Westminster, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Westminster is a town in Worcester County
, Massachusetts
, in the United States
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 7,277.
Westminster has four entries in the National Register of Historic Places
:
The District includes the following buildings:
Westminster was the site of Westminster Academy, incorporated in 1833.
, the town has a total area of 37.3 square miles (96.6 km²), of which 35.5 square miles (91.9 km²) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), or 4.90%, is water.
Westminster is bordered by Ashburnham
to the north, Gardner
to the west, Hubbardston
to the southwest, Princeton
to the south, and Leominster
and Fitchburg
to the east.
of 2000, there were 6,907 people, 2,529 households, and 1,954 families residing in the town. The population density
was 194.5 people per square mile (75.1/km²). There were 2,694 housing units at an average density of 75.9 per square mile (29.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.50% White, 0.46% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.14% from other races
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population. 17.6% were of French
, 15.0% Irish
, 13.2% French Canadian
, 9.0% English
, 9.0% Italian
, 8.5% Finnish and 5.6% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,529 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples
living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,755, and the median income for a family was $61,835. Males had a median income of $45,369 versus $31,818 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $24,913. About 3.0% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
(MART), but no fixed-route stops serve Westminster.
The MBTA operates a commuter train to Boston's North Station. The closest commuter rail
stop serving Westminster is the Fitchburg stop
on the Fitchburg Line
. , federal funds have been allocated for a Wachusett commuter rail station
planned for Westminster.
.
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 7,277.
History
Westminster was first settled in 1737, and was officially incorporated in 1759.Westminster has four entries in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Ahijah Wood HouseAhijah Wood HouseAhijah Wood House is an historic house at 174 Worcester Road in Westminster, Massachusetts.The house was built in 1795 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987....
— 174 Worcester Rd.Route 140 (Massachusetts)Route 140 is a long state highway which passes through parts of southeastern and central Massachusetts. The highway follows a southeast-northwest trajectory, running from U.S...
(added October 17, 1987) - Nathan Wood HouseNathan Wood HouseNathan Wood House is an historic house at 164 Worcester Road in Westminster, Massachusetts.The house was built in 1756 and added to the National Historic Register in 1987.....
— 164 Worcester Rd.Route 140 (Massachusetts)Route 140 is a long state highway which passes through parts of southeastern and central Massachusetts. The highway follows a southeast-northwest trajectory, running from U.S...
(added October 16, 1987) - Ezra Wood-Levi Warner Place — 165 Depot Rd. (added August 7, 1983)
- Westminster Village-Academy Hill Historic DistrictWestminster Village-Academy Hill Historic DistrictWestminster Village-Academy Hill Historic District is a historic district on Bacon, Adams, Main, Dawley, Academy Hill, Leominster, and Pleasant Streets in Westminster, Massachusetts....
— Bacon, Adams, Main, Dawley, Academy Hill, Leominster, and Pleasant Sts. (added July 23, 1983)
The District includes the following buildings:
- Miles, Daniel Curtis Place — 116 Main St. — c1855. (added October 29, 2006)
- Forbush Memorial Library — 118 Main St.— Built 1901; Dedicated 1902. (added October 29, 2006)
Westminster was the site of Westminster Academy, incorporated in 1833.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 37.3 square miles (96.6 km²), of which 35.5 square miles (91.9 km²) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), or 4.90%, is water.
Westminster is bordered by Ashburnham
Ashburnham, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,546 people, 1,929 households, and 1,541 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.4 people per square mile . There were 2,204 housing units at an average density of 57.0 per square mile...
to the north, Gardner
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
to the west, Hubbardston
Hubbardston, Massachusetts
Hubbardston is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the town population was 4,382.- History :...
to the southwest, Princeton
Princeton, Massachusetts
Princeton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States.It is bordered on the east by Sterling and Leominster, on the north by Westminster, on the northwest by Hubbardston, on the southwest by Rutland, and on the southeast by Holden....
to the south, and Leominster
Leominster, Massachusetts
Leominster is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the second-largest city in Worcester County, with a population of 40,759 at the 2010 census. Leominster is located north of Worcester and west of Boston. Both Route 2 and Route 12 pass through Leominster. Interstate 190,...
and Fitchburg
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
to the east.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,907 people, 2,529 households, and 1,954 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 194.5 people per square mile (75.1/km²). There were 2,694 housing units at an average density of 75.9 per square mile (29.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.50% White, 0.46% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population. 17.6% were of French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 15.0% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 13.2% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
, 9.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 9.0% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, 8.5% Finnish and 5.6% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,529 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,755, and the median income for a family was $61,835. Males had a median income of $45,369 versus $31,818 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $24,913. About 3.0% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Public transportation for northern Worcester county is largely supplied by the Montachusett Regional Transit AuthorityMontachusett Regional Transit Authority
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority is one of Massachusetts' regional transit authorities. It is a public, non-profit organization in Massachusetts, charged with providing public transportation to an area consisting of the cities of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner, and the adjoining...
(MART), but no fixed-route stops serve Westminster.
The MBTA operates a commuter train to Boston's North Station. The closest commuter rail
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
stop serving Westminster is the Fitchburg stop
Fitchburg (MBTA station)
Fitchburg is a passenger rail station on MBTA Commuter Rail's Fitchburg Line, located at 100 Main St., Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and is the northern terminus for Fitchburg Line trains...
on the Fitchburg Line
Fitchburg Line
The Fitchburg Line is an MBTA line that runs from Boston's North Station to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The line is along the tracks of the former Fitchburg Railroad, which was a railroad line across northern Massachusetts, United States, leading to and through the Hoosac Tunnel. It is one of the...
. , federal funds have been allocated for a Wachusett commuter rail station
Wachusett (MBTA station)
Wachusett is a planned passenger rail station on MBTA Commuter Rail's Fitchburg Line, to be located northwest of the intersection of Massachusetts Route 2 and Route 31...
planned for Westminster.
Library
The Westminster Town Library was established in 1868. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Westminster spent 2.97% ($518,171) of its budget on its public library—some $70 per person.Business
From 1828 to 1970, Westminster was home to the Westminster Cracker Company. Westminster is currently home to:- the U.S. Corporate Sales & Marketing division of SimplexGrinnellSimplexGrinnellSimplexGrinnell, a subsidiary of Tyco International, is an American company specializing in active fire protection systems, communication systems and testing, inspection and maintenance services...
http://www.simplexgrinnell.com/contact/index.jsp - the Distribution Center of Aubuchon HardwareAubuchon HardwareAubuchon Hardware is a hardware store chain in the northeastern United States consisting of 140 paint and hardware stores and one lumber yard throughout Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and upstate New York....
http://www.hardwarestore.com/ - the Wachusett Brewing CompanyWachusett Brewing CompanyWachusett Brewing Company is a microbrewery and craft brewery in Westminster, Massachusetts.Founded in 1993, by former attendees of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Wachusett Brewing Company is Worcester County's first and only brewery and was well-accepted by the town of Westminster. One of the...
http://www.wachusettbrew.com/ - the Fitchburg Welding Co., Inc. and Twin City Machining Inc. http://www/fitchweld.com/
People
Notable residents of Westminster include George Lane, former U.S. ambassador to North YemenNorth Yemen
North Yemen is a term currently used to designate the Yemen Arab Republic , its predecessor, the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen , and their predecessors that exercised sovereignty over the territory that is now the north-western part of the state of Yemen in southern Arabia.Neither state ever...
.