Braintree, Massachusetts

Braintree (US: /ˈbreɪnˌtri/), officially the Town of Braintree, is a municipality in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town,[6] Braintree is a city, with a mayor-council form of government, and is considered a city under Massachusetts law.[7] The population was 39,143 at the 2020 census.[8] The city is part of the Greater Boston area with access to the MBTA Red Line, and is a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's South Shore Coalition.[9] The first mayor of Braintree was Joe Sullivan who served until January 2020. The current mayor of Braintree is Charles Kokoros.[10][11]

This article is about the city in Massachusetts. For the English town, see Braintree, Essex. For the Vermont town, see Braintree, Vermont. For other uses, see Braintree (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with New Braintree, Massachusetts.

Braintree, Massachusetts
City
Town of Braintree
Braintree Town Hall in 2009
Braintree Town Hall in 2009
Flag of Braintree, Massachusetts
Flag
Official seal of Braintree, Massachusetts
Seal
Location of Braintree in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Location of Braintree in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Braintree, Massachusetts is located in the United States
Braintree, Massachusetts
Braintree, Massachusetts
Location of Braintree in the United States
Coordinates: 42.206°N 71.005°W / 42.206; -71.005
Country United States
State Massachusetts
CountyNorfolk
Settled1625 (1625)[1]
Colonized1635 (1635)[2]
Incorporated (town)1640 (1640)[3]
Incorporated (city)2007 (2007)[4]
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorCharles Kokoros (I)
Area
[5]
 • Total14.56 sq mi (37.72 km2)
 • Land13.76 sq mi (35.64 km2)
 • Water0.80 sq mi (2.08 km2)
Elevation
90 ft (27 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total39,143
 • Density2,844.28/sq mi (1,098.16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
02184/02185 (Braintree Highlands)
Area code339 / 781
FIPS code25-07740, 25-07665
GNIS feature ID0618316
Websitewww.braintreema.gov

Braintree, Massachusetts, is named after Braintree, Essex, in England. The town was first chartered in 1640. Later, some sections of Braintree formed separate municipalities: Quincy (1792), Randolph (1793), and Holbrook (1872).

History

Braintree was colonized in 1635 and incorporated in 1640.[3] The town is named after the Essex town of Braintree. Its boundaries initially were larger, but some portions were split into the municipalities of Quincy (incorporated in 1792), Randolph (1793), and Holbrook (1872).[12] Braintree was part of Suffolk County until the formation of Norfolk County in 1793.[13]

In 1888, the villages of Braintree and South Braintree were separate communities within the town of Braintree.[14]

In 1920, Braintree was the site of the murders that led to the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. During that same decade, the town's population grew by more than 50%.[15]

Geography

Braintree shares borders with Quincy to the north, Randolph to the west (separated by the Cochato River), Holbrook to the south, and Weymouth to the east.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km2), of which 13.9 square miles (36.0 km2) is land and 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) is water. The total area is 4.34% water

Park and recreation locations in Braintree include Pond Meadow Park, Sunset Lake, and Blue Hills Reservation.

Climate

Braintree has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with some maritime influence. Summers are typically warm to hot, rainy, and humid, while winters oscillate between periods of cold rain and snow, with cold temperatures. Spring and fall are usually mild, with varying conditions dependent on wind direction and jet stream positioning. Prevailing wind patterns that blow offshore minimize the influence of the Atlantic Ocean.

The hottest month is July, with a mean temperature of 69.7 °F (20.9 °C). The coldest month is January, with a mean of 25.7 °F (−3.5 °C). Periods exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) in summer and below freezing in winter are not uncommon but are rarely extended, with about 13 and 25 days per year seeing each, respectively. The city's average window for freezing temperatures is November 9 through April 5. Official temperature records have ranged from −21 °F (−29 °C) in February 1934, up to 101 °F (38 °C) in August 1949 and 1974.

Braintree's coastal location on the North Atlantic moderates its temperature, but makes the city very prone to nor'easter weather systems that can produce much snow and rain. The city averages 48.63 inches (1,240 mm) of precipitation a year, with 61.1 inches (155 cm) of snowfall per season. Snowfall increases dramatically as one goes inland away from the city (especially north and west of the city)—away from the moderating influence of the ocean.

Most snowfall occurs from December through March, as most years see no measurable snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October. There is also high year-to-year variability in snowfall; for instance, the winter of 2011−2012 saw only 24.2 in (61.5 cm) of accumulating snow, but in the winter of 2014–2015, the figure was 150.8 in (383 cm).

