Editing Middleborough, Massachusetts

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Middleborough, Massachusetts<br><small>Middleboro</small>
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = Cranberry Capital of the World
|image_skyline            = Middleboro MA Town Hall.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Town Hall
|image_seal               =Seal of Middleborough, Massachusetts.png
|image_flag               =
|image_map                = Plymouth County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Middleborough highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in Plymouth County in Massachusetts
|image_map1               =
|mapsize1                 =
|map_caption1             =
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Massachusetts]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Plymouth County, Massachusetts|Plymouth]]
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1660
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1669
|established_title3       =
|established_date3        =
|government_type          = [[Open town meeting]]
|leader_title             = <!--[[Town Manager|Town<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Manager]]-->
|leader_name              = Robert G. Nunes<ref>{{cite news|last1=Elwell|first1=Alice|title=Nunes named new town manager in Middleboro|url=http://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20141028/NEWS/141026514|access-date=September 13, 2015|work=The Enterprise|publisher=Gatehouse Media, LLC|date=October 29, 2014}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = <!--Board of <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selectmen-->
|leader_name1             =
|area_magnitude           =
|area_total_km2           = 186.9
|area_total_sq_mi         =
|area_land_km2            = 178.9
|area_land_sq_mi          =
|area_water_km2           = 8.0
|area_water_sq_mi         =
|population_as_of         = 2020
|settlement_type          = [[New England town|Town]]
|population_total         = 24245
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi =
|elevation_m              = 43
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|elevation_ft             = 141
|coordinates              = {{Coord|41|53|22|N|70|53|39|W|type:region:US-MA_type:city(24000)|display=inline,title}}
|website                  = [https://www.middleboroughma.gov/ www.middleboroughma.gov]
|postal_code_type         = ZIP Codes
|postal_code              = 02344, 02346, 02349
|area_code                = [[Area code 508|508]]/[[Area code 774|774]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 25-40850
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0618346
|footnotes                =
}}

'''Middleborough''' is a town in [[Plymouth County, Massachusetts]], United States. The population was 24,405 as of 2023.<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |title=U.S Census Bureau data |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/middleboroughtownplymouthcountymassachusetts/AFN120222 |access-date=November 10, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The [[census-designated place]] of [[Middleborough Center, Massachusetts|Middleborough Center]] corresponds to the main village and commercial center of the town. It is the second largest municipality by land area in Massachusetts and nineteenth largest in New England. Middleborough proclaims itself to be the "[[Cranberry]] Capital of the World". Cranberry production remains a significant part of the local economy.<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC" /> In 2015, approximately {{convert|1400|acres|ha}} of the town were used to grow the crop, accounting for 3% of all land used to harvest cranberry bogs in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association |title=Massachusetts Cranberry Industry |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/crantaskforce-cccga-cranberry-task-force-briefing/download |website=Mass.gov |access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Eklund |first1=Bruce |title=Cranberry Highlights |url=https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_Jersey/Publications/Cranberry_Statistics/2016%20CRANBERRYSUM%209-2017.pdf |website=NASS.USDA.gov |publisher=National Agricultural Statistics Service New Jersey Field Office |access-date=May 23, 2023 |date=July 2017}}</ref>

==History==

The town was first settled by [[Europe]]ans in 1661 as Nemasket, later changed to Middlebury, and officially incorporated as Middleborough in 1669. The name Nemasket or Namasket came from a [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] settlement along the small river that now bears the same name. ''Nemasket'' may have meant "place of fish",<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Gille |editor-first=Frank H. |date=1998 |title=Encyclopedia of Massachusetts Indians |location=St. Clair Shores, Michigan |publisher=Somerset Publishers, Inc. |page=166 |isbn=0-403-09330-9 |quote=The Namasket, from namaus "fish", aki "land", et "at," was a tribe or band that formerly lived in a village of the same name near present Middleboro, Massachusetts. They were subordinate to the Wampanoag. The village was populous when first known, but the Indians rapidly decreased as white setlements [sic] advanced. In 1794 there were still about 40 members of the tribe. One family, named Mitchell still lived near Middleboro in the early 1900s, and claimed descent from the famous Indian King Philip.}}</ref> due to the large amount of [[herring]] that migrate up the river each spring.<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC">{{cite web |author1=Town of Middleborough |title=Middleborough, Massachusetts: Making History Since 2300 B.C. |url=https://www.middleborough.com/304/History |website=Middleborough.com |access-date=May 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Huden |first1=John Charles |title=Indian place names of New England |date=1962 |publisher=Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation |location=New York |page=142 |url=https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/indianplacenames00hude |access-date=May 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Costa |first1=David J. |title=The Dialectology of Southern New England Algonquian |journal=Papers of the Algonquian Conference |date=December 1, 2007 |volume=38 |pages=100, 103 }}</ref> There are no contemporary records that indicate the name Middlebury was taken from a place in England. The names Middlebury and Middleborough were actually derived from the city of [[Middelburg, Zeeland|Middelburg]], [[Zeeland]], the westernmost province of the Netherlands.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Middelburg was an international intellectual center and economic powerhouse. The English religious dissenters known as the [[Brownist]]s developed their governing institutions in Middelburg before emigrating on the ''Mayflower'', and were the earliest settlers of Middleborough.

