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'{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Lowell, Massachusetts | official_name = City of Lowell | settlement_type = [[City]] | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = Lowell City Hall; Lowell, MA; southwest side; 2011-08-20.JPG | photo1b = Mill Building (now museum), Lowell, Massachusetts.JPG | photo2a = Coburn Hall.jpg | photo2b = Lowell skyline.jpg | size = 280 | spacing = 1 | color = Transparent | border = 0 | foot_montage = Left-right from top: Lowell City Hall, [[Lowell mills]], [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]], Lowell Skyline }} | imagesize = | image_caption = | image_flag = Lowellflag.png | image_seal = LowellMA-seal.png | nickname = Mill City, Spindle City, City of Lights City of Magic | motto = "Art is the Handmaid of Human Good."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/clerk/faq#origin|title= FAQ City of Lowell, Massachusetts|publisher= City of Lowell, Massachusetts|access-date= July 10, 2013|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120605135337/http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/clerk/faq#origin|archive-date= June 5, 2012}}</ref> | image_map = Middlesex County Massachusetts incorporated and unincorporated areas Lowell highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | pushpin_map = USA Massachusetts#USA | pushpin_label = Lowell | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States | coordinates = {{coord|42|38|22|N|71|18|53|W|region:US-MA_type:city|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] | subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Massachusetts}} | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Massachusetts|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex]] | subdivision_type3 = [[List of regions of the United States|Region]] | subdivision_name3 = New England | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1653 | established_title2 = Incorporated | established_date2 = 1826 | established_title3 = A city | established_date3 = 1836 | government_type = [[Council-manager government|Manager-City council]] | leader_title = [[Mayor]] | leader_name = John Leahy | leader_title1 = [[City Manager]] | leader_name1 = [[Eileen Donoghue]] | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 37.63 | area_total_sq_mi = 14.53 | area_land_km2 = 35.25 | area_land_sq_mi = 13.61 | area_water_km2 = 2.38 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.92 | elevation_m = 31 | elevation_ft = 102 | population_total = 106519 | population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]] | population_density_km2 = 3148.77 | population_density_sq_mi = 8155.55 | population_blank2_title = [[Demonym]] | population_blank2 = Lowellian | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 01850, 01851, 01852, 01853, 01854 | area_code = [[Area code 978|978]] / [[Area code 351|351]] | website = [http://www.lowellma.gov/ City of Lowell, Massachusetts] | footnotes = | timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]] | utc_offset = &minus;5 | timezone_DST = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|Eastern]] | utc_offset_DST = &minus;4 | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 25-37000 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 0611832 | pop_est_as_of = 2019 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> | population_est = 110997 | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_25.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> }} '''Lowell''' ({{IPAc-en|'|l|oʊ|ə|l}}) is a city in the U.S. [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Massachusetts]]. The city is, along with [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], one of two traditional [[county seat]]s for [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County]], although most county government entities were disbanded in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepublicrecords.com/pages/quickfacts-census-gov/25017-html|title=Middlesex County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |website=thepublicrecords.com |publisher= ThePublicRecords.com }}</ref> With an estimated population of 110,997 in 2019,<ref name="USCensusEst2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> it was the [[List of municipalities in Massachusetts by population|fourth-largest city]] in Massachusetts as of the last census and is estimated to be the fifth-largest as of 2018, and the second-largest in the [[Greater Boston|Boston metropolitan statistical area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/usa-metro-bostoncambridgenewtonmanh.php|title=Boston - Cambridge - Newton, MA-NH Metropolitan Statistical Area (USA): Places - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts}}</ref> The city is also part of a smaller [[Massachusetts statistical area]] called [[Greater Lowell]], as well as [[New England]]'s [[Merrimack Valley]] region. Incorporated in 1826 to serve as a [[mill town]], Lowell was named after [[Francis Cabot Lowell (businessman)|Francis Cabot