List of municipalities in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a state located in the Northeastern United States. Municipalities in the state are classified as either towns or cities, distinguished by their form of government under state law. Towns have an open town meeting or representative town meeting form of government; cities, on the other hand, use a mayor-council or council-manager form. Based on the form of government, there are 294 towns and 57 cities in Massachusetts. Some municipalities, however, still refer to themselves as "towns" even though they have a city form of government.

Map of the United States with Massachusetts highlighted
Distribution of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts

The Census Bureau classifies towns in Massachusetts as a type of "minor civil division" and cities as a type of "populated place". However, from the perspective of Massachusetts law, politics, and geography, cities and towns are the same type of municipal unit, differing only in their form of government.

There is no unincorporated land in Massachusetts; the land area of the state is completely divided up among the 351 municipalities.

List of municipalities
  • Largest municipalities in Massachusetts by population
  • Skyline of Boston, largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
  • Downtown Worcester, Massachusetts's second largest municipality by population
  • Skyline of Springfield, third largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
  • Skyline of Lowell, fourth largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
  • Skyline of Cambridge, Massachusetts's fifth largest municipality by population
  • Downtown New Bedford, the sixth largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
  • City Hall in Brockton, Massachusetts seventh largest municipality by population
  • Downtown Quincy, eighth largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
  • Skyline of Lynn, ninth largest municipality by population in Massachusetts
Municipality Type[1] County[2] Form of government[1] Population
(2010)[2]		 Year
established[3]
AbingtonTownPlymouthOpen town meeting15,9851712
ActonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting21,9241735
AcushnetTownBristolOpen town meeting10,3031860
AdamsTownBerkshireRepresentative town meeting8,4851778
AgawamCity[4]HampdenMayor-council28,4381855
AlfordTownBerkshireOpen town meeting4941773
AmesburyCityEssexMayor-council16,2831668
AmherstCity[4] [5]HampshireCouncil-manager37,8191775
AndoverTownEssexOpen town meeting33,2011646
AquinnahTownDukesOpen town meeting3111870
ArlingtonTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting42,8441807
AshburnhamTownWorcesterOpen town meeting6,0811765
AshbyTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting3,0741767
AshfieldTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,7371765
AshlandTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting16,5931846
AtholTownWorcesterOpen town meeting11,5841762
AttleboroCityBristolMayor-council43,5931694
AuburnTownWorcesterRepresentative town meeting16,1881778
AvonTownNorfolkOpen town meeting4,3561888
AyerTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting7,4271871
BarnstableCity[4]BarnstableCouncil-manager45,1931639
BarreTownWorcesterOpen town meeting5,3981774
BecketTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,7791765
BedfordTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting13,3201729
BelchertownTownHampshireOpen town meeting14,6491761
BellinghamTownNorfolkOpen town meeting16,3321719
BelmontTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting24,7291859
BerkleyTownBristolOpen town meeting6,4111735
BerlinTownWorcesterOpen town meeting2,8661812
BernardstonTownFranklinOpen town meeting2,1291762
BeverlyCityEssexMayor-council39,5021668
BillericaTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting40,2431655
BlackstoneTownWorcesterOpen town meeting9,0261845
BlandfordTownHampdenOpen town meeting1,2331741
BoltonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting4,8971738
BostonCitySuffolkMayor-council617,6601630
BourneTownBarnstableOpen town meeting19,7541884
BoxboroughTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting4,9961835
BoxfordTownEssexOpen town meeting7,9651685
BoylstonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting4,3551785
BraintreeCity[4]NorfolkMayor-council35,7441640
BrewsterTownBarnstableOpen town meeting9,8201803
BridgewaterCity[4]PlymouthCouncil-manager26,5631656
BrimfieldTownHampdenOpen town meeting3,6091731
BrocktonCityPlymouthMayor-council93,8101821
BrookfieldTownWorcesterOpen town meeting3,3901718
BrooklineTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting58,7321705
BucklandTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,9021779
BurlingtonTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting24,4981799
CambridgeCityMiddlesexMayor-manager-council105,1621636
CantonTownNorfolkOpen town meeting21,5611797
CarlisleTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting4,8521780
CarverTownPlymouthOpen town meeting11,5091790
CharlemontTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,2661765
CharltonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting12,9811755[6]
