Introduction

Framingham is a city located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The population of Framingham MA is 71,649. The median age in Framingham is 38.9 years (39.8 years for women and 38.1 years for men). To find out more information such as the best schools in Framingham MA, neighborhoods in Framingham MA, and more, reach out to our experts at Nextburb.

Quick Facts About Framingham, MA

• Framingham MA has plenty of highly-rated public schools.

• The city has a lot of outdoor activities to offer.

• It has a diversity grade of A.

• Framingham MA is one of the most diverse suburbs in Massachusetts.

• It is one of the best suburbs for young professionals in Massachusetts.

History of Framingham, MA

The settlement of Framingham MA first came about due to a European named John Stone who, in 1647, settled on the west bank of the Sudbury River. Tantamous, who was a Native American leader, resided in Framingham’s Nobscot Hill area before King Philip's War that took place in 1676.

Thomas Danforth, who was a Bay Colony official, was given a grant of land at Danforth's Farms and ended up accumulating more than 15,000 acres of land. Although he strongly resisted the town from being incorporated, the official incorporation of Framingham took place in 1700, a year after he passed away. Framingham’s first church was established in 1701, with the first teacher being appointed in 1706, and the first permanent schoolhouse being developed in 1716.

Framingham served as a spot for annual gatherings for the members of the abolitionist movement prior to the American Civil War. The area that is now known as downtown Framingham was where the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society conducted a rally every Independence Day between the years 1854 to 1865 at Harmony Grove, which is located near the downtown area. The rally of 1854 saw names such as William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth, William Cooper Nell, Wendell Phillips, and Henry David Thoreau.

The city of Framingham saw a huge increase in population and housing during the post-World War II baby boom. The Framingham Heart Study is a well-known part of Framingham along with the watch box and jewelry manufacturing company known as the Dennison Manufacturing Company, which was built by Aaron Lufkin Dennison.

As time went by, Framingham went on to become Massachusetts’ largest town, and was also referred to by its residents as "The largest town in the country." Framingham attempted to become a city thrice before actually becoming one on 1st January, 2018, which is when Yvonne M. Spicer became the first mayor of the city and also the first popularly elected female African-American mayor in all of Massachusetts.

Demographics of Framingham MA

Age Distribution

5.5% of the population in Framingham MA is below the age of 5. 14.1% of them are kids between the age of 5 to 17, 8.9% of them fall between the ages of 18 to 24, and 15.6% of the individuals are aged between 25 to 34. Those falling in the bracket of 35 to 54 make up 27.4% of the population, 12.9% of them fall between the ages of 55 to 64, and the individuals over the age of 65 constitute 15.7% of the population of Framingham MA.

Educational Attainment

90.3% of Framingham MA’s population constitutes of high school graduates. 6% of the residents are currently attending college and 47.6% of them are college graduates.

Diversity in Framingham

Majority of Framingham MA’s population is White, coming up 63%. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 16.1% of the population, Asians constitute 7.8% of the population, and 6.5% of the individuals belong to other or two or more races. Blacks or African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders make up 6.2%, 0.4%, and 0.1% of the population respectively.

Real Estate in Framingham MA: What Do the Numbers Say?

The median listing home price per square foot in Framingham MA in October 2021 was recorded as $302. The median listing home price was $545K and $542.5K was the median home sold price.

Types of Homes

• Single-family homes: 50.3%

• Townhomes: 6.1%

• Small apartment buildings: 13.3%

• Apartment complexes: 29.9%

• Mobile homes: 0.2%

• Other: 0.1%

Home Value by Number of Bedrooms

• No bedroom: 3.2%

• One bedroom: 19.2%

• Two bedrooms: 23.6%

• Three bedrooms: 32.4%

• Four bedrooms: 18.2%

• Five or more bedrooms: 3.3%

Getting a Home in Framingham

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Rentals and Properties in Framingham

Looking to rent a place in Framingham? Click here to check out some rentals in the town. Those wishing to buy a home can discover the listings through this link.

Professions of the Residents of Framingham

The per capita income of Framingham MA is $42,684 and the national per capita income is $34,103. While Framingham’s median household income is $82,709, the national median household income is $62,843. Some of the professions chosen by the residents of Framingham include:

• Healthcare: 14.2%

• Retail: 11.8%

• Education: 11.3%

• Professionals: 9.9%

• Manufacturing: 7.9%

• Construction: 7.3%

• Accommodation: 6.6%

• Other: 5.9%

• Administration: 5.7%

• Finance: 4.2%

• Public Service: 2.9%

• Information Technology: 2.8%

• Transportation: 2.6%

• Real Estate: 2.2%

Cost of Living in Framingham

The cost of living in Framingham MA is 31% higher than the national average and 0% higher than the Massachusetts average. Transportation happens to be the costliest department in Framingham MA. This is immediately followed by food, with housing and health coming right after that.

