Somerville, Massachusetts

Somerville, Massachusetts
Davis Square, Somerville
Davis Square, Somerville
Official seal of Somerville, Massachusetts
Motto: 
"Municipal Freedom Gives National Strength"
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Somerville is located in Massachusetts
Somerville
Somerville
Location in the United States
Somerville is located in the United States
Somerville
Somerville
Somerville (the United States)
Coordinates: 42°23′15″N 71°06′00″W / 42.38750°N 71.10000°W / 42.38750; -71.10000
Country United States
State Massachusetts
CountyMiddlesex
RegionNew England
Settled1629
Purchased1639
Incorporated (town)1842
Incorporated (city)1872
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorKatjana Ballantyne (D)
Area
 • Total4.22 sq mi (10.94 km2)
 • Land4.12 sq mi (10.68 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
12 ft (4 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total81,045
 • Density19,652.04/sq mi (7,588.17/km2)
Demonym(s)Somervillian, Villen[2]
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
02143–02145
Area code617 / 857
FIPS code25-62535
GNIS ID0612815
Websitesomervillema.gov

Somerville (/ˈsʌmərvɪl/ SUM-ər-vil) is a city located directly to the northwest of Boston, and north of Cambridge, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a total population of 81,045 people. With an area of 4.12 square miles (10.7 km2), the city has a density of 19,671/sq mi (7,595/km2), making it the most densely populated municipality in New England and the 19th most densely populated incorporated municipality in the country. Somerville was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from Charlestown. In 2006, the city was named the best-run city in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe.[3] In 1972, 2009, and 2015, the city received the All-America City Award.[4][5] It is home to Tufts University, which has its campus along the Somerville and Medford border.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Jimmy Del Ponte (May 3, 2014). "Are you a Villen?". Somerville Times. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  3. ^ Keane, Thomas M. Jr. (May 14, 2006). "The Model City". Boston.com. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Somerville Named All America City". City of Somerville. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "2015 AAC Winners". National Civic League. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.