During [[King Philip's War]] (1675–1676), the town's entire populace took shelter within the confines of a fort constructed along the [[Nemasket River]]. The site is located behind the old Memorial High School (now a [[kindergarten]]), and is marked by a state historical commission marker along [[Massachusetts Route 105|Route 105]].  Before long, the fort was abandoned and the population withdrew to the greater shelter of the [[Plymouth Colony]].  In their absence, the entire village was burned to the ground, and it would be several years before the town would be reestablished.<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC" />

Western Middleborough broke away on May 13, 1853, and formed the town of [[Lakeville, Massachusetts|Lakeville]], taking with it the main access to the large freshwater lakes there, including [[Assawompset Pond]].<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC" />

Middleborough was once a large producer of shoes and is still home to the [[Alden Shoe Company]], one of the last remaining shoe manufacturers in America.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aldenshoe.com/history.htm |title=History of Alden Shoe Company |access-date=April 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622223849/http://aldenshoe.com/history.htm |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The local [[Maxim Motors]] manufactured fire engines from 1914 to 1989. Middleborough has since become the location of the corporate headquarters of [[Ocean Spray (cooperative)|Ocean Spray]] Cranberries.<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC" />

Notable sights include the 1870s [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]]-style town hall and the Beaux Arts-style town library (1903). In the spring, the Nemasket River alewife and blueback herring run upstream to the Assawompset Ponds complex to spawn.<ref name="Making history since 2300 BC" />

In the summer of 2007, Middleborough became the proposed location for a controversial future resort [[casino]],<ref>[http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/06/05/friends-of-glenn-a-dense-fog?blog=145 WampaGate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929211315/http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/06/05/friends-of-glenn-a-dense-fog?blog=145 |date=September 29, 2011 }}, ''Cape Cod Today'', June 5, 2008.</ref> sponsored by the [[Wampanoag people|Wampanoag]] Tribe of [[Mashpee, Massachusetts]].<ref><!--is a 9-year-old proposal still relevant?-->[http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/07/23/news/news/news06.txt Home - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901085956/http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/07/23/news/news/news06.txt |date=September 1, 2008 }}</ref>

Teams from Middleborough have twice reached the [[Little League World Series]] (LLWS) the only Little League in the state to reach twice in the International Era (1958+). Middleborough reached the [[1994 Little League World Series|1994 edition]] by defeating [[Millburn, New Jersey|Milburn-Short Hills, New Jersey]], to take the [[Little League World Series (East Region)|East Region]] title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107537436/middleborough-thinks-world-of-little-lea/ |title=Middleborough thinks world of Little Leaguers |first=Mark |last=Singelais |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=40 |date=August 22, 1994 |accessdate=August 13, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In [[South Williamsport, Pennsylvania]], the team lost two games (to Virginia and California) and won one game (over Minnesota). They were one of only two Massachusetts Little League teams to win the East title (the other being from [[Andover, Massachusetts|Andover]] in 1988) before it was split into the [[Little League World Series (New England Region)|New England Region]] and [[Little League World Series (Mid-Atlantic Region)|Mid-Atlantic Region]] in 2001. Middleborough advanced to the [[2022 Little League World Series|2022 edition]] of the LLWS with a 10–1 win over Maine. They were the first Massachusetts team to reach South Williamsport since [[Peabody, Massachusetts|Peabody]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/5-things-to-know-as-middleborough-becomes-first-mass-team-to-make-little-league-world-series-since-2009/ar-AA10D5YJ |title=5 things to know as Middleborough becomes first Mass. team to make Little League World Series since 2009 |first=Trevor |last=Hass |website=[[Boston.com]] |via=MSN.com |date=August 13, 2022 |accessdate=August 13, 2022}}</ref>  Middleboro lost each of its two games falling 5–3 to Southeast (Tennessee) and 7–5 to Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania).<ref>{{cite news |author1=WBZ-News Staff |title=Middleboro team eliminated at Little League World Series |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/little-league-world-series-middleboro/ |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=CBS News |date=August 20, 2022}}</ref>

