Wilmington is a suburban community with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and industrial parks. It is 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

The topography in Wilmington is generally low lying with wetlands covering 25% of the town. Residential development is concentrated in the upland areas. According to the Wilmington Master Plan 2001, 76% of Wilmington is zoned for residential uses. 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) and Lowell Street (Route 129) and on Middlesex Avenue (Route 62)

Wilmington was officially incorporated in 1730. For over 200 years, it was governed by Open Town Meeting and Board of Selectmen. As the town grew the corresponding expansion of services began to overburden the citizen boards and officials. Residents recognized the need for a full-time professional town administrator. In 1950, Wilmington adopted the ?Town Charter,? establishing a Town Manager form of government. Under the advice of a five member Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the town. Voters may still participate in Open Town Meeting held annually on the fourth Saturday of April.

Early settlers were attracted to Wilmington by its plentiful water that provided power for lumber and grist mills, and by its soil that was well-suited for growing cranberries, hops and the famous Baldwin apples. Between 1803 and the 1840?s, the Middlesex Canal provided a means of shipping produce to market. During the mid- nineteenth century, the Harriman Tannery was a major industry in Wilmington. Farming, however, remained the town?s primary business until the 1950?s when more industries moved to Wilmington due to its convenient location and accessibility via railroads and highways.

Between 1950 and 1970 Wilmington?s population more than doubled to 17,100 residents and then remained stable until the early 1990?s. From 1990 to 2000, the town experienced another growth surge with a 20% increase in population. As of July 1, 2004, the Town Clerk?s Office reported a population of 22,078 for Wilmington. Population projections calculated by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) show a population of 21,405 for 2005 and 22,583 for 2010. The town has already passed the 2005 projection and may also exceed the 2010 projection.

Wilmington?s population is racially homogenous with 96.3 % categorized as ?white? according to the 2000 federal census. 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. Approximately 92.4% of the population have a high school diploma and 41.4% have a bachelor?s degree or higher. It is interesting to note that the 1990 census reported only 18.9% of the population having a college degree. According to the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training, the workforce (number of employed residents) in Wilmington in 2002 totaled 12,643 with an unemployment rate of 4.9%.

The rapid growth of new home construction in Wilmington over the past decade is further confirmed by the federal census. There were approximately 1,476 new homes built between 1990 and 2000. According to the Town Assessor, there are 7,310 housing units in Wilmington. The MAPC projection for number of households in 2005 is 7,284 and in 2010 is 7,906. The current number of households is higher than the number projected by the MAPC for 2005.

The majority of homes in Wilmington are single family units. Avalon Oaks, Wilmington?s first apartment complex, was built in 1998 and contains 204 units. The median price of a single family home in 2004 is estimated at $375,000. Housing diversity and affordability is an issue of concern that was listed as a primary need in the town?s Master Plan, 2001.

Wilmington is home to 730 businesses employing approximately 21,000 people. Major employers include Analog Devices (2,000 employees), AGFA (1,000 employees) and Textron Defense Systems (850 employees). The relatively high commercial tax rate of $32.51 per thousand (FY03) has afforded Wilmington residents a lower tax rate of $13.41 per thousand (FY03). The average property tax bill in Wilmington in 2003 was $2,982.

Wilmington?s bond rating of ?AA? received from Standard & Poor in 2001 reflects the conservative fiscal management that has enabled the town to weather the economic downturn of the past three years. The total municipal budget for FY05 is $63,073,553.

Wilmington opened a new Middle School in August, 2000 for grades six, seven and eight. In order to accommodate the growing number of students in the elementary grades (kindergarten through grade 5), the Wilmington Public School Department reconfigured the two former intermediate schools into elementary schools. In 2002-2003, there were 3,792 students enrolled in the Wilmington Public Schools. In 2003, 63.5% of the graduating class planned to attend a four year college and 20.3% planned to attend a two year college. The current size of the elementary and middle school grades could result in an increase in the high school population in the next few years. The Wilmington Master Plan 2001, noted the absence of a community center for teens and recommended that the town study the feasibility of developing one. The Wilmington Memorial Library has a full-time Teen Services Librarian on staff responsible for developing services and programs for the teen population.

According to the School Superintendent?s office, eight students were home schooled, 201 students (kindergarten to grade 12) attended private schools and 250 high school students attended the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in 2003 -2004. The Abundant Life Christian School is the only private school in Wilmington with a student population of 168 (kindergarten to grade 8). It also operates a preschool and day care center for 135 children. There are a total of seven private preschools including the Abundant Life Christian School in Wilmington.

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.

Two weekly newspapers cover Wilmington, the Wilmington Town Crier and the Wilmington Advocate. The daily Lowell Sun also reports Wilmington news. Wilmington Cable TV (WCTV) broadcasts public information and events, educational programs and town government affairs. The Wilmington Memorial Library is a resource for a broad range of community information and news ranging from a current events bulletin board to a collection of files and documents on the Olin Corporation hazardous waste site.

In order to manage the impacts of increased population and economic development, the Town of Wilmington adopted a comprehensive Master Plan at the Annual Town Meeting in 2002. It identified major local issues that will impact Wilmington?s future. The recommendations include the following: preserve open space, protect water resources, encourage development of neighborhood activity centers, increase housing diversity and affordability, encourage appropriate and desirable economic development, and improve mobility (vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle). The Master Plan was amended in 2003 by adding historic preservation to the six main goals. The Board of Selectmen reappointed the Master Plan Committee in the fall of 2003 to oversee the implementation of the Master Plan.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Massachusetts Department of Education - Wilmington Enrollment Indicators

Massachusetts Municipal Profiles 2004

Town of Wilmington Master Plan 2001(amended 2003)

Wilmington Town Topics July - September 2001

Wilmington Memorial Library Long Range Plan 1995-2000