produce for a healthy diet. At the Groton Public Library, you can find programs and resources on mental wellness and stress management.
 

Top Sites in Groton, MA are Barn at Gibbet Hill Groton, Autumn Hills Orchard, Mass Audubon's Rocky Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bancroft's Castle.
 

Area: 33.7 sq mi (87.3 km2). ZIP Code: 01450. Area codes: 351/978. Elevation: 320 ft (98 m). Population: 11,315 (2020).
 

FAQs

Is Groton, MA expensive?

Groton, Massachusetts's cost of living is 29% higher than the national average. Groton's housing expenses are 64% 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. Groton has grocery prices that are 12% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Groton is 19% higher than the national average.

Is Groton MA a good place to live?

Groton is in Middlesex County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Groton offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. In Groton, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families live in Groton and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Groton are highly rated.

What is the crime rate in Groton Massachusetts?

Groton is safer than the majority of cities, towns, and villages in America (88%) and also has a lower crime rate than 90% of the communities in Massachusetts, according to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime data. How risky is that? Your chance of becoming a victim in Groton is one in 413 based on the total crime rate (violent and property crimes, combined). In America overall, your chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Groton

Niche

Payscale

Neighborhood Scout

Barn at Gibbet Hill Groton

Autumn Hills Orchard 

Mass Audubon's Rocky Hill Wildlife Sanctuary 

Bancroft's Castle

Emerson Health Groton

Nashoba Valley Medical Center

Groton Fitness Center

Groton Community School

Groton Wellness Center

Groton Public Library

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.