Natick, Massachusetts

Part of the Greater Boston Area in the Middlesex County of the US State of Massachusets, Natick is a mid-sized town with Indian origins. It started as a Praying Town in the 1600s and has flourished in terms of industry and commerce since then. Due to it being a small town, Natick is divided into multiple defined neighborhoods, which are sections of tract home development from the mid-1900s. That being said, no matter where you are, the town always has something fun to do, whether it is spending time in the impressive Natick Mall or taking a peaceful stroll in one of the many parks.

Geography Of Natick

The town of Natick covers a total area of 41 sq. km, out of which more than 90% consists of land area. The remaining water area is split primarily between Lake Cochituate, Fisk Pond, and Dug Pond, which are located throughout central Natick all the way to the town’s northern border with Wayland. Due to this spread of water bodies, Natick has an abundance of green areas that are used as trails and parks across the entire central and northern town area. Natick’s average elevation is 181 feet which puts it much closer to sea level than many of the bordering regions within the state of Massachusets. This picturesque small town is located approximately 16km west of Boston. 

Located about 20 kilometers from the North Atlantic Ocean, Natick experiences a humid continental climate according to the Koppen Climate Classification. This means that the town is quite cold during winters with a temperate climate throughout the year. The temperature ranges from highs of 28°C in July to the lowest being -7°C during January. Also, with an average cloud cover throughout the year, Natick maintains a somewhat pleasant climate all year round. The annual precipitation in Natick is approximately 48.4 inches which is spread across an average of 127 days a year. This puts it much higher than the national average, with a surprising 20 more days of rainfall annually. Similarly, the town’s cold winters also add to the snowfall as it gets a significant 26.8 inches of snow per year.

Brief History Of Natick

Natick is a town with a vast history that spans thousands of years. The region was said to be a permanent and seasonal homestead for many Native American tribes due to its vicinity to the coast. That being said, its official settlement began in 1651, when John Eliot, a Puritan missionary, declared it his first Praying India settlement. Thus, under the Puritan guidance, the land then served as a center for Massachusett Indians for several decades with little development or expansion. Sometime after, in November 1675, King Philip's War began, which led to the Natick Indians being moved to Deer Islands, throughout which many lost their lives to sickness and freezing cold. This loss was quite immense, and by the time they returned, the settlement was dwindling in numbers which were further hit by battles that took place in Lexington, Buker Hill, and other nearby areas. While the 1700s saw little change in the region, it was in 1781 that US senator Henry Wilson incorporated Natick as a town that began its rapid development. Starting off as a farming town, the entire 1800s saw a flock of shoe factories and other companies flood in, with the total reaching 23 operating factories at one point. With continuous growth, the city became one of the nation's top shoe producers until 1874, when a massive fire burned down multiple business blocks, homes, and shoe factories. Thankfully, it has since recovered and is now home to thousands of residents with a mix of residential and industrial cultures.

The Population And Economy Of Natick

As per the most recent US Census, Natick has a population of 37,056 inhabitants. Throughout the population, the median age is 38 years, with the majority of individuals being females. As for racial backgrounds, the town’s inhabitants are split primarily into White, who make up 79.6%, followed by Asians, who consist up 14.2% of the total. Apart from that, communities such as African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians, make up approximately 6% of Natick’s population. In terms of population density, Natick has 946.4 individuals per sq. km, which is much higher than the state average. This is primarily because the town is within the Greater Boston Area, due to which it is more population-dense than most of the state. The median household income in Natick is $115,625, with an average house value of more than $600,000. This makes it one of the more expensive towns in the country, but even so, less than 4% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Attractions In Natick

The Natick Mall

One of the prime attractions in the city of Natick, the Natick Mall is a large shopping mall located on Worcester Street. The mall covers a large 1,860,000 sq. feet of gross leasable area and is ranked the largest mall in New England. With so much to offer, you can spend your entire day shopping, eating at the food court, or just roaming around this expansive shopping complex.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary is an expansive green retreat along the Charles River in Natick. It is home to more than 175 species of birds and hundreds of other animals and insects. Along with this, the trail is well-groomed throughout the entire 9-mile expanse making it the perfect place to spend a relaxing evening in this peaceful town.

Natick History Museum

Taking a delve into the English and Native American history of Natick, the Natick History Museum offers a wide array of historical items for tourists to check out. Along with this, the museum also houses the Natick Library Society making it an ideal place to read up on local history or whatever you might find in the impressive library.