Lowell]], a local figure in the [[Industrial Revolution]]. The city became known as the cradle of the [[American Industrial Revolution]], due to a large [[Lowell mills|series of textile mills]] and factories. Many of the Lowell's historic manufacturing sites were later preserved by the [[National Park Service]] to create [[Lowell National Historical Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nps.gov/lowe/index.htm|title=Lowell National Historical Park |website=nps.gov |publisher= U.S. Department of the Interior }}</ref> During the [[Cambodian genocide]], the city took in an influx of refugees, leading to a [[Cambodia Town]] and America's second-largest [[Cambodian-American]] population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/06/08/monument-lowell-cambodian-community-past-and-its-progress/4YcAuLibteDmMoVyJqaMqM/story.html|title=Monument in Lowell the Cambodian community's past and its progress - The Boston Globe}}</ref> Lowell is home to two [[higher education|institutions of higher education]]. ==History== [[File:Merrimack and Concord.jpg|thumb|left|The Massachusetts Mill at the confluence of the [[Merrimack River|Merrimack]] and [[Concord River|Concord]] Rivers; across the Cox Bridge are the Boott Mills; in the upper left is the historic Lowell Sun building with its iconic sign on top.]] {{Main|History of Lowell, Massachusetts|Timeline of Lowell, Massachusetts}} Founded in the 1820s as a planned [[manufacturing]] center for [[textile]]s, Lowell is located along the rapids of the [[Merrimack River]], {{cvt|25|mile}} northwest of [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] in what was once the farming community of East [[Chelmsford, Massachusetts]]. The so-called [[Boston Associates]], including [[Nathan Appleton]] and [[Patrick Tracy Jackson]] of the [[Boston Manufacturing Company]], named the new mill town after their visionary leader, [[Francis Cabot Lowell (businessman)|Francis Cabot Lowell]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3011|title=Profile for Lowell, Massachusetts, MA|publisher=ePodunk|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515115200/http://epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=3011|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> who had died five years before its 1823 incorporation. As Lowell's population grew, it acquired land from neighboring towns, and diversified into a full-fledged urban center. Many of the men who composed the labor force for constructing the canals and factories had immigrated from [[Ireland]], escaping the poverty and [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Famines]] of the 1830s and 1840s. The mill workers, young single women called [[Mill Girls]], generally came from the farm families of New England. [[File:Saint Anne's Episcopal Church; Lowell, MA; south (front) side; 2011-08-20.JPG|thumbnail|right|Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, built 1824]] By the 1850s, Lowell had the largest industrial complex in the United States. The textile industry wove cotton produced in the South. In 1860, there were more cotton spindles in Lowell than in all eleven states combined that would form the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]].<ref>Stephen J. Goldfarb, "A Note on Limits to Growth of the Cotton-Textile Industry in the Old South," ''Journal of Southern History'', 48, (1982), 545.</ref> Yet the city did not simply finish raw materials produced in the American South, but rather became involved in the South in another way, too. Many of the coarse cottons produced in Lowell eventually returned to the South to clothe enslaved people, and, according to historian Sven Beckert, "'Lowell' became the generic term slaves used to describe coarse cottons."<ref>{{Cite book|title = Empire of Cotton: a Global History|last = Beckert|first = Sven|publisher = Knopf|year = 2014|location = New York}}</ref> The city continued to thrive as a major industrial center during the 19th century, attracting more migrant workers and immigrants to its mills. Next were the [[Catholic Germans]], followed by a large influx of [[French Canadians]] during the 1870s and 1880s. Later waves of immigrants came to work in Lowell and settled in ethnic neighborhoods, with the city's population reaching almost 50% foreign-born by 1900.<ref name="Yankee">[http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2009-11/features/lowell-timeline/1 Marion, Paul, "Timeline of Lowell History From 1600s to 2009"], ''[[Yankee Magazine|Yankee]]'' magazine, November 2009.</ref> By the time [[World War I]] broke out in Europe, the city had reached its economic and population peak of over 110,000 people. The Mill Cities' manufacturing base declined as companies began to relocate to [[Southern United States|the South]] in the 1920s.<ref name="Yankee" /> The city fell into hard times, and was even referred to as a "depressed industrial desert" by ''Harper's Magazine'' in 1931, as the Great Depression worsened. At this time, more than one-third of its population was "on relief", as only three of its major textile corporations remained active.