Medford

About Medford

Medford is a historical city located on the banks of the Mystic River in Massachusetts' Middlesex County, just a few miles from the state capital, of Boston. It's known as the site of Tufts University as well as the birthplace of the classic songs "Jingle Bells" and "Over the River and Through the Wood."

The History of Medford

The area where Medford now stands was formerly owned by Mathew Cradock. A city was established on Cradock's land in 1630, although at the time it was considered part of Charlestown. Most of the area was farmland, but large portions were sold to make way for homes and commercial buildings during the 1840s and 1850s.

In the late 1800s, the local economy also grew and diversified. Medford became known for its brick and tile manufacturing facilities, its clipper ships, its rum distilleries and Medford Crackers. The city officially earned its incorporation in 1892, serving as a major center of industry in the greater Boston area.

Living in Medford

Today Medford is home to a diverse and growing population. A significant number of locals are Irish-Americans and Americans of Italian descent. Medford has many Italian restaurants and delicatessens, reflecting the high percentage of residents with Mediterranean roots. Its historic sites and homes provide a unique glimpse into Medford's rich past, like the 1692 Isaac Royall House. Tufts University is a major landmark in the city, providing both top-notch education and a variety of jobs.

Medford has a strong economy thanks to a diverse number of local industries. Its unemployment rate is well below the national average, and job growth projections continued to be very positive. For these reasons, Medford is an excellent place to be joining the local job market. A large number of residents in Medford hold sales, office and administrative support roles. There are also a significant number of local jobs in management, business and finance positions as well as tech-focused roles in the engineering, computers and scientific fields. The eco-friendly River's Edge office park houses some of Medford's most prominent businesses, including Marriott, Management Sciences for Health, Financial Recoveries Technologies and Labthink. OpenBiome and Heirloom Coffee are two other significant businesses headquartered in Medford.

Medford Schools

Medford Public Schools is a small school district based in Medford. It oversees the elementary, middle and high schools in the city, as well as an early learning center. You can also consider a handful of private schools in the area, most of which serve grades K through 8.

Medford is home to a well-known institute of higher education, Tufts University. The private university is split into 10 schools offering a range of degree programs across many fields of study.

Resources for Moving to Medford

Here's some handy information for planning your move to Medford:

• Utilities: Medford's primary energy providers are KeySpan and National Grid. The city manages residential water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are collected on a regular schedule, which is determined by your home's specific location.
  
• Transportation: Medford is part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, a transit network that includes bus, rail and subway. You can easily access Medford's surrounding communities as well as downtown Boston.

Medford Housing

Medford has a number of different neighborhoods with distinct characteristics. West Medford is one of the city's most affluent communities, with spacious homes that are ideal for growing families. The waterfront homes of Wellington, which borders the Mystic River, are a high-end option in the city. For low-maintenance dwellings, look to the modern apartments that dominate Medford Hillside.