Somerville is a two-time winner of the All-America City Award. It is located in Middlesex, the largest county in Massachusetts. Middlesex also offers the highest number of employment in Massachusetts (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010). With a total area of 4.12 square miles, Somerville has a population of 75,754 (as of census 2010).
There are more than 10,000 housing units in Somerville. These include condos, single-family homes, two-family homes, three- family homes, buildings with 4 or more units and mixed-use buildings (US Federal Census). The most common type of housing in Somerville is the two-family home.
Somerville Attractions
Somerville Community Path
Somerville Community Path, which connects Minuteman Bikeway, Fitchburg Cutoff Park, Cambridge Linear Park, Charles River Bike Path and downtown Boston, is a project currently underway. Once completed, the project will connect Arlington, Belmond, Somerville, Cambridge and Boston. The half-mile long pavement is surrounded by greenery where both pedestrians and cyclists are able to appreciate nature. The pathway is lighted at night at plowed in the winter.
Seven Hills Park
The Seven Hills Park is located behind Davis Square on Holland Avenue. There are seven hills in Somerville; Central Hill, Clarendon Hill, Cobble Hill, Plowed (Ploughed) Hill, Prospect Hill, Spring Hill and Winter Hill. Each of these hills is represented by a pole, topped with a figure which symbolizes something from the hill’s past. The history of these hills are written on plaques at the base of the poles.
Other Attractions
Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant
Washington Street Art Center
Peter and Oliver Tufts House
Sacco’s Bowl Haven
Nathan Tufts Park/Old Powderhouse
Libraries, 63 parks and playing fields, large restaurants and taverns
Somerville Culture
One of the prestigious universities, Tufts University is located in Somerville. Tufts University is known as the “New Ivy” and it is one of the highly selective colleges in the country.
Somerville is also known for its arts community. Somerville Arts Council and the Brickbottom Artists Association sponsor programs such as festivals, exhibitions and concerts. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is only a 20-minute walk from Somerville. The ArtBeat Festival is a weekend-long event held every summer. Besides Somerville Theatre and Somerville Museum, there are also a few art studios in Somerville.
Transportation in Somerville
There are buses in the city that connect to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line, Red Line and Green Line subway stations. The MBTA Commuter Rail is also the fifth-busiest rail transit in the country. It runs at certain parts of Somerville; namely Davis Square, Sullivan Square and Porter Square.
The Logan International Airport is located 14 minutes away from Somerville.
Somerville Demographics
According to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Somerville was as follows:
White: 76.5%
Black or African American: 5.4%
Asian: 8.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.2%
Some other race: 6.8%
Two or more races: 2.0%
Hispanic and Latino: 9.3%
Non-Hispanic Whites: 69.1%, Native American: 0.3% (U.S. Census Bureau)