<ref name="Yankee" /> Several years later, the mills were reactivated, making [[parachute]]s and other military necessities for the [[World War II]] effort. However, this economic boost was short-lived and the post-war years saw the last textile plants close. [[File:Abandoned mill in Lowell.jpg|thumbnail|left|Mills sat abandoned after industry left the city in the early twentieth century.]] == Zoning, development and the Massachusetts Miracle == In the 1970s, Lowell became part of the [[Massachusetts Miracle]], being the headquarters of [[Wang Laboratories]]. At the same time, Lowell became home to thousands of new immigrants, many from [[Cambodia]], following the [[genocide]] at the hands of the [[Khmer Rouge]]. The city continued to rebound, but this time, focusing more on culture. The former mill district along the river was partially restored and became part of the [[Lowell National Historical Park]], founded in the late 1970s.[[File:Lowell Park HQ.jpg|thumbnail|left|Former mill agent's house]] Although Wang went bankrupt in 1992, the city continued its cultural focus by hosting the nation's largest free folk festival, the [[Lowell Folk Festival]], as well as many other cultural events. This effort began to attract other companies and families back to the urban center. Additional historic manufacturing and commercial buildings were [[adaptive reuse|adapted]] as residential units and office space. By the 1990s, Lowell had built a new ballpark and arena, which became home to two minor league sports teams, the [[Lowell Devils]] and [[Lowell Spinners]]. The city also began to have a larger student population. The [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] and [[Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)|Middlesex Community College]] expanded their programs and enrollment. During the period of time when Lowell was part of the Massachusetts Miracle, the Lowell City Development Authority created a Comprehensive Master Plan which included recommendations for zoning adaptations within the city. The city's original zoning code was adopted in 1926 and was significantly revised in 1966 and 2004, with changes included to respond to concerns about overdevelopment.<ref>City of Lowell Master Plan Update: Existing Conditions Report, Department of Planning and Development, December 2011, 3.0 Land-Use pg 31</ref> In 2002, in lieu of updating the Comprehensive Master Plan, more broad changes were recommended so that the land use and development would be consistent with the current master plan. The most significant revision to the 1966 zoning code is the adoption of an inclusion of a [[transect-based zoning code]] and some aspects of a [[form-based code]] style of zoning that emphasizes urban design elements as a means to ensure that infill development will respect the character of the neighborhood or district in question. By 2004, the recommended zoning changes were unanimously adopted by the City Council and despite numerous changes to the 2004 Zoning Code, it remains the basic framework for resolving zoning issues in Lowell to this day.<ref>City of Lowell Master Plan Update: Existing Conditions Report, Department of Planning and Development, December 2011, 3.0 Land-Use pg 32</ref> [[File:Pawtucket Canal at Central St looking west, Lowell MA.jpg|thumbnail|right|Pawtucket Canal]] The [[Hamilton Canal District]] (HCD) is the first district in Lowell in which regulation and development is defined by Form-Based Code (HCD-FBC) and legislated by its own guiding framework consistent to the HCD Master Plan.<ref>Hamilton Canal District Form-Based Code Zoning Section, City of Lowell Zoning Section 10.3, February 2009 pg 4</ref> The HCD is a major redevelopment project that comprises 13-acres of vacant, underutilized land in downtown Lowell abutting former industrial mills. [[Trinity Financial]] was elected as the Master Developer to recreate this district with a vision of making a mixed-use neighborhood. Development plans included establishing the HCD as a gateway to downtown Lowell and enhanced connectivity to [[Lowell (MBTA station)|Gallagher Terminal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trinityfinancial.com/sub/hamiltoncanal.php |title=Hamilton Canal District, Lowell, Massachusetts |website=trinityfinancial.com |publisher=Trinity Financial LLC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125014/http://www.trinityfinancial.com/sub/hamiltoncanal.php |archive-date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref><ref>Hamilton Canal District Master Plan, September 2008 pg. 6</ref> ==Geography== [[File:Lowell From the Air.JPG|thumb|left|Aerial view of LeLacheur Park and the UMass-Lowell campus]] [[File:1876 bird's eye view of Lowell, Massachusetts; colored.jpg|thumbnail|right|Lowell in 1876]] Lowell is located at {{Coord|42|38|22|N|71|18|53|W|type:city}} (42.639444, -71.314722).