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Lancaster, MA


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Lancaster, Massachusetts

Introduction to Lancaster, Massachusetts

Lancaster, Massachusetts, in Worcester county, is 14 miles NE of Worcester, Massachusetts (center to center) and 32 miles W of Boston, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, 7,380 people lived in Lancaster.

Lancaster History

Lancaster, which was settled in 1643, was originally named Nashaway after the Nashaway Indian tribes. It was founded by John Prescott and incorporated in 1653, as Lancaster on the Nashua. It was named after the City of Lancaster in Lancashire, England, and was home to the Beaman Oak, the largest oak tree in Massachusetts from 1623 – 1677. Towns like Bolton, Clinton, Harvard, Hudson, Berlin, Stow, Marlborough, Boylston, and Leominster were once a part of the Town of Lancaster.

Lancaster and Nearby Attractions

  • Lancaster State Forest
  • Fifth Meeting House
  • Worcester Art Museum
  • Tower Hill Botanic Garden
  • Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
  • Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Things To Do In Lancaster

Lancaster is home to Fiske Hill National Park and Lancaster State Forest. There are several rivers and brooks that offer opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports including the North Nashua River, Ponakin Brook, McGovern Brook, and Still River. The Evangelical Congregational Church, Convent of the Cenacle, and First Church of Christ are some of the local churches. Other popular places to visit include Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, and Hudson Historical Society Museum.

Lancaster Transportation

Worcester Regional Airport is nearby.

Lancaster Higher Education

Colleges near Lancaster include Fitchburg State College, Middlesex Community College, and Quinsigamond Community College.

High Points

Lancaster strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Massachusetts):

CategoryTrophy
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 4%trophyLancaster Racial Diversity
Low Property Crime
(vs. Peers)		Top 9%Lancaster Low Property Crime
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)		Top 12%Lancaster Well-Paid Single Men

Comparative Profile of Lancaster, MA

Comparing Lancaster to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Massachusetts (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population1010
Well-Paid Single Men98
Racial Diversity910
Age of the Population52
Senior Citizens33
Children Under 5 Years Old22
Female Share of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married98
Average Household Size99

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty86
Median Family Income86
People in Middle Class or Better86
College Educated Adults85

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Working at Home108
Public Transportation Use42
Short Commute Times37
Walking and Biking to Work33

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing97
Affordability of Rents57
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals47
Housing Recently Built45
Affordability of Property Taxes46
People Living Alone23

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime107

Detailed pages on related topics: Lancaster colleges.

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Additional Details

Lancaster CollegesLancaster Colleges
Lancaster colleges and trade schools.

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