Melrose, Massachusetts

Melrose is a city located in the Greater Boston metropolitan area and Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 27,134 at the 2000 census. Melrose has numerous schools including a few elementary schools, the new Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School that will be constructed in 2007, and Melrose High School.

History

The area in which Melrose now lies was first explored in 1628. That tract became part of Charlestown in 1629. In 1638 it was named Pond Fielde. It became part of Malden in 1649. In 1850, Melrose was incorporated as the Town of Melrose. It was incorporated as the City of Melrose in 1900.

The name "Melrose" comes from the burgh of Melrose, Scotland.

Geography

Melrose is located at (42.459045, -71.062339).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.1 km² (4.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.26%) is water.

Melrose is approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. It borders five city/towns: Malden, Saugus, Stoneham, Revere, and Wakefield.

Major Geographic features include Ell Pond, just north of the downtown area, and the Fells Woods, running through the west end of the city into Stoneham.

Politics

Mike Festa(D) is the State Representative. Richard Tisei (R) is the State Senator. Robert J. Dolan (D) is the mayor. Melrose is represented by Edward J. Markey (D) in the United States House of Representatives and by John Kerry (D) and Edward M. Kennedy (D) in the United States Senate.

Melrose is served by an eleven member Board of Aldermen. Four At-Large Aldermen are elected by the entire city, while seven Ward Aldermen are elected by their individual wards. The mayor and all aldermen are elected to two-year terms. City elections are held in odd numbered years.

Once had a gay mayor.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,134 people, 10,982 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,233.8/km² (5,779.8/mi²). There were 11,248 housing units at an average density of 926.0/km² (2,395.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.94% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 10,982 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,811, and the median income for a family was $78,144. Males had a median income of $50,644 versus $39,517 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,347. About 1.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people from Melrose

Keith Tkachuk professional hockey player; born in Melrose.
George Philip "Phil" Bryant, Olympic gold medalist in archery; born in Melrose.
Will Cotton American painter; born in Melrose.
Don Orsillo Melrose-born Red Sox NESN announcer.
Gary Cherone rock singer who currently resides in Melrose.
Mary Livermore American reformer who died in Melrose.
David Souter Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court; born in Melrose.
Elizabeth George Speare American children's author
Bill Rodgers marathon runner who lived in Melrose for many years
Benjamin Maxwell Joslin an up and coming hip hop artist who has reported links to Jewish terrorist organizations.

Melrose related links

External links

Cities in Massachusetts | Middlesex County, Massachusetts