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Charlton, Massachusetts

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Charlton, Massachusetts
Town
Charlton Center
Charlton Center
Flag of Charlton, Massachusetts
Flag
Official seal of Charlton, Massachusetts
Seal
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
Coordinates: 42°08′08″N 71°58′14″W / 42.13556°N 71.97056°W / 42.13556; -71.97056
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountyWorcester
Settled1735
Incorporated1775
Government
 • TypeOpen town meeting
Area
 • Total
43.8 sq mi (113.4 km2)
 • Land42.5 sq mi (110.2 km2)
 • Water1.2 sq mi (3.2 km2)
Elevation
896 ft (273 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,315
 • Density312.9/sq mi (120.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
Area code508 / 774
FIPS code25-12715
GNIS feature ID0618359
Websitewww.townofcharlton.net

Charlton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,315 at the 2020 census.[1]

History

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Charlton was first settled in 1735.[2] It was established as a District separated from Oxford on January 10, 1755, and became a Town on August 23, 1775, by a law that made all Districts into Towns to help for the cause of the Revolutionary War.[3] It was named after Sir Francis Charlton, 4th Baronet Charlton.[4] During the 1800s, farming continued to be the major occupation, but woolen mills were being built along some of the town's brooks by the turn of the twentieth century.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.8 square miles (113 km2), of which 42.5 square miles (110 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (2.86%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the census[17] of 2020, there were 13,315 people and 5,007 households. The population density was 315.7 inhabitants per square mile (121.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 91.0% White, 2.9% African American, 0.6% Asian, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 5,007 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 5.9% had children under the age of 5 years old living with them. 18% were individuals 65 years or older in the household.

According to the 2000 Census, in the town, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $63,033, and the median income for a family was $70,208. Males had a median income of $46,727 versus $33,451 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,626. About 4.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

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Points of interest

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Library

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Charlton Public Library

Charlton Public Library was established in 1882.[19][20] In fiscal year 2008, the town of Charlton spent 1.73% ($306,971) of its budget on its public library—some $24 per person.[21]

Government

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Charlton operates under an open town meeting form of government, with a five-member Board of Selectmen. Who are elected by voters for three-year terms every year.[22] It is arranged so at least one or two members terms expires each year.[23] Karen Spiewak is Chairman.[24]

State government
State Representative(s): John Marsi (R), Paul K. Frost (R)
State Senator(s): Ryan Fattman (R)
Governor's Councilor(s): Paul DePalo (D)
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s): Richard E. Neal (D-1st District),
U.S. Senators: Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)

Education

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Charlton public schools are part of the Dudley–Charlton Regional School district. Charlton Elementary serves students in kindergarten and first grade. The Heritage School serves students in grades 2 through 4. The Charlton Middle School serves grades 5 through 8. Charlton High Schoolers (ninth grade through twelfth grade) attend Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley.

Charlton is also home to Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School which serves Charlton and surrounding communities.

There used to be a high school in the center of town called Charlton High School. That building is now used for the Charlton Municipal Offices.

Infrastructure

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Highways include:

References

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  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Charlton town, Worcester County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates". Secretary of the Commonwealth Citizen Information Service. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  3. ↑ William O. Hultgren (Fall 2004). "Time Line for the Establishment of the Town of Charlton" (PDF). Charlton Historical Society Newsletter. Charlton Historical Society. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
  4. ↑ Watkins, Walter Kendall (1905), "The Town of Charlton: From Whence it Derived Its Name", in McIntire, Hon. Charles J. (ed.), Address at the dedication of Dexter Memorial Hall, pp. 61–62, LCCN 07023794, retrieved November 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  6. ↑ "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  7. ↑ "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  8. ↑ "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  9. ↑ "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  11. ↑ "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  12. ↑ "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  14. ↑ "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  15. ↑ "1790 Census" (PDF). Office of the United States Marshal. 1793. Pages 23 through 32. Massachusetts. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  16. ↑ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Charlton town, Worcester County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Charlton, MA | Official Website". www.townofcharlton.net. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  19. ↑ C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. Google books
  20. ↑ "Charlton Public Library - Charlton, Massachusetts". www.charltonlibrary.org. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2010.[title missing]
  21. ↑ July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: Municipal Pie Reports Archived January 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2010
  22. ↑ "Article I: Town Officials - Town of Charlton". eCode360. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Article III: Selectmen - Town of Charlton". eCode360. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Board of Selectmen | Charlton, MA". www.townofcharlton.net. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
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