City Town Info

Shirley, MA


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Shirley, Massachusetts

Introduction to Shirley, Massachusetts

Shirley, Massachusetts, in Middlesex county, is 17 miles W of Lowell, Massachusetts and 32 miles NW of Boston, Massachusetts. There are an estimated 6,373 people in the town.

Shirley History

The first permanent European settlement in the area was founded sometime around 1720. The area was once part of the Plantation of Groton, Shirley separated from Groton and was incorporated in 1753. The town was named after William Shirley, the Governor of Massachusetts from 1741 to 1757.

Shirley and nearby Attractions

  • American Textile History Museum
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial House
  • Benjamin Hill Recreation Area
  • Stone Zoo
  • Wyman's Beach
  • Doyle Field

Things To Do In Shirley

Local museums include the Hands-On Art Museum and Fruitlands Museum. The Charles River Canoe Center offers opportunities for canoeing, while the Benjamin Hill Recreation Area is accessible from Shirley as well. Wyman's Beach is the nearest beach.

Shirley Transportation

Boston Logan International is the nearest major airport.

Shirley Higher Education

Nearby colleges and universities include Fitchburg State College, Middlesex Community College, Brandeis University and Quinsigamond Community College, among others.

High Points

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

CategoryTrophy
Low Property Crime
(vs. Peers)		Top 1%trophyShirley Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime
(vs. Peers)		Top 6%Shirley Low Violent Crime
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. Peers)		Top 6%Shirley Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 6%Shirley Racial Diversity
Low Rate of Poverty
(vs. Peers)		Top 13%Shirley Low Rate of Poverty
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. Peers)		Top 18%Shirley People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Shirley, MA

Comparing Shirley 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 Men1010
Racial Diversity810
Age of the Population53
Children Under 5 Years Old45
Senior Citizens22
Female Share of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Portion of People Married74
Average Household Size65

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty98
People in Middle Class or Better97
Median Family Income86
College Educated Adults52

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Public Transportation Use65
Working at Home63
Walking and Biking to Work56
Short Commute Times23

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing85
Housing Recently Built67
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals67
People Living Alone57
Affordability of Rents58
Affordability of Property Taxes47

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime1010
Low Violent Crime109
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