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Walpole, MA

Frequently asked questions

Walpole, MA

Walpole is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Walpole Town, as the Census refers to it, is located about 18 miles (29 km) south of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, and 30 miles (48 km) north of Providence, Rhode Island. The population of Walpole was 26,383 at the 2020 census. Walpole was first settled in 1659 and was considered a part of Dedham until officially incorporated in 1724. The town was named after Sir Robert Walpole, de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain. It also encompasses the entirely distinct entity of Walpole (CDP), with its much smaller area of 2.9 square miles.

It started as a territory that was claimed by the Neponset band of the Massachusett Native American tribe. The Neponset tribe officially claimed the area that is now Walpole, and some of its surrounding territory, in 1635. The town of Dedham was not included in this claim, so they began to negotiate with the Neponset tribe to gain land. In 1636, a deal was made between the town of Dedham and the Neponsets to grant Dedham lands that now comprise the towns of Walpole, Norwood, Westwood, Medfield, Norfolk, and Dover as well as Dedham. The land given to Dedham in this deal currently includes parts of 16 different towns.

After the territory was bought from Dedham, the sawmill industry began to rise in the area. The first sawmill in Walpole was built near what is now School Meadow Brook and the Neponset River. It was located in the area that is now the Walpole Town Forest. The mill was built and later owned by Joshua Fisher and Major Eleazer Lusher, two wealthy men of Dedham.

On May 13, 1717, Dedham's Town Meeting voted to allow those in outlying areas to stop paying for the central village's minister and to move the school around town seasonally. When residents of the sawmill village asked to establish their church, however, the Town voted not to allow it on March 7, 1721. Two months later, on May 15, 1721, the same residents presented a petition asking to be set off as their town. Town Meeting once again rejected their request.

Soon residents of the other outlying areas began joining forces with them. Finally, with the urging of the Great and General Court, the new town of Walpole was created in May 1724. The town was named after Sir Robert Walpole.

After its incorporation, Walpole had a role in the events leading up to the American Revolutionary War. The citizens opposed taxes imposed by the British government. They sent a representative, Joshua Clapp, to the state meetings at Faneuil Hall in Boston. These meetings were to discuss how Massachusetts was going to keep its residents safe and peaceful during the events of the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, Walpole sent 157 men to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. These men were led by Captain Seth Bullard. In December 1777, a British fleet of ships came into Narragansett Bay and anchored in Newport Harbor in Rhode Island. Walpole sent two groups of minutemen, consisting of 65 men in total, to help with the situation. These men were led by Joshua Clapp and Oliver Clapp. They stayed in Rhode Island to defend the port for three weeks.

Walpole places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham and Norwood Hospital, offer a top-notch medical staff and a full spectrum of high-quality, state-of-the-art healthcare services. Transparent Fitness provides a variety of fitness classes and personal training sessions. The Walpole Board of Health organizes community health events and provides valuable resources for maintaining well-being. For a unique outdoor experience, Walpole Outdoors features handcrafted pergolas, arbors, and other garden structures that encourage spending time in nature. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy classes at the Beech Street Center, which offers activities such as pickleball, core strengthening, and balance exercises. Additionally, the Somerville YMCA provides various recreational programs for all ages

Top sites in Walpole, MA are Francis William Bird Park, Adams Farm, The Patriots Hall of Fame, and Gillette Stadium.

Population: 26,294 (2023). ZIP codes: 02081, 02032 or 02071. Area codes: 508, 774. Elevation: 150 ft (46 m). Area: 21.0 sq mi (54.4 km2).

FAQs

Is Walpole, MA an affluent town?

Walpole is a medium-sized town located in the state of Massachusetts. The per capita income in Walpole in 2018 was $64,979, which is upper middle income relative to Massachusetts, and wealthy relative to the rest of the US. This equates to an annual income of $259,916 for a family of four. Walpole is a somewhat ethnically diverse town.

Is Walpole MA a good place to live?

Walpole is a suburb of Boston with a population of 26,413. Walpole is in Norfolk County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Walpole offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Walpole, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Walpole are highly rated.

What is the crime rate in Walpole MA?

Walpole has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Walpole is 1 in 91. However, compared to other communities of similar population size, Walpole has a crime rate that is noticeably lower than the average. This means that for comparably sized cities all across America, Walpole is safer than most according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis of FBI crime data.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Walpole

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

Francis William Bird Park 

Adams Farm 

The Patriots Hall of Fame 

Gillette Stadium

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham

Norwood Hospital

Transparent Fitness

Walpole Board of Health

Walpole Outdoors

Beech Street Center

Somerville YMCA

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.