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Lawrence, MA

Frequently asked questions

Lawrence, MA

Lawrence is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Merrimack River. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 89,143. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the east. Lawrence and Salem were the county seats of Essex County until the Commonwealth abolished county government in 1999. Lawrence is part of the Merrimack Valley.

Manufacturing products of the city include electronic equipment, textiles, footwear, paper products, computers, and foodstuffs. Lawrence was the residence of poet Robert Frost for his early school years; his essays and poems were first published in the Lawrence High School newspaper. Lawrence is also the birthplace of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein in 1918, and singer Robert Goulet in 1933. 

Lawrence has been aptly nicknamed the "Immigrant City". It has been home to numerous different immigrant communities, most of whom arrived during the great wave of European immigration to America that ended in the 1920s.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19 km2), of which 7.0 square miles (18 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (6.07%) is water. Lawrence is on both sides of the Merrimack River, approximately 26 miles (42 km) upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. On the north side of the river, it is surrounded by Methuen. On the south side of the river, the town is bordered by North Andover to the east, and Andover to the south and southwest. Lawrence is approximately 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Newburyport, 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of Boston, and 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Aside from the Merrimack River, other water features include the Spicket River, which flows into the Merrimack from Methuen, and the Shawsheen River, which forms the southeastern border of the city. Lawrence has two power canals that were formerly used to provide hydropower to the mills—one on the north bank of the river, the other on the south. Channeling water into these canals is the Great Stone Dam, which lies across the entire Merrimack and was, at the time of its construction in the 1840s, the largest dam in the world. The highest point in Lawrence is the top of Tower Hill in the northwest corner of the city, rising approximately 240 feet (73 m) above sea level. 

Other prominent hills include Prospect Hill, in the northeast corner of the city, and Mount Vernon, along the southern edge of the city. Most industrial activity was concentrated in the flatlands along the rivers. Den Rock Park, a wooded conservation district on the southern edge of Lawrence that spans the Lawrence-Andover town line, provides recreation for nature lovers and rock climbers alike. There are also several small parks throughout town.

Lawrence places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Lawrence General Hospital, founded in 1875, is the city's main hospital, providing service to much of the area south of the city. Lawrence General Hospital is a private, non-profit community hospital providing the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire with patient-centered, compassionate, and quality health care for the whole family. Fortify Training is a privately owned fitness studio and gym located at 4 Union Street, Suite 300 in Lawrence, MA. Participate in various health and wellness classes, including martial arts, yoga, and meditation sessions, at the Green Dragons Dojo and Wellness Center. Engage in active life activities like indoor rock climbing, laser tag, and arcade games at the Cedarland Family Fun Center. Experience the benefits of yoga for physical and mental well-being through classes offered at Bluestem Yoga. Improve your health and fitness with baseball and softball training, batting cages, and fitness classes at D-Bat Lawrence. Relax and rejuvenate with a variety of spa treatments, massages, and skincare services at the Dash Salon and Day Spa.

Top Sites in Lawrence, MA: Lawrence Heritage State Park, Den Rock Park, Valley Forum Ice Arena, and Campagnone Common.
 

Population: 87,954 (2022). Area code: 351/978. Elevation: 16 ft (5 m). Area: 7.4 square miles. ZIP Code: 01840–01843.
 

FAQs

What is Lawrence MA famous for?

Known as the “Immigrant City,” Lawrence has always welcomed multi-ethnic populations and multiculturalism as a gateway city with a high percentage of foreign-born residents. The city was built in the 1840s and is known as the nation’s first planned industrial city. The massive mill building lining the Merrimack River, the striking clock and bell tower, and the breathtaking Great Stone Dam are all a tribute to Lawrence’s industrial heritage.

Is Lawrence MA a good place to live?

Lawrence, Massachusetts, is a medium-sized city located about 30 miles from Boston. It’s a laid-back place with a crime rate roughly on par with what you’d expect in any city in America. Lawrence is generally a safe place to live as long as you are aware of your surroundings. Some residents report a moderate amount of crime, but there are safe places to live in Lawrence.

What are the demographics of Lawrence MA?

As of the 2020 United States census, Lawrence had a population of 89,143. Of which, 81.7% were Hispanic/Latino, 12.3% were non-Hispanic White, 2.3% were non-Hispanic Black, 1.7% were Asian, 0.1% were Native American or Pacific Islander, 1.9% mixed or other. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Census, the city's population is 76,377, the population density is 10,973.7 per square mile (4237/km2), and there are 27,137 households (25,181 occupied).

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Lawrence

North of Boston

Mass Bay Movers

Lawrence General Hospital

Fortify Training

Green Dragons Dojo and Wellness Center.

Cedarland Family Fun Center

Bluestem Yoga

D-Bat Lawrence

Dash Salon and Day Spa

Lawrence Heritage State Park 

Den Rock Park 

Valley Forum Ice Arena 

Campagnone Common

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