Overview

Introduction to Lexington, Massachusetts

Lexington, Massachusetts, in Middlesex county, is 4 miles N of Waltham, Massachusetts (center to center) and 10 miles NW of Boston, Massachusetts. The affluent suburban community is known for being the location of the Battle of Lexington, the initial battle of the American Revolution. It's a popular tourist destination which features numerous historic buildings, houses, monuments and parks with most going back to the Colonial and Revolutionary days. The town center includes numerous restaurants, shops, fine art galleries and the Depot Square.

Lexington History

It was settled in 1642 as the Cambridge Farms parish of Cambridge Massachusetts. Lexington was incorporated as a town in 1713. In the beginning, Lexington was a farming community. Throughout its history the downtown has been an active location. Lexington was the site of the initial battle of the American Revolutionary War. The city prospered by being close to Boston. During the 1960's and 1970's the population significantly increased due to the region's high-tech boom.

Lexington Attractions

  • Patriot's Day includes a Paul Revere's ride and a re-enactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • Buckman Tavern was the location where the Minutemen stayed while waiting to learn about British troop movements
  • Hancock-Clarke House
  • Munroe Tavern includes historic furniture
  • The Old Belfry
  • The Battle Green is situated in Lexington Centre and was the location of a prominent Revolutionary War battle. It features the well known Minuteman statue
  • The Old Depot train station
  • The Revolutionary Monument is regarded as the United States oldest war memorial and is the grave site of the colonists who died in the Battle of Lexington
  • The National Heritage Museum offers exhibits on a variety of American history topics and popular culture
  • Follen Church
  • Old Burying Ground
  • Minute Man National Historical Park includes sites of the initial battles of the American Revolution
  • The Liberty Ride tour take visitors along the historic Battle Road with a guide wearing a historic costume

Lexington Activities

Arlington's Great Meadow is a large, notable acreage. The Willards Woods Conservation Area includes a small forest landscape. The Minute Man Bikeway is a popular bike path. Golfers enjoy the Pine Meadows Golf Course. The nearby White Mountains provides opportunities for skiing, hiking and observing the scenic fall foliage. The North Shore towns offer the closest beach areas. Nearby Boston includes a wide variety of activities and entertainment.

Lexington Transportation

Air travel is provided at Logan International Airport in nearby Boston.

Demographics

People

Total Population33,480
Male Share of the Population48.5%
Female Share of the Population51.5%
Senior Citizens19.2%
Employed Population 16+15,873
Age of the Population45

Families

% of people married66.3%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher59.3%
Median Earnings25+$100,730
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$15,368
Median Earnings With High School Degree$47,500

Wealth

Median Family Income$206,591
% Above Poverty Level96.4%
% Below Poverty Level3.6%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time32 minutes
% Working from Home9.1%
% Walking and Biking to Work3.6%
% Using Public Transportation8.6%

Housing

People Living Alone19.1%
Median Gross Rent$2,240
Median House Value$849,400

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)36%
English10.4%
Irish10.4%
Italian8.3%
German7.6%
Russian3.8%
Polish3.2%
Scottish2.6%
French Except Basque1.6%
US/American1.5%
Swedish1.4%
Arab1.2%
Greek1%
Lithuanian0.9%
Canadian0.8%
Ukrainian0.7%
Norwegian0.7%
Austrian0.6%
Syrian0.6%
Finnish0.6%
Dutch0.6%
Hungarian0.5%
Swiss0.5%
Estonian0.5%
Welsh0.5%
Egyptian0.4%
Danishn0.4%
West Indian0.4%
Brazilian0.4%
Israeli0.3%
African0.3%
Portuguese0.3%
Romanian0.3%
Turkish0.2%
Albanian0.2%
Czech0.2%
Slovak0.2%
Jamaican0.2%
Cypriot0.1%
Trinidad Tobago0.1%
Palestinian0.1%
Iranian0.1%
Belgian0.1%
Latvian0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Cape Verdean0.1%
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Lexington Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyMiddlesex County
Standard Zip Codes02420, 02421
Phone Area Codes3,39,781
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude42.46
Approximate Longitude-71.22

Lexington Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationBEDFORD
Distance3.9 miles
Jan Temp16 to 35 F
Apr Temp36 to 58 F
Jul Temp60 to 83 F
Oct Temp39 to 62 F
Annual Precip46.9 inches
StationREADING
Distance6.7 miles
Jan Temp16 to 35 F
Apr Temp35 to 58 F
Jul Temp60 to 83 F
Oct Temp39 to 62 F
Annual Precip48.3 inches
StationMIDDLETON
Distance15 miles
Jan Temp17 to 38 F
Apr Temp37 to 58 F
Jul Temp62 to 83 F
Oct Temp42 to 64 F
Annual Precip45.3 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Arlington45,147$142,985
Belmont26,043$154,968
Burlington27,059$126,830
Woburn40,298$105,485

Lexington Public Libraries

Cary Memorial Library
1874 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
Lexington, Massachusetts
(781) 862-6288

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Lexington Public Schools

Fiske
55 Adams Street
ZIP: 2420
(781) 541-5001
Primary
Total Enrollment 494
Harrington
328 Lowell Street
ZIP: 2420
(781) 860-0012
Primary
Total Enrollment 446
Joseph Estabrook
117 Grove Street
ZIP: 2420
(781) 861-2520
Primary
Total Enrollment 497
Lexington Children's Place
328 Lowell Street
ZIP: 2420
(781) 860-5823
Primary
Total Enrollment 52
Wm Diamond Middle
99 Hancock Street
ZIP: 2420
(781) 861-2460
Middle
Total Enrollment 792
Bowman
9 Philip Rd
ZIP: 2421
(781) 861-2500
Primary
Total Enrollment 573
Bridge
55 Middleby Rd
ZIP: 2421
(781) 861-2510
Primary
Total Enrollment 587
Jonas Clarke Middle
17 Stedman Rd
ZIP: 2421
(781) 861-2450
Middle
Total Enrollment 824
Lexington High
251 Waltham Street
ZIP: 2421
(781) 861-2320
High
Total Enrollment 2093
Maria Hastings
7 Crosby Road
ZIP: 2421
(781) 860-5800
Primary
Total Enrollment 427
Minuteman Regional High
758 Marrett Rd
ZIP: 2421
(781) 861-6500
High
Total Enrollment 673

Lexington Private Schools

Lexington Christian Academy
48 Bartlett Ave
ZIP: 2420
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 302
Waldorf School Of Lexington
739 Massachusetts Ave
ZIP: 2420
Elementary
Total Enrollment 185
Armenian Sisters Academy
20 Pelham Rd
ZIP: 2421
Elementary
Total Enrollment 76
Community Therapeutic Day School
187 Spring St
ZIP: 2421
Elementary
Total Enrollment 31
Cotting School
453 Concord Ave
ZIP: 2421
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 106
Lexington Montessori School
130 Pleasant St
ZIP: 2421
Elementary
Total Enrollment 152
Meadowridge Pelham Academy
13 Pelham Rd
ZIP: 2421
Secondary
Total Enrollment 25
Sources :
Our Partner Listings
Historic Lexington

photo

House of Marrett and Nathan Munroe ca. 1900

Select a photo to view (Source):

House of Marrett and Nathan Munroe ca. 1900

Harrington House between 1890 and 1901

Dining room (John Hancock House) ca. 1900

Additional Resources
Info for Lexington Government Officials


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