ChathamTownBarnstableOpen town meeting6,1251712
ChelmsfordTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting33,8021655
ChelseaCitySuffolkCouncil-manager35,1771739
CheshireTownBerkshireOpen town meeting3,2351793
ChesterTownHampdenOpen town meeting1,3371765
ChesterfieldTownHampshireOpen town meeting1,2221762
ChicopeeCityHampdenMayor-council55,2981848
ChilmarkTownDukesOpen town meeting8661714
ClarksburgTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,7021798
ClintonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting13,6061850
CohassetTownNorfolkOpen town meeting7,5421775
ColrainTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,6711761
ConcordTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting17,6681635
ConwayTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,8971775
CummingtonTownHampshireOpen town meeting8721779
DaltonTownBerkshireOpen town meeting6,7561784
DanversTownEssexRepresentative town meeting26,4931775
DartmouthTownBristolRepresentative town meeting34,0321664
DedhamTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting24,7291636
DeerfieldTownFranklinOpen town meeting5,1251677
DennisTownBarnstableOpen town meeting14,2071793
DightonTownBristolOpen town meeting7,0861712
DouglasTownWorcesterOpen town meeting8,4711775
DoverTownNorfolkOpen town meeting5,5891836
DracutTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting29,4571701
DudleyTownWorcesterOpen town meeting11,3901732
DunstableTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting3,1791673
DuxburyTownPlymouthOpen town meeting15,0591637
East BridgewaterTownPlymouthOpen town meeting13,7941823
East BrookfieldTownWorcesterOpen town meeting2,1831920
East LongmeadowCityHampdenManager-Council15,7201894
EasthamTownBarnstableOpen town meeting4,9561646
EasthamptonCityHampshireMayor-council16,0531809
EastonTownBristolOpen town meeting23,1121725
EdgartownTownDukesOpen town meeting4,0671671
EgremontTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,2251775
ErvingTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,8001838
EssexTownEssexOpen town meeting3,5041819
EverettCityMiddlesexMayor-council41,6671870
FairhavenTownBristolRepresentative town meeting15,8731812
Fall RiverCityBristolMayor-council88,8571803
FalmouthTownBarnstableRepresentative town meeting31,5311686
FitchburgCityWorcesterMayor-council40,3181764
FloridaTownBerkshireOpen town meeting7521805
FoxboroughTownNorfolkOpen town meeting16,8651778
FraminghamCityMiddlesexMayor-council68,3181700
FranklinCity[4]NorfolkCouncil-administrator31,6351778
FreetownTownBristolOpen town meeting8,8701683
GardnerCityWorcesterMayor-council20,2281785
GeorgetownTownEssexOpen town meeting8,1831838
GillTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,5001793
GloucesterCityEssexMayor-council28,7891623
GoshenTownHampshireOpen town meeting1,0541781
GosnoldTownDukesOpen town meeting751864
GraftonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting17,7651735
GranbyTownHampshireOpen town meeting6,2401768
GranvilleTownHampdenOpen town meeting1,5661775
Great BarringtonTownBerkshireOpen town meeting7,1041761
GreenfieldCity[4]FranklinMayor-council17,4561775
GrotonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting10,6461655
GrovelandTownEssexOpen town meeting6,4591850
HadleyTownHampshireOpen town meeting5,2501661
HalifaxTownPlymouthOpen town meeting7,5181734
HamiltonTownEssexOpen town meeting7,7641793
HampdenTownHampdenOpen town meeting5,1391878
HancockTownBerkshireOpen town meeting7171776
HanoverTownPlymouthOpen town meeting13,8791727
HansonTownPlymouthOpen town meeting10,2091820
HardwickTownWorcesterOpen town meeting2,9901739
HarvardTownWorcesterOpen town meeting6,5201732
HarwichTownBarnstableOpen town meeting12,2431694
HatfieldTownHampshireOpen town meeting3,2791670
HaverhillCityEssexMayor-council60,8791641
HawleyTownFranklinOpen town meeting3371792
HeathTownFranklinOpen town meeting7061785
HinghamTownPlymouthOpen town meeting22,1571635
HinsdaleTownBerkshireOpen town meeting2,0321804
HolbrookTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting10,7911872
HoldenTownWorcesterOpen town meeting17,3461741
HollandTownHampdenOpen town meeting2,4811835
HollistonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting13,5471724
HolyokeCityHampdenMayor-council39,8801850
HopedaleTownWorcesterOpen town meeting5,9111886
HopkintonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting14,9251715
HubbardstonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting4,3821775
HudsonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting19,0631866
HullTownPlymouthOpen town meeting10,2931644
HuntingtonTownHampshireOpen town meeting2,1801775
IpswichTownEssexOpen town meeting13,1751634
KingstonTownPlymouthOpen town meeting12,6291726
LakevilleTownPlymouthOpen town meeting10,6021853
LancasterTownWorcesterOpen town meeting8,0551653
LanesboroughTownBerkshireOpen town meeting3,0911765
LawrenceCityEssexMayor-council76,3771847
LeeTownBerkshireRepresentative town meeting5,9431777
LeicesterTownWorcesterOpen town meeting10,9701714
LenoxTownBerkshireOpen town meeting5,0251775
LeominsterCityWorcesterMayor-council40,7591740
LeverettTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,8511774
LexingtonTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting31,3941713
