Fitchburg is located in the north-central part of the state of Massachusetts and a city in Worcester County. It sits along the scenic highway, Mohawk Trail, and a branch of the Nahua River, which is just northwest of the city of Leominster, and on the northwestern part of Boston. The area was first settled in 1740 and was originally called Turkey Hills, but it was then renamed after John Fitch, the person responsible to ensure the incorporation of the town. The presence of the nearby river furnished power for the early textile mills, and also paved the way in the opening of the Boston-Fitchburg stage line which then stimulated the growth of the town. When the Boston and Fitchburg and of the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad in the 1840s spurred town’s industrial development and economic boom.
| Population | 40,383 (3.50%) |
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