 Somerville is a city located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,478. With only slightly over 4 square miles of land, this makes it the most densely populated community in New England.
Somerville was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from the urbanizing Charlestown because it was still largely rural. By the early 1900’s, Somerville itself had become a densely-packed urban area, featuring immigrants from across Europe.
Today, Somerville is an eclectic mix of blue-collar families, young professionals, college students and recent immigrants from countries as diverse as El Salvador, Haiti, and Brazil. It is known for its large number of squares, which help mark neighborhood boundaries while also featuring bustling business and entertainment centers. Among the most active today are Davis Square, Union Square, Ball Square, Teele Square and Magoun Square.
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