LeydenTownFranklinOpen town meeting7111809
LincolnTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting6,3621754
LittletonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting8,9241715
LongmeadowTownHampdenOpen town meeting15,7841783
LowellCityMiddlesexMayor-manager-council106,5191826
LudlowTownHampdenRepresentative town meeting21,1031775
LunenburgTownWorcesterOpen town meeting10,0861728
LynnCityEssexMayor-council90,3291629
LynnfieldTownEssexOpen town meeting11,5961814
MaldenCityMiddlesexMayor-council59,4501649
Manchester-by-the-SeaTownEssexOpen town meeting5,1361645
MansfieldTownBristolOpen town meeting23,1841775
MarbleheadTownEssexOpen town meeting19,8081629
MarionTownPlymouthOpen town meeting4,9071852
MarlboroughCityMiddlesexMayor-council38,4991660
MarshfieldTownPlymouthOpen town meeting25,1321640
MashpeeTownBarnstableOpen town meeting14,0061870
MattapoisettTownPlymouthOpen town meeting6,0451857
MaynardTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting10,1061871
MedfieldTownNorfolkOpen town meeting12,0241651
MedfordCityMiddlesexMayor-council56,1731630
MedwayTownNorfolkOpen town meeting12,7521713
MelroseCityMiddlesexMayor-council26,9831850
MendonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting5,8391667
MerrimacTownEssexOpen town meeting6,3381876
MethuenCity[4]EssexMayor-council47,2551725
MiddleboroughTownPlymouthOpen town meeting23,1161669
MiddlefieldTownHampshireOpen town meeting5211783
MiddletonTownEssexOpen town meeting8,9871728
MilfordTownWorcesterRepresentative town meeting27,9991780
MillburyTownWorcesterOpen town meeting13,2611813
MillisTownNorfolkOpen town meeting7,8911885
MillvilleTownWorcesterOpen town meeting3,1901916
MiltonTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting27,0031662
MonroeTownFranklinOpen town meeting1211822
MonsonTownHampdenOpen town meeting8,5601775
MontagueTownFranklinRepresentative town meeting8,4371775
MontereyTownBerkshireOpen town meeting9611847
MontgomeryTownHampdenOpen town meeting8381780
Mount WashingtonTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1671779
NahantTownEssexOpen town meeting3,4101853
NantucketTownNantucketOpen town meeting10,1721671
NatickTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting33,0061781
NeedhamTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting28,8861711
New AshfordTownBerkshireOpen town meeting2281835
New BedfordCityBristolMayor-council95,0721787
New BraintreeTownWorcesterOpen town meeting9991775
New MarlboroughTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,5091775
New SalemTownFranklinOpen town meeting9901775
NewburyTownEssexOpen town meeting6,6661635
NewburyportCityEssexMayor-council17,4161764
NewtonCityMiddlesexMayor-council[7]85,1461688
NorfolkTownNorfolkOpen town meeting11,2271870
North AdamsCityBerkshireMayor-council13,7081878
North AndoverTownEssexOpen town meeting28,3521855
North AttleboroughCityBristolManager-council28,7121887
North BrookfieldTownWorcesterOpen town meeting4,6801812
North ReadingTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting14,8921853
NorthamptonCityHampshireMayor-council28,5491656
NorthboroughTownWorcesterOpen town meeting14,1551775
NorthbridgeTownWorcesterOpen town meeting15,7071775
NorthfieldTownFranklinOpen town meeting3,0321723
NortonTownBristolOpen town meeting19,0311711
NorwellTownPlymouthOpen town meeting10,5061849
NorwoodTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting28,6021872
Oak BluffsTownDukesOpen town meeting4,5271880
OakhamTownWorcesterOpen town meeting1,9021775
OrangeTownFranklinOpen town meeting7,8391810
OrleansTownBarnstableOpen town meeting5,8901797
OtisTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,6121773
OxfordTownWorcesterOpen town meeting13,7091713
PalmerCity[4]HampdenCouncil-manager12,1401775
PaxtonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting4,8061775
PeabodyCityEssexMayor-council51,2511868
PelhamTownHampshireOpen town meeting1,3211743
PembrokeTownPlymouthOpen town meeting17,8371712
PepperellTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting11,4971775
PeruTownBerkshireOpen town meeting8471771
PetershamTownWorcesterOpen town meeting1,2341754
PhillipstonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting1,6821786
PittsfieldCityBerkshireMayor-council44,7371761
PlainfieldTownHampshireOpen town meeting6481807
PlainvilleTownNorfolkOpen town meeting8,2641905
PlymouthTownPlymouthRepresentative town meeting56,4681620
PlymptonTownPlymouthOpen town meeting2,8201707
PrincetonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting3,4131771
ProvincetownTownBarnstableOpen town meeting2,9421727
QuincyCityNorfolkMayor-council92,2711792
RandolphCity[4]NorfolkCouncil-manager32,1121793
RaynhamTownBristolOpen town meeting13,3831731
ReadingTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting24,7471644
RehobothTownBristolOpen town meeting11,6081645
RevereCitySuffolkMayor-council51,7551846
RichmondTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,4751765
RochesterTownPlymouthOpen town meeting5,2321686
RocklandTownPlymouthOpen town meeting17,4891874
RockportTownEssexOpen town meeting6,9521840
RoweTownFranklinOpen town meeting3931785
RowleyTownEssexOpen town meeting5,8561639
RoyalstonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting1,2581765