<gallery widths="200px" heights="135px">
Image:South Main Street, Looking North, Middleborough, MA.jpg|South Main Street in 1912
Image:Webster Street, Middleborough, MA.jpg|Webster Street {{circa|1910}}
Image:Nemasket Mill, Middleborough, MA.jpg|Nemasket Mill in 1914
Image:Bank Building, Middleborough, MA.jpg|Bank building in 1910
</gallery>

=== Profanity ban controversy ===

On June 11, 2012, Middleborough made national headlines after residents approved an ordinance outlawing the use of [[profanity]] in public, making it punishable by a $20 fine. It passed 183–50 in the town of over 23,000 residents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sanburn|first=Josh|title=What the @!#$? Cursing in Public in This Massachusetts Town Will Cost You $20|url=https://business.time.com/2012/06/13/what-the-cursing-in-public-in-this-massachusetts-town-will-cost-you-20/|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=TIME|date=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weinger|first=Mackenzie|title=Fines for swearing in public in Massachusetts town|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77329.html|access-date=July 4, 2012|newspaper=Politico|date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> Many legal experts said the law violates the [[First amendment|First Amendment to the United States Constitution]]. Dozens of residents on both sides of the issue attended a protest in front of the town hall.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harish|first=Alon|title=Public Swearing Ban Cursed at Protest in Massachusetts Town|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/cursing-ban-draws-protesters-massachusetts-town/story?id=16653252#.T_R5gPVFmS0|access-date=July 4, 2012 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The Massachusetts state director for the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] said, "the Supreme Court has ruled that the government can't prohibit public speech just because it contains profanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wric.com/story/18764112/mass-town-imposes-fine-for-public-swearing |title=Mass. Town Imposes Fine For Public Swearing |publisher=WRIC.com |date=June 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 25, 2012 |title=Opponents, supporters rally on Mass. swearing code |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/profanity-rally-protests-towns-anti-swearing-law/1919454/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=NBC Bay Area |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In October 2012, Massachusetts attorney general [[Martha Coakley]] blocked enforcement of the law, saying it was inconsistent with the Constitution, and the town ultimately backed off the profanity ban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bolton |first1=Michele Morgan |title=Martha Coakley halts profanity ban enforcement |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/10/09/coakley-upholds-middleborough-bylaw-against-profanity-antisocial-behavior/FQmNDZzIfPSv6jehAyWXJJ/story.html |access-date=July 1, 2020 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=October 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Proctor |first1=Jason |title=Taber's anti-swearing bylaw fits tradition of behaviour-busting |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taber-s-anti-swearing-bylaw-fits-tradition-of-behaviour-busting-1.2997483 |access-date=July 1, 2020 |agency=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=March 17, 2015}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|186.9|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|178.9|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|8.0|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 4.27%, is water.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Middleborough town, Plymouth County, Massachusetts| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=March 20, 2012}}</ref> Middleborough is the second largest municipality in Massachusetts in terms of area, smaller only than [[Plymouth, Massachusetts|Plymouth]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Resilient Taunton Watershed Network |title=Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and Community Resilience Building (CRB) Workshop Summary of Findings: Middleborough, MA |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/middleborough-report/download |website=mass.gov |access-date=May 16, 2023 |date=March 2020}}</ref>

Middleborough lies on the western border of Plymouth County.  It is bordered by [[Bridgewater, Massachusetts|Bridgewater]] and [[Halifax, Massachusetts|Halifax]] to the north, [[Plympton, Massachusetts|Plympton]] and [[Carver, Massachusetts|Carver]] to the east, [[Wareham, Massachusetts|Wareham]] and [[Rochester, Massachusetts|Rochester]] to the south, and [[Lakeville, Massachusetts|Lakeville]], [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]] and [[Raynham, Massachusetts|Raynham]] to the west.