Fog is fairly common, particularly in spring and early summer, and the occasional tropical storm or hurricane can threaten the region, especially in late summer and early autumn. The last such storm to impact the city was Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Due to its situation along the North Atlantic, the city is often subjected to sea breezes, especially in the late spring, when water temperatures are still quite cold and temperatures at the coast can be more than 20 °F (11 °C) colder than locations a few miles inland, sometimes dropping by that amount near midday.

Thunderstorms occur from May to September and are occasionally severe, with large hail, damaging winds and heavy downpours. Although Braintree has never been struck by a violent tornado, the city has experienced many tornado warnings. Damaging storms are more common in areas north, west, and northwest of the city.

Climate data for Blue Hills Reservation (Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory), 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1893−present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 68
(20)		 71
(22)		 89
(32)		 94
(34)		 96
(36)		 99
(37)		 100
(38)		 101
(38)		 99
(37)		 88
(31)		 81
(27)		 74
(23)		 101
(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 56.6
(13.7)		 56.9
(13.8)		 65.6
(18.7)		 79.4
(26.3)		 87.3
(30.7)		 90.0
(32.2)		 92.9
(33.8)		 91.3
(32.9)		 86.9
(30.5)		 77.6
(25.3)		 68.4
(20.2)		 60.0
(15.6)		 94.7
(34.8)
Average high °F (°C) 34.7
(1.5)		 37.0
(2.8)		 44.1
(6.7)		 56.3
(13.5)		 66.8
(19.3)		 75.4
(24.1)		 81.7
(27.6)		 80.2
(26.8)		 72.7
(22.6)		 61.0
(16.1)		 50.1
(10.1)		 40.2
(4.6)		 58.4
(14.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 26.5
(−3.1)		 28.2
(−2.1)		 35.5
(1.9)		 47.1
(8.4)		 58.5
(14.7)		 66.5
(19.2)		 72.7
(22.6)		 71.4
(21.9)		 64.2
(17.9)		 52.5
(11.4)		 42.0
(5.6)		 32.5
(0.3)		 49.8
(9.9)
Average low °F (°C) 18.3
(−7.6)		 19.5
(−6.9)		 26.9
(−2.8)		 37.9
(3.3)		 48.2
(9.0)		 57.6
(14.2)		 63.8
(17.7)		 62.6
(17.0)		 55.6
(13.1)		 44.0
(6.7)		 33.8
(1.0)		 24.9
(−3.9)		 41.1
(5.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 0.0
(−17.8)		 3.1
(−16.1)		 10.1
(−12.2)		 26.7
(−2.9)		 37.5
(3.1)		 45.9
(7.7)		 54.9
(12.7)		 53.4
(11.9)		 42.3
(5.7)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 19.6
(−6.9)		 8.7
(−12.9)		 −2.5
(−19.2)
Record low °F (°C) −14
(−26)		 −21
(−29)		 −5
(−21)		 6
(−14)		 27
(−3)		 36
(2)		 44
(7)		 39
(4)		 28
(−2)		 21
(−6)		 5
(−15)		 −19
(−28)		 −21
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.50
(114)		 4.00
(102)		 5.52
(140)		 4.76
(121)		 3.82
(97)		 4.63
(118)		 3.47
(88)		 3.91
(99)		 4.06
(103)		 5.49
(139)		 4.31
(109)		 5.39
(137)		 53.86
(1,367)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 18.6
(47)		 18.2
(46)		 15.0
(38)		 2.8
(7.1)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.7
(1.8)		 1.8
(4.6)		 12.6
(32)		 69.7
(176.5)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 10.6
(27)		 11.5
(29)		 9.8
(25)		 2.6
(6.6)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.3
(0.76)		 1.3
(3.3)		 7.7
(20)		 17.1
(43)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 13.2 11.3 12.5 12.5 13.0 12.1 10.5 10.2 9.2 11.5 10.9 12.6 139.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.1 7.1 5.7 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 1.3 5.3 29.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 132.1 146.7 174.0 185.6 220.2 231.8 258.1 242.5 204.1 182.1 133.3 125.9 2,236.4
Percent possible sunshine 46.3 50.9 48.5 47.9 50.4 52.7 58.0 58.7 56.7 55.1 47.0 45.9 51.5
Source: NOAA, BHO[16][17]

Demographics
See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18001,285—    
18101,351+5.1%
18201,466+8.5%
18301,758+19.9%
18402,168+23.3%
18502,969+36.9%
18603,468+16.8%
18703,948+13.8%
18803,855−2.4%
18904,848+25.8%
19005,981+23.4%
19108,066+34.9%
192010,580+31.2%
193015,712+48.5%
194016,378+4.2%
195023,161+41.4%
196031,069+34.1%
197035,050+12.8%
198036,337+3.7%
199033,836−6.9%
200033,828−0.0%
201035,744+5.7%
202039,143+9.5%
* = population estimate.
Source: United States census records and Population Estimates Program data.[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[28][29]