RussellTownHampdenOpen town meeting1,7751792
RutlandTownWorcesterOpen town meeting7,9731713
SalemCityEssexMayor-council41,3401626
SalisburyTownEssexOpen town meeting8,2831639
SandisfieldTownBerkshireOpen town meeting9151762
SandwichTownBarnstableOpen town meeting20,6751638
SaugusTownEssexRepresentative town meeting26,6281815
SavoyTownBerkshireOpen town meeting6921797
ScituateTownPlymouthOpen town meeting18,1331636
SeekonkTownBristolOpen town meeting13,7221812
SharonTownNorfolkOpen town meeting17,6121775
SheffieldTownBerkshireOpen town meeting3,2571733
ShelburneTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,8931775
SherbornTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting4,1191674
ShirleyTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting7,2111775
ShrewsburyTownWorcesterRepresentative town meeting35,6081727
ShutesburyTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,7711761
SomersetTownBristolOpen town meeting18,1651790
SomervilleCityMiddlesexMayor-council75,7541842
South HadleyTownHampshireRepresentative town meeting17,5141775
SouthamptonTownHampshireOpen town meeting5,7921775
SouthboroughTownWorcesterOpen town meeting9,7671727
SouthbridgeCity[4]WorcesterCouncil-manager16,7191816
SouthwickTownHampdenOpen town meeting9,5021775
SpencerTownWorcesterOpen town meeting11,6881775
SpringfieldCityHampdenMayor-council153,0601636
SterlingTownWorcesterOpen town meeting7,8081781
StockbridgeTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,9471739
StonehamTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting21,4371725
StoughtonTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting26,9621726
StowTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting6,5901683
SturbridgeTownWorcesterOpen town meeting9,2681738
SudburyTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting17,6591639
SunderlandTownFranklinOpen town meeting3,6841714
SuttonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting8,9631714
SwampscottTownEssexRepresentative town meeting13,7871852
SwanseaTownBristolOpen town meeting15,8651667
TauntonCityBristolMayor-council55,8741639
TempletonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting8,0131762
TewksburyTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting28,9611734
TisburyTownDukesOpen town meeting3,9491671
TollandTownHampdenOpen town meeting4851810
TopsfieldTownEssexOpen town meeting6,0851650
TownsendTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting8,9261732
TruroTownBarnstableOpen town meeting2,0031709
TyngsboroughTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting11,2921809
TyringhamTownBerkshireOpen town meeting3271762
UptonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting7,5421735
UxbridgeTownWorcesterOpen town meeting13,4571727
WakefieldTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting24,9321812
WalesTownHampdenOpen town meeting1,8381762
WalpoleTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting24,0701724
WalthamCityMiddlesexMayor-council60,6321738
WareTownHampshireOpen town meeting9,8721775
WarehamTownPlymouthOpen town meeting21,8221739
WarrenTownWorcesterOpen town meeting5,1351742
WarwickTownFranklinOpen town meeting7801763
WashingtonTownBerkshireOpen town meeting5381777
WatertownCity[4]MiddlesexCouncil-manager31,9151630
WaylandTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting12,9941780
WebsterTownWorcesterOpen town meeting16,7671832
WellesleyTownNorfolkRepresentative town meeting27,9821881
WellfleetTownBarnstableOpen town meeting2,7501775
WendellTownFranklinOpen town meeting8481781
WenhamTownEssexOpen town meeting4,8751643
West BoylstonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting7,6691808
West BridgewaterTownPlymouthOpen town meeting6,9161822
West BrookfieldTownWorcesterOpen town meeting3,7011848
West NewburyTownEssexOpen town meeting4,2351819
West SpringfieldCity[4]HampdenMayor-council28,3911774
West StockbridgeTownBerkshireOpen town meeting1,3061775
West TisburyTownDukesOpen town meeting2,7401892
WestboroughTownWorcesterOpen town meeting18,2721717
WestfieldCityHampdenMayor-council41,0941669
WestfordTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting21,9511729
WesthamptonTownHampshireOpen town meeting1,6071778
WestminsterTownWorcesterOpen town meeting7,2771770
WestonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting11,2611713
WestportTownBristolOpen town meeting15,5321787
WestwoodTownNorfolkOpen town meeting14,6181897
WeymouthCity[4]NorfolkMayor-council53,7431635
WhatelyTownFranklinOpen town meeting1,4961771
WhitmanTownPlymouthOpen town meeting14,4891875
WilbrahamTownHampdenOpen town meeting14,2191763
WilliamsburgTownHampshireOpen town meeting2,4821775
WilliamstownTownBerkshireOpen town meeting7,7541765
WilmingtonTownMiddlesexOpen town meeting22,3251730
WinchendonTownWorcesterOpen town meeting10,3001764
WinchesterTownMiddlesexRepresentative town meeting21,3741850
WindsorTownBerkshireOpen town meeting8991771
WinthropCity[4]SuffolkCouncil-manager17,4971852
WoburnCityMiddlesexMayor-aldermen38,1201642
WorcesterCityWorcesterMayor-manager-council181,0451684
WorthingtonTownHampshireOpen town meeting1,1561768
WrenthamTownNorfolkOpen town meeting10,9551673
YarmouthTownBarnstableOpen town meeting23,7931639