K-12 Schools in Framingham, MA

No matter what kind of an educational institution you’re looking for, our experts at Nextburb can help you find out all about the best schools in Framingham MA.

Public Schools

The public schools in Framingham MA are:

• Hemenway Elementary School

• Potter Road Elementary School

• Charlotte A Dunning Elementary School

• Brophy Elementary School

• Mary E Stapleton Elementary School

• Walsh Middle School

• Cameron Middle School

• Christa McAuliffe Charter School

• Fuller Middle School

• Framingham High School

Private Schools

The private schools in Framingham MA include:

• Saint Bridget School

• Happy Hollow School

• Sudbury Valley School

• Reed Academy

Preschools

The preschools, childcare options, and daycare facilities in Framingham MA are as follows:

• Happy Hollow School

• Little Acorns Children's Center

• Little Hands Big, idea

• Kiddie Academy of Framingham

• Loving Nest Preschool

Colleges in Framingham MA

Speaking of colleges and universities in Framingham MA, the name that absolutely must be mentioned is the Framingham State University. Not only does FSU offer a safe and unique learning environment to its students, it also provides a close-knit community and experienced professors to its students who are intensely focused on their careers.

With 39 undergraduate programs, more than 30 master’s courses, and various certificate courses, FSU prepares its students to reach their ultimate goals. From state-of-the-art science laboratories to an art gallery and planetarium, FSU indeed has a lot to offer. ‘Live to the truth’ is the motto followed by Framingham State University to provide high-quality and affordable education to all its bright and worthy students.

Crime Rate in Framingham, MA

The crime rate in Framingham MA is much lower when compared to the average US city. Falling in the 84th percentile for safety and having an A- crime grade, only 16% of the places in the United States are safer than Framingham MA. In a given year, the crime rate in Framingham MA is 15.10 per 1,000 residents.

Commute to and from Framingham

74.1% of the residents in Framingham MA drive their own cars. 4.9% of them work from home and 4% of the individuals utilize mass transit.

Commuter Trains

Framingham is the MBTA commuter rail station located in Framingham MA. The time it takes to travel from Framingham MA to Boston MA via a commuter train is about an hour.

Nearby Airports

The airports located near Framingham MA are:

• Boston Logan International Airport (25 minutes away)

• Worcester Regional Airport (39 minutes away)

Community Life in Framingham

The community life in Framingham MA is one that is warm, ethnically diverse, and tight-knit. A couple of the organizations and entities that give a reflection of the community life in the city are as follows:

Carmel Terrace Assisted Living: Carmel Terrace Assisted Living offers senior living, senior care, and assisted living services in Framingham MA. The minute you enter the grounds of this organization, there is a sense of calm and tranquility that greets you, proving that this place is not just an ordinary senior living center. With compassion, dignity, and respect being the pillars of Carmel Terrace, supportive services and personalized assisted living options are offered to the residents.

Situated amidst Metrowest Boston in Framingham, Carmel Terrace not only encourages the freedom and independence of every individual, but also ensures that their bonds with their family and the community stay strong. Surrounded by 26 acres of gardens and greenery, the residents of this facility are exposed to the best amenities, services, and experienced staff members to attend to their needs. You can contact the facility to learn more about their services and philosophy and explore the kind of lifestyle they offer.

Brookdale Cushing Park: Brookdale Cushing Park is a senior living facility spread across 100 acres of Framingham MA. Providing assisted living, senior living, and memory care services to the senior residents of the city, it is located just a drive away from Boston. Regardless of the activities and events that every individual enjoys, there is something for everyone at Brookdale Cushing Park. Whether it’s participating in trivia night, enjoying happy hour, or watching a movie, this organization doesn’t let you miss out on any of your favorite activities. The physical activities include yoga, cardio classes, Tai Chi, and walking. They also engage you in mind activities so as to keep you sharp and focused, with fun activities such as table games, BrainFit, and so on.

At Brookdale Cushing Park, they believe that the time to learn new things never comes to an end, which is why the facility also conducts dance lessons, cooking workshops, devotional classes, and painting lessons. Sunday brunches, frequent excursions, happy hour gatherings, and holiday parties are organized often to keep the engagement level high and encourage the residents to mingle with one another. The dining options offered, too, are top-notch and the meals are designed keeping everyone’s health and diet plans in mind.