The town is approximately {{convert|15|mi}} west of Plymouth, {{convert|30|mi}} east of [[Providence, Rhode Island]] and {{convert|40|mi}} south of [[Boston]].

Middleborough's rivers and brooks feed in two directions. The [[Taunton River]], [[Nemasket River]] and their tributaries flow southwestward as part of the [[Taunton River Watershed]], which empties into [[Narragansett Bay]].  The other waterways of the town, including the [[Weweantic River]], flow southward into [[Buzzards Bay]]. Along Middleborough's border with Lakeville lie the [[Assawompset Pond|Assawompset]], [[Pocksha Pond|Pocksha]] and [[Great Quittacas Pond|Great Quittacas]] ponds. [[Tispaquin Pond]], Woods Pond, and several other ponds make up the town's other bodies of water. Middleborough has four wildlife management areas, as well as the Beaver Dam and Great Cedar and Little Cedar Swamps. The town is also the site of several cranberry bogs, especially in the southeastern part of town along the Carver town line. [[Ocean Spray (cooperative)|Ocean Spray's]] headquarters are just over the town line in Lakeville.

===Climate===

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Middleboro has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated Cfa"" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Middleboro was {{convert|99|F|C|1}} on July 10, 1911, and July 23, 2011, while the coldest temperature recorded was {{convert|-26|F|C|1}} on January 5, 1904.<ref name=NOWData />

{{Weather box
|location = Middleboro, Massachusetts, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 68
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 80
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 97
|Jul record high F = 99
|Aug record high F = 97
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 86
|Nov record high F = 76
|Dec record high F = 67

|Jan avg record high F = 58.1
|Feb avg record high F = 58.3
|Mar avg record high F = 64.9
|Apr avg record high F = 76.6
|May avg record high F = 85.9
|Jun avg record high F = 89.0
|Jul avg record high F = 93.3
|Aug avg record high F = 90.5
|Sep avg record high F = 88.2
|Oct avg record high F = 77.6
|Nov avg record high F = 68.8
|Dec avg record high F = 60.6
|year avg record high F = 92.6

|Jan high F = 37.7
|Feb high F = 39.6
|Mar high F = 46.0
|Apr high F = 57.0
|May high F = 67.1
|Jun high F = 76.4
|Jul high F = 82.0
|Aug high F = 81.2
|Sep high F = 73.7
|Oct high F = 62.9
|Nov high F = 52.4
|Dec high F = 43.0
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 27.6
|Feb mean F = 29.4
|Mar mean F = 35.9
|Apr mean F = 46.3
|May mean F = 56.4
|Jun mean F = 65.7
|Jul mean F = 71.6
|Aug mean F = 70.4
|Sep mean F = 62.8
|Oct mean F = 51.9
|Nov mean F = 42.1
|Dec mean F = 33.6
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 17.4
|Feb low F = 19.2
|Mar low F = 25.9
|Apr low F = 35.6
|May low F = 45.6
|Jun low F = 55.1
|Jul low F = 61.3
|Aug low F = 59.5
|Sep low F = 51.8
|Oct low F = 40.9
|Nov low F = 31.7
|Dec low F = 24.2
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 0.1
|Feb avg record low F = 3.7
|Mar avg record low F = 12.6
|Apr avg record low F = 25.4
|May avg record low F = 34.5
|Jun avg record low F = 42.8
|Jul avg record low F = 51.4
|Aug avg record low F = 48.7
|Sep avg record low F = 37.2
|Oct avg record low F = 26.9
|Nov avg record low F = 18.6
|Dec avg record low F = 10.3
|year avg record low F = -1.4

|Jan record low F = -26
|Feb record low F = -20
|Mar record low F = -3
|Apr record low F = 13
|May record low F = 22
|Jun record low F = 32
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 35
|Sep record low F = 25
|Oct record low F = 8
|Nov record low F = 1
|Dec record low F = -11