As of the census[30] of 2000, there were 33,828 people, 12,652 households, and 8,907 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,434.4 inhabitants per square mile (939.9/km2). There were 12,973 housing units at an average density of 933.6 per square mile (360.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 93.96% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.16% of the population. More than 46% of town residents had Irish ancestry. As of 2014 Braintree had the 2nd highest concentration of Irish Americans in the entire country, slightly behind Scituate, Massachusetts.[31]

There were 12,652 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $85,590, and the median income for a family was $90,590 as of a 2007 estimate[32]). Males had a median income of $89,607 versus $36,034 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,683. About 2.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Thayer Public Library

Braintree is home to several large companies, including Altra Industrial Motion, Greater Media, Haemonetics, and TopSource LLC.

From 1964 to 1991, Braintree was the location of the largest Valle's Steak House in the restaurant chain.[33] One of the chain's busiest locations, it was capable of serving over 5,000 customers per day.[34] In 1980, then presidential candidate Ronald Reagan made a campaign speech at a South Shore Chamber of Commerce luncheon held there.[35]

Arts and culture

Points of interest
General Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace

Education

Braintree is home to various educational institutions, both private and public.

Public primary and secondary education

Public education at the primary and secondary levels is managed by Braintree Public Schools (BPS), a system that includes one kindergarten center, six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

Public high school

Public middle schools

Public elementary schools

Private and alternative education

Private and alternative education institutions in Braintree include Thayer Academy, Archbishop Williams High School, and CATS Academy.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Braintree is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate 95 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.

Sunset Lake provides recreational opportunities for residents. The steeple in the background is part of the South Congregational Church.

Principal highways in Braintree are Interstate 93 (which runs concurrently with U.S. 1) and Route 3, as well as 37, and 53. Entering Braintree from the north, I-93, Route 1, and Route 3 all run concurrently as the Southeast Expressway from Boston; in Braintree they diverge, with Route 3 heading south toward Cape Cod as the Pilgrims Highway, and I-93 and Route 1 heading west toward Route 128.

Commuter rail service to South Station, Boston, is available on the Middleboro & Plymouth lines from the Braintree Red Line/Commuter Rail Station located on Union Street. The CapeFLYER rail service from Boston to Hyannis as well as Buzzards Bay stations also stops at Braintree Station. The MBTA Red Line is accessible at the same location. Weekday rail service on the Greenbush Line started in late 2007 and is accessible from the Weymouth Landing/East Braintree station on Quincy Avenue. In July 2017, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and other Baker administration transportation officials visited a construction project in the city to highlight $2.8 billion spent during Baker's administration on highway construction projects and improvements to bridges, intersections, and sidewalks.[36][37] Freight Rail service is provided by Fore River Transportation Corporation, and CSX Transportation.

From 1948 to 1968, the town was the home of Braintree Airport, a general aviation airport located near Great Pond that was used by civil defense officials and private pilots. The airport featured a 2,800-foot (850 m) dirt runway and offered flight training. Residential development, proximity to the town's water supply, and a number of accidents led to its closure in 1968.[38][39]

Water and Sewer

In 2020, Braintree, together with Randolph, and Holbrook, formed a regional drinking water supply agency, which is called the Tri-Town Water Board. Braintree operates its own water treatment plant while a second treatment plant serves the Randolph-Holbrook Joint Water Board.[40]