The Branches of Framingham: The Branches of Framingham is an assisted living facility located in Framingham MA. The senior residents who need assistance with daily activities but also wish to enjoy their independence can reach out to this organization. All-day service is provided by the professionals at Branches of Framingham for those who need help with transportation, dressing, bathing, medical management, and other activities.

The facility also provides memory care services for those suffering from memory loss, Alzheimer's, or other forms of dementia. Both individual as well as group activities are developed to enable each individual to express themselves creatively. It is through research-based programming that the social, physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual wellness of each resident is enhanced.

Community and Economic Development Division: The Community and Economic Development Division of Framingham MA is a part of the planning and community development of the government of Framingham. This division is responsible for enhancing every resident’s quality of life and promoting the economic development of Framingham. In order to achieve this mission, this particular division looks after several projects meant to develop the community, while also working in close proximity with stakeholders and different city divisions to make sure the community grows comprehensively.

Top Attractions to Visit in Framingham

Garden in the Woods: Garden in the Woods is a botanical garden located in Framingham MA that displays numerous plants native to New England, along with multiple complementary specimens from across USA.

Danforth Art Museum: Danforth Art Museum is an art museum and school located in Framingham MA. Not only does it showcase unique and vibrant art pieces, but also offers art classes across different age groups.

Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company: Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company is a brewery in Framingham MA that allows you to experience different beers with your friends and family.

Places of Worship in Framingham

The places of worship in Framingham MA include:

Boston Taiwanese Christian Church

15 Elm St

Framingham, MA 01701

Contact: (508) 877-6030

First Baptist Church

1013 Worcester Rd

Framingham, MA 01701

Contact: (508) 872-1176

Community Of Grace Church

10 Pearl St

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 834-4083

Lutheran Church of Framingham

3 Maple Street

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 877-2550

New Jerusalem Baptist Church

10 Frederick St

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 620-7177

Shalom Pentecostal Church

30 Hollis St

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 628-3895

Saint Bridget Parish

830 Worcester Rd

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 875-5959

St. George Catholic Church

74 School St

Framingham, MA 01701

Contact: (508) 877-5130

Temple Baptist Church

225 Maynard Rd

Framingham, MA 01701

Contact: (508) 620-1321

Wesley United Methodist Church

80 Beacon St

Framingham, MA 01701

Contact: (508) 875-3850

Framingham Spanish SDA Church

305 Hollis St

Framingham, MA 01702

Contact: (508) 879-8090

Places to Eat in Framingham

Framingham MA has numerous cuisines to offer to its residents and visitors. Outdoor seating, indoor seating, and delivery options are all available at Framingham, depending on what you prefer on a given day. Some of the eateries to try out at Framingham MA are:

• J&M Diner

• Jack's Abby Craft Lagers

• Bella Costa

• Legal Sea Foods

• Green Leaf Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant

• Sichuan Gourmet

• Pho Dakao

• Aoi Japanese Restaurant

• Bourbon's Kitchen & Cocktails

• Mediterranean Turkish Cuisine

• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

• Kugel's Deli

• Welcome India

Comparison to Neighboring Towns

Some of the towns located near Framingham MA are Wayland, Ashland, and Natick.

Click here to compare Framingham MA to Wayland MA.

Click here to compare Framingham MA to Ashland MA.

Click here to compare Framingham MA to Natick MA.

Compare all the towns together by clicking here.

Is Framingham a Good Place to Live In?

Framingham MA is indeed a good place to live in for various reasons. Playing host to numerous well-rated public schools, the city offers great education to the students who wish to study in the city of Framingham. Additionally, the city is safe and has a warm and vibrant community for anyone residing in Framingham or planning to move there for different purposes.

FAQs About Framingham

Q: Is Framingham a rich town?
A: Yes, Framingham MA is one of the wealthiest cities in the region of Massachusetts.

Q: What is Framingham MA known for?
A: Framingham MA is famous for the numerous white-collar technology and business professionals it is home to.

Q: Which is the famous college located in Framingham MA?
A: The well-known college located in Framingham MA is the Framingham State University.

Q: Is Framingham a suburb of Boston?
A: Framingham is situated right in the middle of Massachusetts. It is located at an almost equal distance from Worcester and Boston.

Q: Does Framingham MA have a library?
A: Yes, Framingham MA does have a library, and it’s known as the Framingham Public Library.