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.44
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.76
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.80
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.83
|May precipitation inch = 3.59
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.06
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.33
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.77
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.17
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.95
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.43
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.26
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11.4
|Feb precipitation days = 10.0
|Mar precipitation days = 12.2
|Apr precipitation days = 11.6
|May precipitation days = 12.1
|Jun precipitation days = 11.2
|Jul precipitation days = 9.5
|Aug precipitation days = 9.7
|Sep precipitation days = 9.3
|Oct precipitation days = 11.4
|Nov precipitation days = 10.9
|Dec precipitation days = 12.8

|Jan snow inch = 13.5
|Feb snow inch = 13.7
|Mar snow inch = 6.8
|Apr snow inch = 1.3
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 0.4
|Dec snow inch = 5.7
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.8
|Feb snow days = 4.3
|Mar snow days = 3.0
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 0.4
|Dec snow days = 2.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 6.1
|Feb snow depth inch = 7.1
|Mar snow depth inch = 5.0
|Apr snow depth inch = 0.5
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.0
|Nov snow depth inch = 0.4
|Dec snow depth inch = 3.9
|year snow depth inch = 11.0

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00194711&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: Middleboro, MA
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=box
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Boston
|access-date = November 1, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

==Transportation==

=== Road ===

[[Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 495]] runs through the town on its way to [[Cape Cod]]. The town is also crossed by [[U.S. Route 44]], as well as Massachusetts routes [[Massachusetts Route 18|18]], [[Massachusetts Route 28|28]], [[Massachusetts Route 105|105]], and a short, {{convert|1000|ft|adj=mid}} section of [[Massachusetts Route 58|Route 58]] which passes through the southeast corner of town. Routes 18, 28 and 44 meet at a two lane [[traffic circle|rotary]] adjacent to I-495 just west of the center of town. Two of I-495's four interchanges are located there. I-495's interchange with [[Massachusetts Route 24|Route 24]] is located just {{convert|1.5|mi}} northwest of the town line.

The [[Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority]] provides public bus services along three routes in Middleboro, connecting to Wareham, Raynham, Taunton, and Lakeville, with stops including Morton Hospital, the Middleboro/Lakeville commuter rail station, and Onset beach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatra.org/index.php/routes/middleborough/|title=Routes & Schedules/Middleboro|website=Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA)|access-date=June 26, 2020}}</ref>

=== Rail ===

[[Image:Railroad Station, Middleborough, MA.jpg|thumb|right|Railroad station {{circa|1908}}]]
Since the 1840s, Middleborough has served as a major rail transportation hub for [[southeastern Massachusetts]]; at one time, five rail lines radiated out from the town.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Field Guide to Southern New England Railroad Depots and Freight Houses |author=Roy, John H. Jr. |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780942147087 |page=192}}</ref> Today, three rail lines extend from Middleborough, toward [[Boston]], [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]] and [[Cape Cod]]. All three lines intersect at a junction near the center of town. Two rail freight companies serve Middleborough: [[CSX Transportation]], which runs along the Boston and Taunton lines, and [[Massachusetts Coastal Railroad]], which runs along the Cape Cod and Taunton lines. [[Middleborough station]] is served by the [[Fall River/New Bedford Line]] of the [[MBTA Commuter Rail]] system, while [[Lakeville station]] on the Middleborough/Lakeville border is served by the seasonal ''[[CapeFlyer]]''.

The nearest inter-city ([[Amtrak]]) passenger rail stations are [[Providence station|Providence]], [[Route 128 station]] in [[Westwood, Massachusetts|Westwood]], and Boston's [[South Station]], and the nearest rapid-transit station is [[Braintree station (MBTA)|Braintree]].

