Framingham

Framingham is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located in the MetroWest region about 20 miles west of downtown Boston. The town spans approximately 25 square miles and contains a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and parkland. It is part of the Boston metropolitan area and, as of recent estimates, has a population around 70,000, making it one of the larger communities in the region.

Framingham was settled by English colonists in the 1640s and named after Framlingham in England. It was incorporated as a town in 1700. The town developed as a transportation hub, with early rail service and major roadways. It is home to Framingham State University, founded in 1839 as a normal school and today a public university offering liberal arts and professional programs. The Framingham Union Hospital campus is part of MetroWest Medical Center. The Framingham Heart Study, begun in 1948, is a long-running cohort study that has contributed greatly to cardiovascular science.

Framingham’s economy centers on education, healthcare, retail, and services. The Route 9 corridor hosts a concentration of businesses, and the town has historic retail sites such as Shoppers World Framingham. Major transportation routes include Massachusetts Route 9 and access to Interstate 90 and nearby I-495. Public transportation includes the MBTA Framingham/Worcester Line commuter rail, connecting Framingham with Boston and Worcester.