The Town of Billerica is located 20 miles northwest of Boston and borders
Lowell to the south. Incorporated in 1655, the town remained predominately
agricultural until the mid-nineteenth century when a major mill complex was
sited on the Concord River in North Billerica. Although a number of
smaller industries grew up over the next 100 years, it wasn’t until the
1950′s that the present day industrial base was established. Today
Billerica is a major regional employer and home to several high technology
firms, many of which are offshoots of companies along Route 128 to the
south.
Currently Billerica has close to 40,000 residents, having grown rapidly
from 10,000 residents in 1950. The majority of homes are located within
residential subdivisions, although significant older neighborhoods exist in
the town center, North Billerica, Pinehurst and Nutting Lake.
The town is within minutes of Route 3 and Route 495, both major limited
access highways. The town has bus and train service provided by the Lowell
Regional Transit Authority and the MBTA at North Billerica. The remnants
of the historic Middlesex Canal, an outmoded mode of transport, traverse
the town north to south.
Two rivers pass through town. The Concord River is a major regional water
feature while the Shawsheen River meanders through the southerly part of
town.
Billerica is also the site of the Middlesex House of Correction, a
significant town employer.
Even though much of Billerica has been developed, there are still
significant parcels of vacant land which lend a certain rural character to
many areas of town.
Lowell to the south. Incorporated in 1655, the town remained predominately
agricultural until the mid-nineteenth century when a major mill complex was
sited on the Concord River in North Billerica. Although a number of
smaller industries grew up over the next 100 years, it wasn’t until the
1950′s that the present day industrial base was established. Today
Billerica is a major regional employer and home to several high technology
firms, many of which are offshoots of companies along Route 128 to the
south.
Currently Billerica has close to 40,000 residents, having grown rapidly
from 10,000 residents in 1950. The majority of homes are located within
residential subdivisions, although significant older neighborhoods exist in
the town center, North Billerica, Pinehurst and Nutting Lake.
The town is within minutes of Route 3 and Route 495, both major limited
access highways. The town has bus and train service provided by the Lowell
Regional Transit Authority and the MBTA at North Billerica. The remnants
of the historic Middlesex Canal, an outmoded mode of transport, traverse
the town north to south.
Two rivers pass through town. The Concord River is a major regional water
feature while the Shawsheen River meanders through the southerly part of
town.
Billerica is also the site of the Middlesex House of Correction, a
significant town employer.
Even though much of Billerica has been developed, there are still
significant parcels of vacant land which lend a certain rural character to
many areas of town.