=== Air ===

The nearest regional airports are [[Taunton Municipal Airport]] and [[Plymouth Municipal Airport (Massachusetts)|Plymouth Municipal Airport]], the nearest primary commercial airport is [[New Bedford Regional Airport]], and the nearest national and international airports are [[T. F. Green Airport]] in [[Warwick, Rhode Island]], and [[Logan International Airport]] in Boston. From 1954 to 1959, a small runway called [[North Middleboro Airpark]] was constructed. It was a 3,000-foot-long paved runway, although it was not depicted in the November 1954 Boston Sectional Chart. Sometime between 1982 and 1994 it was closed, as it was depicted simply as "Landing Strip" on the 1994 USGS topographic map.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Freeman |first1=Paul |title=Middleboro Airpark / Middleboro Airport |url=https://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_SE.htm#middleboro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040102075546/http://www.airfields-freeman.com/MA/Airfields_MA_SE.htm#middleboro |url-status=live |archive-date=January 2, 2004 |website=Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields |access-date=May 21, 2023 |date=July 7, 2020}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{See also|List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income}}
{{Historical populations | type=USA
 | 1850|5336
 | 1860|4553
 | 1870|4687
 | 1880|5237
 | 1890|6065
 | 1900|6885
 | 1910|8214
 | 1920|8453
 | 1930|8608
 | 1940|9032
 | 1950|10164
 | 1960|11065
 | 1970|13607
 | 1980|16404
 | 1990|17867
 | 2000|19941
 | 2010|23116
 | 2020|24245
 | 2023*|24504
 | footnote=* = population estimate.  {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref>{{cite web | title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date=October 29, 2023 | url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 19,941 people, 6,981 households, and 5,117 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|286.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 7,249 housing units at an average density of {{convert|104.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 96.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], <0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 6,981 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. Of all households, 20.4% were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.23.

The population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,755, and the median income for a family was $65,173. Males had a median income of $60,854 versus $40,570 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $75,000.

==Government==
Middleborough is represented in the [[Massachusetts House of Representatives]] as a part of three separate districts: the Tenth and Twelfth Bristol and Twelfth Plymouth.  The town is represented in the [[Massachusetts Senate]] as a part of the First Plymouth and Bristol district, which also includes Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Dighton, Marion, Raynham, Taunton and Wareham.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm |title=Index of Legislative Representation by City and Town, from Mass.gov |access-date=February 18, 2007 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115141/http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The town is home to the Fourth Barracks of Troop D of the [[Massachusetts State Police]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mass.gov/|title=Mass.gov|website=www.mass.gov}}</ref> On the national level, Middleborough is a part of [[Massachusetts's 9th congressional district]], and is currently represented by [[William R. Keating]].

Middleborough is governed by the [[open town meeting]] form of government, which is led by a [[town manager]] and a [[board of selectmen]]. The town's services are centralized downtown, with the fire and police headquarters being southeast, and the central post office being northwest of it. The town library is also located downtown.

A second part-time fire department is operated further south along Route 28 in South Middleboro. A third, temporary station was built in the 2000s as the surrogate home for the downtown facility, which was closed for substantial renovations. This third station, near the rotary north of the center of town, has subsequently been closed.

Construction on a new police station began in July 2017, with an estimated budget of $9.14 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/20170617/middleboro-breaks-ground-on-new-police-station|title=Middleboro breaks ground on new police station}}</ref> The police station was finished early 2019 and is now in use.

==Education==

Middleborough has its own school system, headed by a school committee and superintendent. There is one school for kindergarten children, the Memorial Early Childhood Center, housed in the old junior high (previously the old high school). It opened in September 2007 after a $13 million renovation. The Mary K. Goode Elementary and the Henry B. Burkland Elementary Schools serve grades 1 through 5. The John T. "Tiger" Nichols, Jr. Middle School (1999) serves grades 6 through 8, and the [[Middleborough High School]] serves grades 9 through 12.  Middleborough High's mascot is the "[[Sachem]]", and their colors are black and orange. Other sports teams in town include the semi-pro football team the Middleborough Cobras and the middle school baseball team the Tigers.

Middleborough is also home to the Frederick L. Chamberlain School, a private institution that serves students from around the world struggling with learning disabilities.

In 1856, Middleborough-born, [[Baltimore]] businessman-wholesale hardware merchant, banker, and steamship line owner, [[Enoch Pratt]], (1808–1896), established as one of his first philanthropies in The Pratt Free School, later adding additional bequests upon its incorporation in 1865. It later became a grammar school, preparing students for entering the [[Middleborough High School]]. Later in 1882–1886, he endowed the [[Enoch Pratt Free Library]], the nation's first circulating, public library system (with a central library and five branches) and later further endowed a mental health institution, the [[Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital]].

The Middleborough campus of [[Massasoit Community College]] is also located here.