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.5|sqmi|km2}} of which {{convert|13.8|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi|km2}} (5.23%) is water. === Climate === Lowell features a four-season [[Humid continental climate]], with long and very cold winters, which typically experience an average {{cvt|56|inch}} of snowfall, with the highest ever recorded seasonal snowfall being {{cvt|120|inch}}. Summers are hot and humid, and of average length, with autumn and spring are brief transition periods between the two. On average, temperature in Lowell ranges from {{cvt|64 to 84|°F}} in the summer months, and between {{cvt|2 and 33|°F}} in the winter months, with the yearly average being {{cvt|49|°F}}. ===Physical=== [[File:1975 map of canal system in Lowell, Massachusetts.png|thumb|right|Central Lowell's canal system (1975) The city limits extend in all directions from this central core.]] Lowell is located at the [[confluence]] of the [[Merrimack River|Merrimack]] and [[Concord River|Concord]] rivers. The [[Pawtucket Falls (Massachusetts)|Pawtucket Falls]], a mile-long set of rapids with a total drop in elevation of 32 feet, ends where the two rivers meet. At the top of the falls is the Pawtucket Dam, designed to turn the upper Merrimack into a [[millpond]], diverted through Lowell's extensive canal system. The Merrimack, which flows southerly from [[Franklin, New Hampshire]] to Lowell, makes a northeasterly turn there before emptying into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] at [[Newburyport, Massachusetts]], approximately {{cvt|40|mile}} downriver from Lowell. It is believed that in prior ages, the Merrimack continued south from Lowell to empty into the ocean somewhere near [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]. The glacial deposits that redirected the flow of the river left the [[drumlin]]s that dot the city, most notably, Fort Hill in the Belvidere neighborhood. Other large hills in Lowell include Lynde Hill, also in Belvidere, and Christian Hill, in the easternmost part of Centralville at the [[Dracut, Massachusetts|Dracut]] town line. The Concord, or Musketaquid (its original name), forms from the confluence of the [[Assabet River|Assabet]] and [[Sudbury River|Sudbury]] rivers at [[Concord, Massachusetts]]. This river flows north into the city, and the area around the confluence with the Merrimack was known as Wamesit. Like the Merrimack, the Concord, although a much smaller river, has many waterfalls and rapids that served as power sources for early industrial purposes, some well before the founding of Lowell. Immediately after the Concord joins the Merrimack, the Merrimack descends another ten feet in Hunt's Falls. There is a ninety-degree bend in the Merrimack partway down the Pawtucket Falls. At this point, the river briefly widens and shallows. Here, [[Beaver Brook (Merrimack River)|Beaver Brook]] enters from the north, separating the city's two northern neighborhoods, [[Pawtucketville]] and Centralville. Entering the Concord River from the southwest is River Meadow, or Hale's Brook. This brook flows largely in a man-made channel, as the [[Lowell Connector]] was built along it. Both of these minor streams have limited industrial histories as well. The bordering towns (clockwise from north) are [[Dracut, Massachusetts|Dracut]], [[Tewksbury, Massachusetts|Tewksbury]], [[Billerica, Massachusetts|Billerica]], [[Chelmsford, Massachusetts|Chelmsford]], and [[Tyngsborough, Massachusetts|Tyngsborough]]. The border with Billerica is a point in the middle{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} of the Concord River where Lowell and Billerica meet Tewksbury and Chelmsford. The ten communities designated part of the Lowell Metropolitan area by the 2000 US Census are [[Billerica, Massachusetts|Billerica]], [[Chelmsford, Massachusetts|Chelmsford]], [[Dracut, Massachusetts|Dracut]], [[Dunstable, Massachusetts|Dunstable]], [[Groton, Massachusetts|Groton]], Lowell, [[Pepperell, Massachusetts|Pepperell]], [[Tewksbury, Massachusetts|Tewksbury]], [[Tyngsborough, Massachusetts|Tyngsborough]], and [[Westford, Massachusetts|Westford]], and [[Pelham, New Hampshire|Pelham, NH]]. See [[Greater Lowell]]. ===Neighborhoods=== [[File:North Common Village, with Saint Jean-Baptiste Church in background; Lowell, MA; 2011-09-03.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Acre neighborhood]] Lowell has eight distinct neighborhoods: the Acre, Back Central, Belvidere, Centralville, Downtown, Highlands, Pawtucketville, and South Lowell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/planning/neighborhoods|title=City of Lowell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513014638/http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/planning/neighborhoods|archive-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref> The city also has five [[ZIP code]]s: four are geographically distinct general ZIP codes, and one (01853) is for post-office boxes only. The '''Centralville''' neighborhood, ZIP Code 01850, is the northeastern section of the city, north of the Merrimack River and east of [[Beaver Brook (Merrimack River)|Beaver Brook]]. Christian Hill is the section of Centralville east of Bridge Street. The '''Highlands''', ZIP Code 01851, is the most populated neighborhood, with almost a quarter of the city residing here. It is located in the southwestern section of the city, bordered to the east by the Lowell Connector and to the north by the railroad. Lowellians further distinguish the sections of the Highlands as the Upper Highlands and the Lower Highlands, the latter being the area closer to downtown. Middlesex Village, Tyler Park, and Drum Hill are in this ZIP Code. The Upper Highlands also includes the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell|University of Massachusetts Lowell, South Campus]] (Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Health Sciences & Education). '''Downtown''', '''Belvidere''', '''Back Central''', and '''South Lowell''' make up the 01852 ZIP Code, and are the southeastern sections of the city (south of the [[Merrimack River]] and southeast of the Lowell Connector). Belvidere is the mostly residential area south of the Merrimack River, east of the Concord River, and north of the Lowell and Lawrence railroad. [[Belvidere Hill Historic District]] runs along Fairmount Street. Lower Belvidere is the section west of Nesmith Street. [[Rogers Fort Hill Park Historic District]], [[Lowell Cemetery]], and [[Shedd Park (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Shedd Park]] are this side of town.Back Central is an urban area south of downtown, toward the mouth of River Meadow Brook. South Lowell is the area south of the railroad and east of the Concord River. Other neighborhoods in this ZIP Code are Ayers City, Bleachery, Chapel Hill, the Grove, Oaklands, Riverside Park, Swede Village, and Wigginville. Although the use of the names of these smaller neighborhoods has been in decline in the past decades, there has been recently a reemergence of their use. Downtown Lowell includes the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]] East Campus which consists of university housing, recreation facilities, research and the [[Tsongas Center|university's sports arena]], as well as the [[Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)|Middlesex Community College]]. '''Pawtucketville''', the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]], North Campus; and the '''Acre''' make up the 01854 ZIP Code. The Northwestern portion of the city includes the neighborhood where [[Jack Kerouac]] resided around the area of University Avenue (previously known as Moody Street). The North Campus of [[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]] (Colleges of Engineering, Sciences and Business) is in Pawtucketville near the Lowell General Hospital. The older parts of the neighborhood are around University Avenue and [[Mammoth Road]], whereas the newer parts are around Varnum Avenue. Middle and elementary schools for this area include Wang Middle School, Pawtucketville Memorial, McAvinnue Elementary School, and private school Ste Jeanne d'Arc. Pawtucketville is the official entrance to the [[Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest|Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest]], the site of an historic Native American tribe, and in the age of the Industrial Revolution was a prominent source of granite used in canals and factory foundations.<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ldtf.htm Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest]</ref> == Demographics == {{Historical populations |type= USA |1830|6474 |1840|20796 |1850|33383 |1860|36827 |1870|40928 |1880|59475 |1890|77696 |1900|94969 |1910|106294 |1920|112759 |1930|100234 |1940|101389 |1950|97249 |1960|92107 |1970|94239 |1980|92418 |1990|103439 |2000|105167 |2010|106519 |2019|110997 |source=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref></center> |footnote=* = population estimate. {{Historical populations/Massachusetts municipalities references}}<ref name="1950_Census_Urban_populations_since_1790">{{cite journal |title=1950 Census of Population|volume=1: Number of Inhabitants|at=Section 6, Pages 21-7 through 21-09, Massachusetts Table 4. Population of Urban Places of 10,000 or more from Earliest Census to 1920|publisher=Bureau of the Census|access-date=July 12, 2011|year=1952|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch06.pdf}}</ref> }} '''Population Density:''' According to the 2010 [[Census]],<ref name="2010_Census_demographic_profile">{{cite web | title=Table DP-1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010; 2010 Demographic Profile Data | publisher=US Census Bureau | access-date=February 26, 2012 | url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US2537000| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212134110/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US2537000| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref> there were 106,519 people living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|7,842.1|pd/sqmi}}. There were 41,431 housing units at an average density of {{cvt|2,865.5|/sqmi}}. '''Household Size''': 2010, there were 38,470 households, and 23,707 families living in Lowell; the average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.31. Of those households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.4% were non-families, 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="2010_Census_demographic_profile" /> '''Age Distributions:''' Lowell has also experienced a significant increase in the number of residents between the ages of 50-69 while the percentages of residents under the age of 15 and over the age of 70 decreased.