List of cities by official name

The following tabular list shows the 57 government divisions of the Commonwealth which have been officially granted the right to use the city form of government along with the official name in use by each municipality.[Note 1]

MunicipalityOfficial nameWeb reference
AgawamTown of Agawamhttp://www.agawam.ma.us/
AmesburyCity of Amesburyhttp://www.amesburyma.gov/
AmherstTown of Amhersthttp://www.amherstma.gov/
AttleboroCity of Attleborohttp://www.cityofattleboro.us/
BarnstableTown of Barnstablehttp://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/
BeverlyCity of Beverlyhttp://www.beverlyma.gov
BostonCity of Bostonhttp://www.cityofboston.gov/
BraintreeTown of Braintreehttps://web.archive.org/web/20061017082136/http://www.townofbraintreegov.org/
BridgewaterTown of Bridgewaterhttp://www.bridgewaterma.org/
BrocktonCity of Brocktonhttp://www.brockton.ma.us/
CambridgeCity of Cambridgehttp://www.cambridgema.gov/
ChelseaCity of Chelseahttp://www.ci.chelsea.ma.us/
ChicopeeCity of Chicopeehttp://www.chicopeema.gov/
EasthamptonCity of Easthamptonhttp://www.easthampton.org/
EverettCity of Everetthttp://www.ci.everett.ma.us/
Fall RiverCity of Fall Riverhttp://www.fallriverma.org/
FitchburgCity of Fitchburghttp://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/
FraminghamCity of Framinghamhttp://www.framinghamma.gov/
FranklinTown of Franklinhttp://www.franklinma.gov/
GardnerCity of Gardnerhttp://www.gardner-ma.gov/
GloucesterCity of Gloucesterhttp://gloucester-ma.gov/
GreenfieldCity of Greenfieldhttps://greenfield-ma.gov/
HaverhillCity of Haverhillhttp://www.ci.haverhill.ma.us/
HolyokeCity of Holyokehttp://www.holyoke.org/
LawrenceCity of Lawrencehttp://www.cityoflawrence.com
LeominsterCity of Leominsterhttp://www.leominster-ma.gov/
LowellCity of Lowellhttp://www.lowellma.gov/
LynnCity of Lynnhttp://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/
MaldenCity of Maldenhttp://www.cityofmalden.org/
MarlboroughCity of Marlboroughhttp://www.marlborough-ma.gov/
MedfordCity of Medfordhttp://www.medford.org/
MelroseCity of Melrosehttp://www.cityofmelrose.org/
MethuenCity of Methuenhttp://www.ci.methuen.ma.us/
New BedfordCity of New Bedfordhttp://www.newbedford-ma.gov/
NewburyportCity of Newburyporthttp://www.cityofnewburyport.com/
NewtonCity of Newtonhttp://www.newtonma.gov/
North AdamsCity of North Adamshttp://www.northadams-ma.gov/
NorthamptonCity of Northamptonhttp://www.northamptonma.gov/
PalmerTown of Palmerhttp://www.townofpalmer.com
PeabodyCity of Peabodyhttp://www.peabody-ma.gov/
PittsfieldCity of Pittsfieldhttp://www.pittsfield-ma.org/
QuincyCity of Quincyhttp://www.quincyma.gov/
Randolph[8]Town of Randolphhttps://www.randolph-ma.gov/
RevereCity of Reverehttp://www.revere.org/
SalemCity of Salemhttp://www.salem.com
SomervilleCity of Somervillehttp://www.somervillema.gov
SouthbridgeTown of Southbridgehttp://www.ci.southbridge.ma.us
SpringfieldCity of Springfieldhttp://www.springfieldcityhall.com
TauntonCity of Tauntonhttp://www.taunton-ma.gov
WalthamCity of Walthamhttp://www.city.waltham.ma.us/
WatertownTown of Watertownhttp://www.watertown-ma.gov
WestfieldCity of Westfieldhttp://www.cityofwestfield.org
West SpringfieldTown of West Springfieldhttp://www.townofwestspringfield.org/
WeymouthTown of Weymouthhttp://www.weymouth.ma.us/
WinthropTown of Winthrophttp://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/
WoburnCity of Woburnhttp://www.cityofwoburn.com/
WorcesterCity of Worcesterhttp://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/