In November 2017, "Middleboro voters approved a $103 million dollar plan to construct a new Middleborough High School building and campus." The project started in February 2019 and was completed in the spring of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20171108/voters-support-new-middleborough-high-school-plan-by-2-to-1-margin|title=Voters support new Middleborough High School plan by 2 to 1 margin}}</ref>

==Notable people==
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[[Image:Gen. Tom Thumb House, Middleborough, MA.jpg|thumb|right|275px|[[Tom Thumb House (Middleborough, Massachusetts)|General Tom Thumb House]] in 1914]]
* [[Isaac Backus]], Baptist pastor and founding father during American Revolution
* [[Joseph Barker (Massachusetts politician)|Joseph Barker]], minister and congressman
* [[Samuel Breck (general)|Samuel Breck]], general<ref name="Middleborough, Massachusetts">{{cite web|url= http://www.city-data.com/city/Middleborough-Massachusetts.html|title=  Middleborough, Massachusetts|publisher=City-Data.com |access-date= June 25, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Ebenezer N. Briggs]], Speaker of [[Vermont House of Representatives]] and President Pro Tem of [[Vermont Senate]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Carleton|first1=Hiram|title=Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation|date=2003|publisher=Genealogical Publishing Com|page=645|isbn=9780806347943|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Cr5seuiQ2wC&q=ebenezer+briggs+middleborough+ma+1801&pg=RA1-PA645|access-date=June 26, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Wayne Maurice Caron]], sailor, [[Medal of Honor]] recipient KIA
* [[Corey Carrier]], child actor<ref name="Middleborough, Massachusetts"/>
* [[Howard A. Coffin]], congressman
* [[Rick Fuller]], professional wrestler
* [[Daniel J. Kelleher]], banker and businessman
* [[Erik Lindgren]], composer
* [[Count Primo Magri]], dwarf celebrity with entertainment shows and circuses of [[P. T. Barnum]] 
* [[Sean Newcomb]],  professional baseball player with [[Boston Red Sox]] (and previously with several other MLB teams), first-round selection (15th overall) in [[2014 MLB Draft]]; made MLB debut June 10, 2017
* [[Enoch Pratt]] (1808–1896), businessman, industrialist, banker, founder 1856–1865 of Pratt Free School in Middleborough and [[Enoch Pratt Free Library]] in [[Baltimore]]; endowed [[The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital|Sheppard-Pratt Hospital]] in [[Towson, Maryland]]<ref name="Middleborough, Massachusetts"/>
* [[Patrick Regan (Medal of Honor, 1882)|Patrick Regan]], army officer
* [[Deborah Sampson]], female soldier of American Revolution who dressed as a man to serve in combat
* [[Jay Allen Sanford]], co-creator of Rock 'N' Roll Comics, [[Revolutionary Comics]], [[Carnal Comics]], and columnist/cartoonist for [[San Diego Reader]]
* [[Ebenezer Sproat]], [[Continental Army]] colonel, pioneer, surveyor and [[Sheriffs in the United States#Ohio|first sheriff]] of [[Northwest Territory]] and [[Ohio]]<ref name="Middleborough, Massachusetts"/>
* [[Cephas Thompson]], portrait painter
* [[General Tom Thumb]], stage name of Charles Sherwood Stratton, dwarf celebrity with [[P. T. Barnum]]
* [[Glenn Tufts]], pro baseball player and scout
* [[Walt Uzdavinis]], football player for the [[Cleveland Rams]]
* [[Lavinia Warren]], dwarf with [[P. T. Barnum]] who married Gen. [[Tom Thumb]] and later Count Primo Magri<ref name="Middleborough, Massachusetts"/>
* [[Minnie Warren]], dwarf with P. T. Barnum

==Points of interest==
* [[Tom Thumb House (Middleborough, Massachusetts)|Tom Thumb House]], home of [[General Tom Thumb]] and [[Lavinia Warren]]
* [[Middleborough Historical Museum]], with extensive collection of [[Tom Thumb]] and [[Lavinia Warren]] items
* [[Robbins Museum of Archaeology]], collections focused on the prehistory of New England's Native Americans

==See also==
*[[Pierce Academy]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Middleborough}}
* [http://www.middleborough.com Town of Middleborough official website]
* [http://www.midlib.org Middleborough Public Library]
* [https://www.facebook.com/HerringFriends Friends of the Herring Run]
* [https://www.discovermiddleborough.com Middleborough Tourism Committee]

{{Greater Boston}}
{{Plymouth County, Massachusetts}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Middleborough, Massachusetts| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Towns in Plymouth County, Massachusetts]]