<ref name="Sustainable Lowell 2025">{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellma.gov/dpd/devservices/Documents/Land%20Board%20Regulations/Final%20Master%20Plan.pdf|title=Sustainable Lowell 2025|website=lowellma.gov|page=xx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221182144/http://www.lowellma.gov/dpd/devservices/Documents/Land%20Board%20Regulations/Final%20Master%20Plan.pdf|archive-date=February 21, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> In 2010 the city's population had a [[median]] age of 32.6.<ref name="2010_Census_age_groups_and_and_sex">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/0400000US25.06000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202839/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/0400000US25.06000|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|title=Table QT-P1: Age Groups and Sex: 2010; 2010 Census Summary File 1|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref> The [[age distribution]] was 23.7% of the population under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males; while for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.<ref name="2010_Census_age_groups_and_and_sex" /> '''Median Income:''' for a household in the city was $51,714, according to the [[American Community Survey]] 5-year estimate ending in 2012.<ref name="US Bureau Quick Facts 2012">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/25/2537000.html|title=State and County Quick Facts: Lowell (city) Massachusetts|website=US Census Bureau Quick Facts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104173010/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/25/2537000.html|archive-date=November 4, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=December 7, 2014}}</ref> The median income for a family was $55,852. Males had a median income of $44,739 versus $35,472 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,730. About 15.2% of families and 17.5% of individuals were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="2010_ACS_economic_characteristics">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/1600000US2537000|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212102753/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/1600000US2537000|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-12|title=Table DP03 -- SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS; 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|publisher=US Census Bureau, 2006-2010 American Community Survey}}</ref> '''Racial Makeup:''' In 2010, the ethnic diversity of the city was 60.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (49.3% [[Non-Hispanic White]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_1YR_DP05&prodType=table |title=Lowell (city), Massachusetts |work=American Community Survey 2013 1-year estimates |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102154030/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_13_1YR_DP05&prodType=table |archive-date=January 2, 2016 }}</ref>), 20.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian American]] (12.5% Cambodian, 2.0% Indian, 1.7% Vietnamese, 1.4% Laotian), 6.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 8.8% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], 3.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 17.3% of the population. The largest Hispanic group was those of Puerto Rican ancestry, comprising 11.3% of the population. '''African Immigrants:''' In 2010 there were about 6,000 people of recent African heritage living in Lowell making up nearly the entire African American population of the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethnicity in Lowell: Lowell National Historical Park Ethnographic Overview and Assessment|url=http://library.uml.edu/Clh/OH/ETHNO/Ethnicity%20in%20Lowell.pdf |via=University of Lowell, Massachusetts Libraries|publisher=National Park Service|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150726000122/http://library.uml.edu/Clh/OH/ETHNO/Ethnicity%20in%20Lowell.pdf |archive-date = 26 July 2015}}</ref> '''Cambodian-American Population:''' In 2010, Lowell had the highest proportion of residents of [[Khmer people|Cambodian]] origin of any place in the United States, at 12.5% of the population. The Government of Cambodia had opened up its third [[List of diplomatic missions in the United States|U.S. Consular Office]] in Lowell, on April 27, 2009, with Sovann Ou as current advisor to the Cambodian [[Embassy]].