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Waltham, MA

Frequently asked questions

Waltham, MA

Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, and was an early center for the labor movement as well as a major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th-century industrial city planning, spawning what became known as the Waltham-Lowell system of labor and production. The city is now a center for research and higher education, home to Brandeis University and Bentley University as well as industrial powerhouse Raytheon Technologies. The population was 65,218 at the census in 2020.

Waltham has been called a "watch city" because of its association with the watch industry. Waltham Watch Company opened its factory in Waltham in 1854 and was the first company to make watches on an assembly line. It won the gold medal in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. The company produced over 35 million watches, clocks, and instruments before it closed in 1957.

Waltham was first settled in 1634 as part of Watertown and was officially incorporated as a separate town in 1738. Waltham is most likely named for Waltham Abbey in the County of Essex, England. The first record of the name is from the articles of incorporation, dated January 15, 1738. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon words, weald or wald "forest" and ham "homestead" or "enclosure." Waltham had no recognizable town center until the 1830s when the nearby Boston Manufacturing Company gave the town the land that now serves as its central square.

The city is home to several large estates, including Gore Place, a mansion built in 1806 for former Massachusetts governor Christopher Gore, the Robert Treat Paine Estate, a residence designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted for philanthropist Robert Treat Paine, Jr. (1810–1905), and the Lyman Estate, a 400-acre (1.6 km2) estate built in 1793 by Boston merchant Theodore Lyman.

Waltham is located at 42°22′50″N 71°14′6″W (42.380596, −71.235005), about 11 miles (18 km) north-west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, and approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Boston's Brighton neighborhood. The heart of the city is Waltham Common, which is home to the City Hall and various memorial statues. The Common is on Main Street, which is home to several churches, the Waltham Public Library, and Post Office. The city stretches along the Charles River and contains several dams. The dams were used to power textile mills and other endeavors in the early years of industrial activity. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.6 square miles (35 km2), of which 12.7 square miles (33 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (6.69%) is water.

Waltham places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Mass General West Medical Group providers perform routine health screenings as well as complex diagnostic evaluations and treatment for adults and seniors. For fitness, you can go to Orangetheory Fitness. Engage in various yoga and meditation classes to enhance flexibility and mindfulness at Shiva Shakti Yoga Center and Chakra Power Yoga. Enjoy hiking, picnicking, and breathtaking views in this expansive park of Prospect Hill Park. Rent a bike and explore Waltham's scenic routes and trails with Bluebikes. Access comprehensive outpatient health services, including physical therapy and wellness programs at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Top sites in Waltham, MA are Rose Art Museum, Gore Place, and Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. 

Population: 65,849 (2024). ZIP codes: 02451–02454. Area code: 339/781. Elevation: 50 ft (15 m). Area: 13.6 square miles (35 km2).

FAQs

What is Waltham, MA famous for?

Incorporated in 1783, the town of Waltham is also known as Watch City because of its association with the watch industry. In 1854, Waltham Watch Company opened a factory in town and it was the first company to make watches on an assembly line. The company served the town well and produced over 35 million watches and other instruments before closing in 1957. Additionally, Waltham is the original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the first integrated textile mill in the United States.

How expensive is it to live in Waltham, MA?

Waltham, Massachusetts's cost of living is 44% higher than the national average. Waltham's housing expenses are 103% 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. Waltham has grocery prices that are 12% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Waltham is 19% higher than the national average.

Is Waltham, MA a good place to live?

Waltham is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 64,711. Waltham is in Middlesex County and is one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. Living in Waltham offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Waltham, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The public schools in Waltham are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Waltham

Niche

Payscale

Meet Boston

Rose Art Museum

Gore Place

Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation

Mass General West Medical Group

Orangetheory Fitness

Shiva Shakti Yoga Center

Chakra Power Yoga

Prospect Hill Park

Bluebikes

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

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.