The Town of Wilmington is a suburban community with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial parks located in northern Middlesex County halfway between Boston and the New Hampshire border along Interstate Route 93.  The town is approximately seventeen square miles in size, and lies at the headwaters of the Ipswich River Basin.  Wilmington is bounded by Andover to the north, Billerica and Tewksbury to the west, Burlington and Woburn to the south, and Reading and North Reading to the east. The topography in Wilmington is generally low lying with wetlands covering approximately 25% of the town. 

Based on the local census, Wilmington’s 2008 population is 23,066 which reflect a 6.4% increase from 2003. The 2010 Census, currently underway, will likely show little significant change in Wilmington’s racial demographic profile compared to the 2000 Census. According to the 2000 Census, Wilmington’s population is racially homogenous with 96.3 % categorized as “white.” Compared to the 1990 Federal Census, this figure represents a slight decrease in the white population and an increase in other racial categories. In 1990, there were 172 residents of Asian race compared to 434 reported in the 2000 Census. In 1990, there were 81 residents of Hispanic origin compared to 203 in the 2000 Census. According to the 2000 Census, approximately 92.4% of the population had a high school diploma and 41.4% had a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Wilmington’s convenient location and accessibility via highways and commuter rail make it a good place to live or locate a business. Residential development is concentrated in the upland areas.  Industrial development is concentrated in three locations:  the southeast corner of Wilmington; north of Route 125 and in central Wilmington east of Route 93.  The principal commercial and business districts are located along Main Street (Route 38), Lowell Street (Route 129) and on Middlesex Avenue.  In 2008, new commercial development occurred along the Main Street corridor where several businesses, including Staples, opened their doors at the new Wilmington Crossings. 

According to the 2000 census, 9,029 workers commute from Wilmington to outside and 18,286 workers travel to work in Wilmington. The unemployment data for Wilmington reflects the national increase in this category due to current economic conditions. According to the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training, the unemployment rate in March 2009 was 7.6% compared to 4.3% in March 2008.

According to the Town Assessor, there are 7,098 housing units in Wilmington. The majority of these homes are single family dwellings. There are also seven apartment complexes.  In May 2006, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology released a study for families seeking to live in the greater Boston area. Of the 142 communities surveyed, Wilmington ranked second in affordability, taking into account the quality of life issues addressed in the study. (Town of Wilmington 2006 Annual report)

The economic impact on home sales has resulted in a decline in home values and number of homes sold over the past year.  According to the Warren Group, publishers of Bankers and Tradesmen, the average sale price of a single family home in Wilmington in 2009 is $335,000.

Wilmington’s financial picture was described by the Town Manager in the 2008 Annual Report. “The Town of Wilmington, although not immune from harsh economic realities facing families, businesses, governments and other entities, fared better than many communities. …..At the end of calendar year 2008, the Boston Globe published several articles on local development and municipal property taxes. Bucking the Trend is how they referred to the Town of Wilmington.”  The residential tax rate decreased with a budget that was balanced with no lay off of personnel or reduction in services. The FY10 Municipal Budget is $77,294,810. 

In 2008-2009, there were 3,780 students enrolled in the Wilmington Public Schools. A recent study of all existing school buildings recommended that a new high school be built. A “Statement of Interest” has been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the entity that authorizes school construction funding from the Commonwealth.  Wilmington adopted full day kindergarten in 2007 with no tuition to these students. Wilmington is also one of the few communities in the area that does not charge user fees to students participating in school sports or other extracurricular activities. The Wilmington School/Business Partnership and the Wilmington Education Foundation are two organizations that work to support and broaden the education experience of Wilmington's students. 

Wilmington is a member of the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School District where 245 students are enrolled in the current school year. Six students are home schooled and 291 students attend private schools. The Abundant Life Christian School, the only private in Wilmington, has a student population of 168 K to 8 students.

Many residents participate in the social and cultural activities provided by an active town Recreation Department, a local arts council and numerous local civic and social organizations. The Elderly Services Department provides services and programs to the senior community. “Fun on the Fourth” held during the week of July 4th on the Town Common is a popular annual event attended by many residents. The Wilmington Historical Commission, Friends of the Harnden Tavern and the Wilmington Minutemen are involved in historical programs and preservation. The Wilmington Memorial Library provides a variety of cultural and educational programs for all ages.  The Friends of the Wilmington Memorial Library operate the only used bookstore in Wilmington.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Massachusetts Department of Education - Wilmington Enrollment Indicators