Geography of towns at formation
Formation of Massachusetts cities and towns, 1620–1870

This map shows towns colored by the date they were incorporated in Massachusetts since the founding of Plimoth Plantation in 1620. Many of the towns and future cities shown covering the area of their original incorporation have since been divided into two, three or in some cases several smaller municipalities. For example, Dorchester was incorporated in 1630 and originally included all of the current Dorchester, now the largest neighborhood of Boston, plus the Boston neighborhood of Mattapan, and all of present-day Quincy, Milton, Braintree, Randolph, Holbrook, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon and the northeast portion of Foxboro. Nearly all of Massachusetts territory had been incorporated by 1815, with the final three areas of Erving (1838), Gay Head (now Aquinnah) and Mashpee (both 1870) being incorporated from previously Native American land.

Former municipalities

Some towns and cities were annexed to others; disincorporated; or ceded to another state in their entirety. This list does not include territory changes affecting only part of a municipality; see History of Massachusetts.

Annexations

The following formerly independent municipalities have been annexed to Boston:

The town of Bradford was annexed to Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1897.

Disincorporations

The following towns were disincorporated in 1938 due to the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir; all their territory was absorbed into surrounding towns:

Cessions

The following towns were ceded to the Rhode Island colony in 1747 as part of a border dispute:

The following towns joined the Connecticut Colony in late 1749 after separating from Springfield or just joining Connecticut.

Due to general lack of colonial government there, all four towns in colonial New Hampshire chose to become part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1641. They were ceded to the re-formed Province of New Hampshire in 1680, under a newly-issued royal charter.

Numerous towns were ceded to New Hampshire after the Northern boundary of Massachusetts was defined by royal decree in 1741.

Those towns were later disincorporated and reincorporated under New Hampshire laws on the same day in 1746.

All settlements in the District of Maine were ceded when the state of Maine gained its independence from Massachusetts in 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise.

Archaic names

Many municipalities have changed names.[9]

