Attleboro is a city located in Bristol County, Massachusetts and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The city is sometimes jokingly called "the 'Boro" by younger residents.
Attleboro is located at 41°55'41" North, 71°18'52" West (41.928099, -71.314564).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 73.2 km2 (28.3 mi2). 71.3 km2 (27.5 mi2) of it is land and 2.0 km2 (0.8 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.72% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 42,068 people, 16,019 households, and 10,924 families residing in the city. The population density is 590.4/km2 (1,529.1/mi2). There are 16,554 housing units at an average density of 232.3/km2 (601.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 91.30% White, 1.64% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.82% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 4.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 16,019 households out of which 33.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 25.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $50,807, and the median income for a family is $59,112. Males have a median income of $40,331 versus $28,769 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,660. 6.2% of the population and 3.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Attleboro was incorporated from part of Rehoboth in 1694 as the Town of Attleborough. It was re-incorporated in 1914 as the City of Attleboro. Attleboro included the town of North Attleborough until 1887, and Cumberland, Rhode Island until 1747. When the city re-incorporated in 1914, the final "ugh" was removed from the name.
During the colonial period, Nathaniel Woodcock lived in North Attleboro. During the Native American insurgency Woodcock's son was murdered and his head was placed on a pole in his front yard. The house where Woodcock lived is now a historical monument.
It is rumored George Washington once passed through and stayed near the Woodcock Garrison House at the Hatch Tavern where he swapped one shoe buckle with Nathan Hatch, Revolutionary Soldier and new owner of the Garrison House.
The city became known for jewellery manufacturing, notably through the L.G. Balfour Company starting in 1913. However, the company has since moved out of the city, with the site of the former plant turned into a riverfront park.