31-01-2025
Middleboro was once one of largest towns in the U.S. Surprising story of when, why
MIDDLEBORO — Most people think of Middleboro as a quiet town. But the municipality was once one of the largest settlements in the early United States.
According to data from the 1790 United States Census, Middleboro had a population of 4,526, which meant it was 16th largest settlement in the United States at the time.
That meant that in 1790, Middleboro had a larger population than New Haven, Connecticut (population: 4,487) or Albany, New York (population: 3,498).
Of course, Albany and New Haven have seen enormous population growth since 1790 and currently have populations of about 100,000 people each. Meanwhile, Middleboro has a population of just 24,245, according to 2020 Census data. According to that 2020 data, Middleboro is only the 84 most populous city or town in Massachusetts, let alone the entire United States.
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The 1790 Census has historical significance because it is the first decennial census conducted by the United States government, according to the National Archives.
The United States constitution requires the federal government to take a census of the population of the country every 10 years. The data from the census is used for a lot of different purposes, such as determining how many representatives each state is given in the United States House of Representatives.
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Middleboro wasn't the only Massachusetts municipality to record a large population in the 1790 census.
Of the top 25 most populous locations in the country recorded by the 1790 census, seven were located in Massachusetts.
Boston was the third most populous city in 1790 with a population of 18,320. Only New York City and Philadelphia had larger populations at the time.
Salem, Marblehead, Gloucester, Newburyport, and Nantucket were the five other Massachusetts settlements that cracked the top 25.
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The town of Lakeville used to be part of the town of Middleboro, before Lakeville split from Middleboro in 1853.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Middleboro, MA, was once one of biggest cities or towns in the U.S.
