About the Town of Lexington
Facts & Stats
The Town is located 11 miles northwest of Boston and is bordered by eight other cities and towns:
- Lincoln on the southwest
- Bedford on the northwest
- Burlington on the northeast
- Woburn, Winchester, and Arlington on the east
- Belmont and Waltham on the south
Current Statistics About Lexington
(from census.gov)
- Land area 16.4 square miles
- Approximately 63% of the land in town is in private ownership
- Approximately 12% of the land is permanently set aside as publicly held conservation land
- Population 34,454
- Approximately 11,600 households
- Median household income (in 2019 dollars) $186,201
Minuteman Statue on the Lexington Battle Green
Public Resources
Lexington provides a multitude of public resources for its residents:
- Cary Library, providing resources and programming for residents of all ages
- Excellent public transportation, with buses providing access to the Boston area MBTA
- Outstanding public schools
- Cary Memorial Building featuring Battin Hall, home to the Lexington Symphony and many other shows and events
- Lexington Community Center, with its dining room, fitness center, game rooms and meeting rooms for community groups
- Town Human Services Department, providing senior, veteran, and youth and family resources and services
- Town Recreation and Community Programs Department, managing the town pool and beach, and providing sports and leisure programming for children, teens and adults
A Snapshot of Lexington
Lexington was first settled in 1642 as a farming community that was part of Cambridge. It became the parish of Cambridge Farms in 1691, and was incorporated as a separate town in 1713. The town experienced rapid housing development after World War II with the growth of the Boston urban area and the decline of agriculture.
While the town is primarily residential, a number of industries and commercial establishments employ more than 16,000 people in Lexington. Services and manufacturing are the two largest employment sectors. The major shopping area is the central business district. Lexington Center is a well-maintained area with retail stores, professional offices, banks, and restaurants.
Lexington has always been blessed with an active citizenry, and participation of new as well as long-term residents is always encouraged. Town government provides a variety of opportunities for community involvement.