Upton, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Upton, Massachusetts
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Upton Town Hall
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Location in Worcester County and Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Massachusetts | ||
| County | Worcester | ||
| Settled | 1728 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Open town meeting | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 21.7 sq mi (56.3 km2) | ||
| • Land | 21.5 sq mi (55.7 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 301 ft (92 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,000 | ||
| • Density | 368.7/sq mi (142.1/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | ||
| ZIP code |
01568, 01757
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | ||
| FIPS code | 25-71480 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0618386 | ||
| Website | www.uptonma.gov/ | ||
Upton is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It was first settled by people in 1728. According to the 2020 census, about 8,000 people live there.
Contents
History of Upton
Upton was originally the home of the Nipmuc people. They lived in most of central Massachusetts. The town was first settled by European people in 1728.
People living in areas around Upton found it hard to go to church every Sunday. So, they asked the state to create a new town closer to their homes. In 1735, Upton officially became a town. It was formed using land from nearby towns like Hopkinton, Mendon, Uxbridge, and Sutton.
Famous People from Upton
Upton was home to several members of the Taft family. One famous person was Samuel Taft, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. He was born in Upton and had 22 children.
Samuel Taft even hosted President George Washington in 1789. This was during Washington's first trip around New England. Another important person born here was Judge Henry Chapin in 1811. He was a historian and served as mayor of Worcester three times.
Upton's Industries
From 1730 to 1850, Upton had many small shoe shops. These were called "ten-footers" because of their size. Over time, these small shops joined together to form larger factories. By 1837, Upton made a lot of the boots in Worcester County.
William Knowlton started a company that became the world's largest women's hat factory. The Knowlton Hat Factory was built in 1872. It was later added to the National Historic Register in 1982.
The Upton Fire Department started on April 9, 1839. It has been helping the town and its residents for over 175 years.
Modern Development
In 2018, the town began a project to improve its downtown area. This project is expected to take about ten years. It involves working with both public and private groups. A new community center is a main part of this plan.
Geography of Upton
Upton covers a total area of about 21.7 square miles (56.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 21.5 square miles (55.7 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers), is water.
The northwestern part of Upton is known as Forest Green by local people. This area has beautiful rolling hills that you can see from Fowler Street and Mechanic Street.
Towns Near Upton
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Grafton | Westborough | Hopkinton | |
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Milford | |||
 Upton  |
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| Northbridge | Mendon | Hopedale |
Population Information
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Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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In 2020, the population of Upton was 8,000 people. Most people living in Upton are White (87.5%). There are also people who identify as Black, Asian, American Indian, Pacific Islander, or from other backgrounds. About 3.5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
There are 2,910 households in Upton. About 35.5% of these households have children under 18 years old. The average age of people in Upton is 43.5 years. Slightly more than half of the population (50.4%) is female.
Community Center
The Upton Town Library started in March 1871. Until 2023, it was in a converted church downtown.
After 20 years of planning, a new Upton Community Center opened on May 1, 2023. It cost $12 million and was approved by the town. This new center has a new library, a senior center, a renovated playground for children, and many meeting and study rooms.
Education in Upton
Public Schools
Upton is part of the Mendon-Upton Regional School District. This district includes Memorial Elementary School and Nipmuc Regional High School.
Vocational Technical High School
Students can also attend Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. This school teaches trades and skills. It is open to students from Upton and several nearby towns. These towns include Northbridge, Grafton, Bellingham, Uxbridge, Millville, Sutton, Milford, Hopedale, Blackstone, Douglas, and Mendon.
Notable People
- Samuel Taft – A soldier in the American Revolutionary War who was born in Upton. He hosted President George Washington.
- Arthur Newton – A well-known athlete.
Images for kids
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Plan of Upton in 1888
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Knowlton hat factory plan
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1851 survey map showing districts
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Nipmuc Regional High School
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Nipmuc Regional High School logo
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Upton House of Pizza, in the town center
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See also
In Spanish: Upton (Massachusetts) para niños
