Bedford, Massachusetts
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Bedford is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 12,595.
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History
Bedford was first settled in 1640 and was officially incorporated in 1729.
Bedford's flag (still on display at the Bedford Public Library) is the oldest complete flag known to exist in the United States. It is celebrated for having been the first U.S. flag flown during the Revolutionary War, as it is believed to have been carried by Nathaniel Page's outfit of Minutemen to the Concord Bridge for the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
Government
The town is one of the few in Massachusetts that still uses an open town meeting as its legislature. The executive branch consists of a Board of Selectmen who oversee a town Administrator (see also: Council-manager government).
Schools
Bedford's school system consists of four buildings: Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary (K-2), Lt. Job Lane Elementary (3-5), John Glenn Middle School (6-8), and Bedford High School (9-12). Some students from Hanscom Air Force Base, which is partially located in Bedford, join Bedford residents at Bedford High for 9th grade and beyond.
The high school mascot is the Buccaneer and the team colors are blue and white. Bedford's school sports teams compete in the Dual County League.
See also: www.bedford.k12.ma.us
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.9 km² (13.9 mi²). 35.6 km² (13.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.94% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 12,595 people, 4,621 households, and 3,419 families residing in the town. The population density is 353.9/km² (916.7/mi²). There are 4,708 housing units at an average density of 132.3/km² (342.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 91.19% White, 1.65% African American, 0.22% Native American, 5.40% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,621 households out of which 34.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% are married couples living together, 7.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% are non-families. 21.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.04.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $87,962, and the median income for a family is $101,081. Males have a median income of $65,697 versus $45,181 for females. The per capita income for the town is $39,212. 2.5% of the population and 1.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.1% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Transportation
Bedford is located slightly northwest of the intersection of I-95 (also known as MA-128) and MA-4/MA-225 (which actually cross in Lexington). Nearby highways include MA-3 and MA-62. It is serviced by the 62 and 62/76 lines of the MBTA's bus service. Bedford is also served by the Hanscom Field civilian airport, which is located at Hanscom Air Force Base.
External links
- Bedford official website (http://www.town.bedford.ma.us/)
- Hanscom Air Force Base official website (http://www.hanscom.af.mil/)