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Southbridge Town, MA

Frequently asked questions

Southbridge Town, MA

Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,740 at the 2020 census. Although Southbridge has a city form of government, it is legally known as the Town of Southbridge.

The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing their territories. As early as 1638, John Winthrop Jr. purchased Tantiusques, a tract for mining lead centered at what is now Leadmine Road in Sturbridge (it was thought at the time that where there was lead, there should be silver nearby). The mineral deposit was graphite which the Winthrops commercialized by employing Nipmuck miners.

Southbridge was first settled by Europeans in 1730. In 1801 a poll parish, named the Second Religious Society of Charlton, and popularly called Honest Town, was formed from the west part of Dudley, the southwest part of Charlton, and the southeast part of Sturbridge. In 1816 this parish was incorporated to become the township of Southbridge. Among the first settlers was Moses Marcy, who owned a home on the site of what is now Notre Dame church and was elected to Congress, and the Dennison family. Water power from the Quinebaug River made Southbridge a good location for sawmills and gristmills in the 18th century, and textile mills in the 19th century. After the Civil War, many immigrants of Irish and French Canadian descent came to work and live there; by the 1930s they had been joined by Poles, Greeks, Italians, and others.

Southbridge has a long history of manufacturing optical products, earning it the unofficial title "Eye of the Commonwealth", about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under the Wells family, the American Optical Company ("AO") became the world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic products, and at its height employed more than 6,000 people around the world. Many of its workers were exempted from the draft during World War II since they were doing vital defense work, including making Norden bombsights and even some work on the atomic bomb.

By the early 1960s, the mill town had a movie theatre, an AM radio station (WESO), and an airport. New immigrants from Puerto Rico, Laos, and Vietnam began arriving in the 1970s and 1980s, and the town now has a significant Hispanic and Puerto Rican population. The American Optical Company shut down in 1984, and Southbridge is still struggling from the loss of these and other manufacturing jobs.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.9 square miles (54 km2), of which 20.4 square miles (53 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), or 2.40%, is water. Southbridge is drained by the Quinebaug River.

The principal road in Southbridge is Route 131, known as Main Street through downtown and East Main Street past the "AO Rotary" and through Sandersdale, a village on the town's east side. North-south roads include Eastford Road and Elm Street (Route 198), and Worcester Street-Mechanic Street-North Woodstock Road (Route 169). Also, Gulpwood Road leads up to Charlton and Dudley. Southbridge was formed out of portions of three of its neighboring towns: Sturbridge to the west, Charlton to the north, and Dudley to the east. The other neighboring town is Woodstock, Connecticut to the south.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. UMass Memorial Health – Harrington Hospital offers a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Fitness Compound provides a fully equipped gym and various fitness classes to keep you in shape. The Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center provides an extensive fitness center and an indoor pool, perfect for maintaining physical health. Tri-Community YMCA of Southbridge Inc. offers a range of fitness classes and programs for all ages. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Westville Recreation Area provides walking trails and opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Additionally, the Southbridge Community Center hosts wellness workshops and support groups. Yoga enthusiasts can join classes at Ananda Yoga or Serenity Yoga.

Top Sites in Southbridge Town, MA are the Optical Heritage Museum, Old Sturbridge Village, and Cohasse Country Club.
 

ZIP code: 01550. Area: 54.03 km². Area code: 508 / 774. Elevation: 489 ft (149 m). Population: 17,619 (2022).

FAQs

What is Southbridge Town, MA famous for?

Southbridge has a long history of manufacturing optical products, earning it the unofficial title "Eye of the Commonwealth", about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under the Wells family, the American Optical Company ("AO") became the world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic products, and at its height employed more than 6,000 people around the world. The Industrial Revolution brought rapid growth to Southbridge, and with growth came varied neighborhoods and a historical downtown with Victorian architecture and large, shady streets. The industry also brought successive waves of immigration as people from many nationalities moved here to work in the mills. Neighborhoods developed near industry, while outlying areas remained largely agricultural.

What is it like to live in Southbridge Town, MA?

Southbridge is in Worcester County. Living in Southbridge offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many families live in Southbridge and residents tend to be liberal.

What is the poverty rate in Southbridge Town, MA?

Southbridge Town has a 2024 population of 17,527. Southbridge Town is currently declining at a rate of -0.26% annually and its population has decreased by -1.04% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,711 in 2020. The average household income in Southbridge Town is $72,883 with a poverty rate of 17.94%. The median age in Southbridge Town is 38.6 years: 38.5 years for males, and 38.6 years for females.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Southbridge

Niche

World Population Review

Optical Heritage Museum

Old Sturbridge Village

Cohasse Country Club

UMass Memorial Health – Harrington Hospital

Fitness Compound

Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center

Tri-Community YMCA of Southbridge Inc

Westville Recreation Area

Serenity Yoga

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