Dedham, Massachusetts

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Dedham, Massachusetts
Town
Coordinates: 42.2418°N 71.1662°W / 42.2418; -71.1662 Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
County	Norfolk
Settled	1635
Incorporated	1636
Government
• Type	Representative town meeting
Area
• Total	10.7 sq mi (27.6 km2)
• Land	10.5 sq mi (27.1 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation	148 ft (45 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	25,364
• Density	2,400/sq mi (920/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	02026, 02027
Area code(s)	781
FIPS code	25-16795
GNIS feature ID	0618310
Website	www.dedham-ma.gov

Dedham is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on the southwest border of Boston. The population was 25,364 at the 2020 census. Dedham is the county seat of Norfolk County.

History

Dedham was first settled by European settlers in 1635. It was officially incorporated in 1636. The town was named after Dedham, Essex, in England. Dedham is known for its rich history, including the establishment of the first tax-supported public school in America, the Dedham Public School, in 1643.

Geography

Dedham is located at 42.2418°N 71.1662°W / 42.2418; -71.1662

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. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.6 km², of which 27.1 km² is land and 0.5 km² is water. The town is bordered by Needham to the northwest, Westwood to the southwest, Canton to the southeast, and Boston to the northeast.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 25,364 people, 9,568 households, and 6,529 families residing in the town. The population density was 936.1 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 85.6% White, 5.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.8% Asian, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

Education

Dedham is served by the Dedham Public Schools system, which includes Dedham High School. The town is also home to several private schools, including Noble and Greenough School and Ursuline Academy.

Government

Dedham operates under a representative town meeting form of government. The town has a Board of Selectmen, which is responsible for the executive functions of the town government.

Points of Interest

• Fairbanks House - The oldest surviving timber-frame house in North America.
• Dedham Historical Society - A museum and library dedicated to preserving the history of Dedham.
• Mother Brook - The first man-made canal in North America.

Notable People

• John Endecott - Early governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• Fisher Ames - American statesman and orator.

Related Pages

• Norfolk County, Massachusetts
• Dedham Public Schools
• Fairbanks House (Dedham, Massachusetts)
• Mother Brook