<ref name="Khmer">[http://khmerization.blogspot.com/2009/04/cambodian-consulate-opens-in-lowell.html "Cambodian Consulate Opens in Lowell"], Khmerization, April 27, 2009, accessed October 26, 2010</ref> The other consular offices are in [[Long Beach, California]], and [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], which also have large Cambodian communities. ===Crime=== [[File:Lower Highlands precinct police station; south and east sides; Lowell, MA; 2011-12-08.JPG|thumb|right| Police station in the city's Highlands neighborhood]] The city is primarily policed and protected by the [[Lowell Police Department (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Lowell Police Department]], the University Police: [[UMass Lowell]], and the [[National Park Service]] Police. The [[Massachusetts State Police]] and [[Middlesex County Sheriff's Office]] also work with local law enforcement to set up driver checkpoints for alcohol awareness. With the growth of [[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]] and the impact of its faculty and students in areas of scientific research, engineering, and nursing, the city has seen rapid gentrification of several neighborhoods. ==== Statistics ==== According to current FBI Crime Data Analysis, Lowell is the 46th most dangerous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for all sizes,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thisweekinworcester.com/fbi-data-50-1-mas-dangerous-cities-towns-worcester-rank/|title=FBI DATA: #50 to #1: MA's Most Dangerous Cities and Towns – Where Does Worcester Rank? |date=September 26, 2017|work=This Week In Worcester|language=en-US}}</ref> the [[violent crime]] rate for Lowell was less than half of the violent crime rate in Boston, with no murders compared to 49 in Boston. Lowell's crime rate has dropped tremendously since the 1990s, and while the likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Massachusetts are 1 in 265, the odds in Lowell are 1 in 289, making Lowell (approximately) 10% safer than the rest of the state, on average.<ref name = neighborhoodscout>{{Cite web |url= https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/lowell/crime|title=Lowell, MA Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout|website= www.neighborhoodscout.com |language= en |access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> Lowell's violent crime rate is comparable to [[Honolulu|Honolulu, HI]] and is less than one-quarter that of [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.businessinsider.com/us-cities-few-crimes-fbi-2018-5#37-washington-dc-had-451-violent-crimes-per-10000-residents-4|title=FBI data reveals some of the lowest-crime cities in nearly every US state|work=Business Insider|access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref> In 2017, you were more likely to be a crime victim in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge, MA]] than in Lowell (due to the high incidence of property crimes in Cambridge).<ref name = neighborhoodscout/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ma/cambridge/crime|title=Cambridge, MA Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout|website=neighborhoodscout.com |language= en |access-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref> ==== History of anti-crime efforts ==== In the 1990s, Lowell had been locally notorious for being a place of high drug trafficking and gang activity, and was the setting for a real life documentary, ''[[High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell]].'' In the years from 1994 to 1999, crime dropped 50 percent, the highest rate of decrease for any city in America with over 100,000 residents. Within one generation, by 2009, Lowell was ranked as the 139th most dangerous city of over 75,000 residents in the United States, out of 393 communities. Out of Massachusetts cities, nine are larger than 75,000 residents, and Lowell was fifth.<ref name="City Crime Rankings, 2009-2010">{{cite web|url=http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/2009/CityCrimeRankings2009.htm|title=CQ Press: City Crime Rankings 2009}}</ref> For comparison Lowell was still rated safer than Boston (104 of 393), Providence, RI (123), Springfield (51), Lynn (120), Fall River (103), and New Bedford (85), but rated more dangerous than Cambridge (303), Newton (388), Quincy (312), and Worcester (175).<ref name="City Crime Rankings, 2009-2010" /> <!