Notable people

Filming locations

References
  1. "Braintree Historical Society". Braintree Historical Society. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  2. "Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree". Town of Braintree. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2015. Braintree was founded on land first colonized in 1625 by Captain Wollaston, and initially named Mount Wollaston.
  3. "Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree". Town of Braintree. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2015. Incorporated in 1640, Braintree has a rich history and a promising future.
  4. Lambert, Lane (May 28, 2015). "After 367 years, Braintree town government made a dramatic change". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  6. "Braintree, MA | Official Website". braintreema.gov.
  7. Braintree Town Charter Archived September 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine and MGL 39: City and town forms of government Archived November 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Census - Geography Profile: Braintree Town city, Norfolk County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  9. "MAPC South Shore Coalition". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  10. "The Patriot Ledger, 1/3/2008".
  11. "Town of Braintree Massachusetts: Mayor". Town of Braintree. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015. In November 2007, Joe Sullivan was elected as the first Mayor of Braintree and in November 2011, he was re-elected.
  12. "Town of Braintree Massachusetts: About Braintree". Town of Braintree. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2015. The area was resettled and incorporated as the town of Braintree in 1640, on land which is now part of the current town of Braintree, from which Randolph, Holbrook, the City of Quincy.
  13. Davis, William T. Bench and Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, p. 44. The Boston History Company, 1895.
  14. Map of the Villages of Braintree and South Braintree. Plate 22. 1888 Atlas of Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Accessed 9 June 2023.
  15. Schaeffer, K. H. and Elliott Sclar. Access for All: Transportation and Urban Growth. Columbia University Press, 1980. Accessed on Google Books. 86. Retrieved on January 16, 2010. ISBN 0-231-05165-4, ISBN 978-0-231-05165-1.
  16. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Blue Hill COOP, MA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  17. "Blue Hill Observatory daily sunshine data". Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  18. "Total Population (P1), 2010 Census Summary File 1". American FactFinder, All County Subdivisions within Massachusetts. United States Census Bureau. 2010.
  19. "Massachusetts by Place and County Subdivision - GCT-T1. Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  20. "1990 Census of Population, General Population Characteristics: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1990. Table 76: General Characteristics of Persons, Households, and Families: 1990. 1990 CP-1-23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  21. "1980 Census of the Population, Number of Inhabitants: Massachusetts" (PDF). US Census Bureau. December 1981. Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions: 1960 to 1980. PC80-1-A23. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  22. "1950 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. 1952. Section 6, Pages 21-10 and 21-11, Massachusetts Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1930 to 1950. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  23. "1920 Census of Population" (PDF). Bureau of the Census. Number of Inhabitants, by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions. Pages 21-5 through 21-7. Massachusetts Table 2. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions: 1920, 1910, and 1920. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  24. "1890 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. Pages 179 through 182. Massachusetts Table 5. Population of States and Territories by Minor Civil Divisions: 1880 and 1890. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  25. "1870 Census of the Population" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1872. Pages 217 through 220. Table IX. Population of Minor Civil Divisions, &c. Massachusetts. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  26. "1860 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1864. Pages 220 through 226. State of Massachusetts Table No. 3. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  27. "1850 Census" (PDF). Department of the Interior, Census Office. 1854. Pages 338 through 393. Populations of Cities, Towns, &c. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  28. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  29. "A Look at Braintree's Population History". Braintree, MA Patch. May 29, 2011. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  30. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  31. "Braintree Among Most Irish Towns in State". Braintree, MA Patch. March 18, 2013. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  32. "American FactFinder - Community Facts". Factfinder.census.gov. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  33. "Largest Valle's Opens in Braintree" (May 8, 1964) The Boston Globe page A4
  34. Value, John B. (February 2, 1965) "They All Stay Trim Keeping Others Fed" The Boston Globe, page 21
  35. Tuoti, Gerard (June 11, 2004) "Ronald Reagan 1911-2004" The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass), page 10.
  36. Whitfill, Mary (July 20, 2017). "Gov. Baker visits Braintree bridge construction site". The Patriot Ledger. GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  37. "Baker-Polito Administration Highlights 90 Road and Bridge Projects Across 61 Northeast Massachusetts Communities". www.mass.gov. July 18, 2017. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  38. Markman, Joseph (September 20, 2011) "Braintree's Expansion and Dangerous Flights Proved too Much for Old Airport" Braintree Patch. Retrieved November 4, 2013 Archived November 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  39. Freeman, Paul "Braintree Airport, Braintree, Mass." Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields. Retrieved November 6, 2013 "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Massachusetts: Southeastern Boston area". Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  40. "Tri-Town Board of Water Commissioners". Town of Braintree. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  41. Johnson, John. "Braintree's Adam Gaudette a spark for surging Northeastern hockey team". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  42. "Dynamic duo - Braintree, MA - Braintree Forum". Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  43. Philbrick, Nathaniel (2013). Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution. New York, New York: Viking. p. 274. ISBN 978-0-670-02544-2. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  44. The Pulse Network – Executive Team
  45. Lanson, Jerry; Fought, Barbara Croll (January 14, 1999). News in a New Century: Reporting in An Age of Converging Media - Jerry Lanson, Barbara Croll Fought - Google Books. ISBN 9780761985068. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  46. ""Donnie Wahlberg: Biography" The New York Times". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
  47. "Bennetts, Leslie "Rogue Star" (August 2001) Vanity Fair". Vanity Fair. February 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  48. "Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970) - Trivia". IMDb. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  49. Dennis Tatz (May 15, 2008). "Scenes for upcoming movie being filmed at Braintree mall". Braintree, Massachusetts: MetroWest Daily News. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  50. "Braintree American Fun Facts". 9/10 Eastern Region Baseball Tournament. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  51. "Jake Gyllenhaal film "Stronger" shooting scenes around Braintree". Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  • Dennehy, John A. "Images of America: Braintree." Arcadia Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7385-7247-5
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Braintree, Massachusetts.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Braintree (Massachusetts).
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Braintree (Massachusetts)".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.