Old name Modern name County Notes
AcushenaDartmouthBristol
AgawamDartmouthBristolDifferent from Agawam in Hampden County
Agawam PlantationSpringfieldHampdenAn Agawam separated from Springfield via West Springfield
AndrewstownChesterfieldHampshire
ApponegansettDartmouthBristol
Ashuelot EquivalentDaltonBerkshire
AttleboroughAttleboroBristolThe -ugh was dropped when the city was re-incorporated in 1914
Barnardstone's GrantFloridaBerkshire
Basse RiverBeverlyEssex
Belcher’s TownBelchertownHampshire
Berkshire EquivalentFloridaBerkshire
BillirikeyBillericaMiddlesex
Blue Hill LandsBraintreeNorfolk
BoggestowSherbornMiddlesex
Boston Township Number OneCharlemontFranklin
Boston Township Number TwoColrainFranklin
Bullock's GrantFloridaBerkshire
Bullocks GrantClarksburgBerkshire
CabotvilleChicopeeHampden
Cambridge FarmsLexingtonMiddlesex
Cambridge South ParishBrightonSuffolk
Cape AnnGloucesterEssexDifferent from the modern definition of Cape Ann, which includes Gloucester, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport
ChabakongomumDudleyWorcester
ChabanagungamugDudleyWorcester
ChappequiddickEdgartownDukes
Charley MountCharlemontFranklin
CharltonCharlestownSuffolk
ChebaccoEssexEssex
ChequocketBarnstableBarnstable
ChuckomugBarnstableBarnstable
CoaBarnstableBarnstable
CochickawickAndoverEssex
CochituitAndoverEssex
CokachoiseBarnstableBarnstable
Cold SpringBelchertownHampshire
ColechesterSalisburyEssex
ConahassetCohassetNorfolk
Concord VillageActonMiddlesex
ContentmentDedhamNorfolk
CotachesettBarnstableBarnstable
Cottage CityOak BluffsDukes
Danforth's FarmsFraminghamMiddlesex
District of CarlisleCarlisleMiddlesex
Dorchester VillageCantonNorfolk
Dorchester-Canada PlantationAshburnhamWorcester
DucksburrowDuxburyPlymouth
Duxburrow PlantationBridgewaterPlymouth
East ChelmsfordLowellMiddlesex
East Hoosuck PlantationAdamsBerkshire
East SudburyWaylandMiddlesex
Edgar TowneEdgartownDukes
EmesburyAmesburyEssex
Erving's GrantEnfieldHampshire
Fair Haven VillageFairhavenBristol
Falls FightBernardstonFranklin
Falltown PlantationBernardstonFranklin
Five Pound IslandGloucesterEssex
Foords FarmBridgewaterPlymouth
Fort MassachusettsAdamsBerkshire
Freeman's PurchaseFall RiverBristol
Freemens LandFreetownBristol
GageboroughWindsorBerkshire
Gay HeadAquinnahDukes
Gay Head Indian DistrictAquinnahDukes
GerryPhillipstonWorcester
GlasgowBlandfordHampden
GloscesterGloucesterEssex
Great HarbourEdgartownDukes
Green HarborDuxburyPlymouth
GreenwichEnfieldHampshire
Hack's GrantEnfieldHampshire
HawthornDanversEssex
Hadley Third PrecinctAmherstHampshire
HockamockEastonBristol
HockomockBridgewaterPlymouth
Housatonic Township Number FourBecketBerkshire
Huntstown PlantationAshfieldFranklin
HutchinsonBarreWorcester
Ipswich Eighth ParishEssexEssex
IrelandHolyokeHampden
Iron Work FarmActonMiddlesex
KetiticutBridgewaterPlymouth
KokachoiseBarnstableBarnstable
LitchfieldDunstableMiddlesex
Little CambridgeBrightonSuffolk
Little SalisburyAmesburyEssex
LyttletonLittletonMiddlesex
ManamoietChathamBarnstable
Manamoit VillageChathamBarnstable
ManamooskeaginAbingtonPlymouth
ManchaugSuttonWorcester
Manor of TisburyChilmarkDukes
MattakeesetBarnstableBarnstable
MattakeesetDuxburyPlymouth
MattapanDorchesterSuffolkSection of Boston
Mennems MooneDorchesterSuffolk
MenotomyArlingtonMiddlesex
Merry MountMerrymountNorfolkNeighborhood of Quincy
Middlesex GoreDudleyWorcester
Mile & Half of LandAttleboroBristol
MinnechaugHampdenHampden
Minot's GrantCummingtonHampshire
MishawumCharlestownSuffolk
MisticBarnstableBarnstable
MohootsetCarverPlymouth
MonatiquotBraintreeNorfolk
MonomoyChathamBarnstable
Monument VillageBourneBarnstable
MoskeehtucketqutBarnstableBarnstable
Mount DaganBraintreeNorfolk
Mount WollastonMerrymountNorfolkNeighborhood of Quincy
Muddy RiverBrooklineNorfolk
MurrayfieldChesterHampden
Murrayfield GrantCummingtonHampshire
MusketequidConcordMiddlesex
NamassakeesettDuxburyPlymouth
NashowakemmuckChilmarkDukes
NawsettEasthamBarnstable
New GlasgowBlandfordHampden
New GrantActonMiddlesex
New Hingham PlantationChesterfieldHampshire
New ProvidenceCheshireBerkshire
New Providence HillCheshireBerkshire
New Providence PlantationAdamsBerkshire
New Providence PurchaseCheshireBerkshire
New RowleyGeorgetownEssex
New SherburnDouglasWorcester
Newe TowneCambridgeMiddlesexIncluded modern Newton
NewtownCambridgeMiddlesexIncluded modern Newton
No Town PlantationBucklandFranklin
NobscussetDennisBarnstable
Noman's LandChilmarkDukes
Noddle's IslandBostonSuffolk
North BridgewaterBrocktonPlymouth
North PurchaseAttleboroBristol
North SandwichBourneBarnstable
North WrenthamNorfolkNorfolk
NossettEasthamBarnstable
NoticockDunstableMiddlesex
NottinghamDunstableMiddlesex
Number ThirteenChelseaSuffolk
NunketestBridgewaterPlymouth
NunnepogEdgartownDukes
PassacomuckEasthamptonHampshire
PawtucketChelmsfordMiddlesex
PawtucketDracutMiddlesex
Payquage PlantationAtholWorcester
PeymechitBarnstableBarnstable
Plantation ChickleystownCharlemontFranklin
Plantation Number Five (1762 Township)CummingtonHampshire
Plantation Number FourBecketBerkshire
Plantation Number Nine (1762 Township)ChesterHampden
Plantation Number One (Western Township of 1762)ChesterfieldHampshire
Plantation Number OneAdamsBerkshire
PocomtuckDeerfieldFranklin
PodunkeAlfordBerkshire
PodunkvilleAlfordBerkshire
PoguaigeAtholWorcester
PompositicutStowMiddlesex
Provincetown on Mills RiverAtholWorcester
Pullen PoynteChelseaSuffolk
Pullin PointChelseaSuffolk
PunkapoagCantonNorfolk
Quabaug TerritoryBrookfieldWorcester
Quabaug TerritoryEast BrookfieldWorcester
QuaboagBrookfieldWorcester
Quequechan RegionFall RiverBristol
QuichickichickAndoverEssex
QuinsigamondWorcesterWorcester
QuobaugeBrookfieldWorcester
Rowley VillageBoxfordEssex
Rumney MarshChelseaSuffolk
Rutland DistrictBarreWorcester
SacconeesettFalmouthBarnstable
Salem FarmsDanversEssex
Salem Middle ParishDanversEssex
Salem Village ParishDanversEssex
Salisbury-new-touneAmesburyEssex
SantuiteBarnstableBarnstable
SatucketBrewsterBarnstable
SatuiteBarnstableBarnstable
SawkatucketBrewsterBarnstable
ScipuiszetFalmouthBarnstable
SconticutFairhavenBristol
SeipuiszetFalmouthBarnstable
SepoeseBarnstableBarnstable
SepuitBarnstableBarnstable
SesuetDennisBarnstable
ShawanonEgremontBerkshire
Shawanon PurchaseAlfordBerkshire
ShawmutBostonSuffolk
ShawshinnockBillericaMiddlesex
ShawsinBillericaMiddlesex
SipnessetBarnstableBarnstable
SkonkonetBarnstableBarnstable
SkunkamugBarnstableBarnstable
SlacksvillePlainvilleNorfolk
South MaldenEverettMiddlesex
South ParishEnfieldHampshire
South PurchaseDightonBristol
South ReadingWakefieldMiddlesex
South ReddingWakefieldMiddlesex
South WilbrahamHampdenHampden
Springfield ParishDoverNorfolk
Squantums NeckQuincyNorfolkAnnexed to Dorchester 1641, annexed to Quincy 1792[10]
SuckanessetFalmouthBarnstable
SudburyWaylandMiddlesex
Suffield Equivalent LandsBlandfordHampden
TamahappaseeaconBarnstableBarnstable
TauntonDightonBristolDifferent from modern Taunton
Taunton North PurchaseEastonBristol
TivertonFreetownBristolDifferent from modern Tiverton, Rhode Island
TragabigzandaGloucesterEssex
TremontBostonSuffolk
TrimountaineBostonSuffolk
TroyFall RiverBristol
Turkey HillFitchburgWorcester
UnquityquessetMiltonNorfolk
Vinson's CoveGloucesterEssex
WamesetChelmsfordMiddlesex
WaquaEdgartownDukes
WardAuburnWorcester
WashquaEdgartownDukes
WaskotussooBarnstableBarnstable
Watatick HillAshburnhamWorcester
WattuppaFreetownBristol
WeguassetChathamBarnstable
WellingtonDightonBristol
WequaquetBarnstableBarnstable
Wessagusset ColonyWeymouthNorfolkFounded by Thomas Weston in 1622, 2nd oldest European settlement in Massachusetts. Incorporated as Weymouth in 1635 by settlers from the Dorset, England town of the same name.
West CambridgeArlingtonMiddlesex
West HoosuckWilliamstownBerkshire
West SandwichBourneBarnstable
Weymouth CanadaAshfieldFranklin
Willard’s FarmActonMiddlesex
WinnissimetChelseaSuffolk
Wood EndReadingMiddlesex
WyngaersheekGloucesterEssex
Yanno's LandBarnstableBarnstable
YorkEgremontBerkshire

