Somerville, Massachusetts

Somerville, Massachusetts
City
Davis Square, Somerville
Motto: 
"Municipal Freedom Gives National Strength"
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts
Somerville
Location in the United States
Somerville
Somerville (the United States)
Coordinates: 42°23′15″N 71°06′00″W / 42.38750°N 71.10000°W / 42.38750; -71.10000
Country United States
State Massachusetts
CountyMiddlesex
RegionNew England
Settled1629
Purchased1639
Incorporated (town)1842
Incorporated (city)1872
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorJake Wilson (D)
Area
 • Total
4.22 sq mi (10.94 km2)
 • Land4.12 sq mi (10.68 km2)
 • Water0.10 sq mi (0.26 km2)
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
81,045
 • Density19,653.3/sq mi (7,588.17/km2)
Demonym(s)Somervillian, Villen
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes
02143–02145
Area code617 / 857
FIPS code25-62535
GNIS ID0612815
Websitesomervillema.gov

Somerville (/ˈsʌmərvɪl/ SUM-ər-vil) is a city located directly to the northwest of Boston, and north of Cambridge, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the city had a total population of 81,045 people. With an area of 4.12 square miles (10.7 km2), the city has a density of 19,671/sq mi (7,595/km2), making it the most densely populated municipality in New England and the 19th most densely populated incorporated municipality in the country. Somerville was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from Charlestown. In 2006, the city was named the best-run city in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe. In 1972, 2009, and 2015, the city received the All-America City Award. It is home to Tufts University, which has its campus along the Somerville and Medford border.