See also

Notes
  1. The main source for the table is the Massachusetts Municipal Association 2009-2010 Municipal Directory Archived 2013-06-15 at the Wayback Machine. The MMA Directory is not an official state document, but is more up to date and specific than the official list from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office, which is dated 03-11-2008 and does not include Palmer, Randolph and Winthrop, which have since adopted the city form of government.

References
  1. "2009-10 Municipal Directory". Massachusetts Municipal Association. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  2. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision, 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  3. "Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  4. One of 14 municipalities with a city form of government that refers to itself as "The Town of". "Citizen Information Service: Massachusetts City and Town Incorporation and Settlement Dates". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  5. http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisctlist/ctlistalph.htm
  6. William O. Hultgren (Fall 2004). "Time Line for the Establishment of the Town of Charlton" (PDF). Charlton Historical Society Newsletter. Charlton Historical Society. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  7. "Newton, MA - News Details". www.newtonma.gov. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
  8. "Chapter 147 of the Acts of 2009". Boston: Massachusetts General Court. November 19, 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  9. Archaic Community, District, Neighborhood, Section and Village, Names in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Secretary of State Citizen Information Service. Retrieved 2008 Apr 13.
  10. "DIOTD, Mar. 10, 2009 Dorchester Territory". Dorchester Atheneum. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved 2009-08-11.


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