-- === Watch Report on Progress === Click on Link to View: [https://www.fox25boston.com/news/crossroads-lowell-a-boston-25-news-in-depth-report/744113297 Crossroads Lowell Boston25 News]: --> ==Education== ===Colleges and universities=== With a rapidly growing student population, Lowell has been considered an emerging college town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_26271750/city-manager-wants-make-lowell-college-town|title=City manager wants to make Lowell a 'college town'|work = The Sun|date = 4 August 2014|first = Lyle|last = Moran}}</ref> With approximately 12,000 students at [[Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)|Middlesex Community College]] (MCC) and 18,500 students at [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]], Lowell is currently home to more than 30,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, and the location of some of the top research laboratories in Massachusetts. [[UMass Lowell]] is the second largest state university and fifth largest university in Massachusetts, while MCC is the second largest Associate's college in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=MA&pg=13&id=166513|title=UMass Lowell Demographics |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics}}</ref> * [[Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)|Middlesex Community College]] * [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] [[File:Recreation Center, north.jpg|thumb|Recreation Center at UMass Lowell]] ===Primary and secondary schools=== ====Public schools==== [[Lowell Public Schools]] operates district public schools. [[Lowell High School (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Lowell High School]] is the district public school. Non-district public schools include [[Greater Lowell Technical High School]], Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lmacs.org/|title=Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School}}</ref> Lowell Community Charter Public School,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lccps.org/|title=Home Page - Lowell Community Charter Public School}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lccps.org/about_the_school|website =LCCPS.org|title = About the School}}</ref> and Lowell Collegiate Charter School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lccs.sabis.net|title=Collegiate Charter School of Lowell|last=SABIS® }}</ref> Lowell Public Schools is an above average, public school district located in Lowell, MA. It has 14,247 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.niche.com/k12/d/lowell-public-schools-ma/|title=Explore Lowell Public Schools|website=Niche|language=en-US|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> Lowell High School students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Lowell High is 29 percent. The student body makeup is 50 percent male and 50 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 68 percent with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/massachusetts/districts/lowell/lowell-high-9418|title=Best High Schools/Massachusetts|website=US News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423072038/http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/massachusetts/districts/lowell/lowell-high-9418|archive-date=April 23, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> ====Private schools==== {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |+ !School Name !Grades !No. of Students !Teacher/Student Ratio |- |Community Christian Academy |K-8 |185 |1:9 |- |Hellenic American Academy |K-8 |135 |1:12 |- |Immaculate Conception School |K-8 |324 |1:17 |- |[[Lowell Catholic High School]] | | | |- |Riverside School (Non-sectarian SPED) |4-11 |25 |1:5 |- |St. Louis School (CLOSED) |PreK2.9-8 |210 |1:19 |- |St. Michael Elementary School |K-8 |230 |1:16 |- |St. Patrick School |K-8 |181 |1:15 |- |St. Stanislaus School (CLOSED)<ref>[http://www.saintstanislaus.com/Saint_Stanislaus/History.html Saint Stanislaus/History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114003902/http://www.saintstanislaus.com/Saint_Stanislaus/History.html|date=January 14, 2011}}</ref> |K-8 |124 |1:12 |- |Ste Jeanne d'Arc School, est. 1910<ref>http://www.sjdarc.org/pdf%20files/Fact%20Sheet%209-12.pdf{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |K-8 |375 |1:17 |- |St. Margaret School (CLOSED) |K-8 | |1:20 |- |Franco-American School, est. 1963 (CLOSED)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francoamericanschool.org/|title=Franco American School|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705091758/http://francoamericanschool.org/|archive-date = 5 July 2008}}</ref> |K-8 | |1:13 |} ==Libraries== [[File:Pollard Memorial Library; Lowell, MA; south (front) side; 2011-08-20.JPG|thumb|Pollard Memorial Library in August 2011]] ===Municipal=== ====Pollard Memorial Library / Lowell City Library==== {{Main|Pollard Memorial Library}} The first Lowell public library was established in 1844 with 3,500 volumes, and was set up in the first floor of the Old City Hall, 226 Merrimack St. In 1872, the expanding collection was relocated down the street to the [[Hosford Building]]<ref>C.B. Tillinghast. The free public libraries of Massachusetts. 1st Report of the Free Public Library Commission of Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter, 1891. [https://books.google.com/books?id=LusKAAAAYAAJ Google books]</ref> at 134 Merrimack St. In 1890–1891, the City of Lowell hired local Architect [[Frederick W. Stickney]] to design the new Lowell City Library, known as "Memorial Hall, in honor of the city's men who lost their lives in the American Civil War.<ref name="pollardml.org">{{cite web|url = https://lowelllibrary.org/about-us/library-history/|title = Library History|work = Pollard Memorial Library}}</ref> In 1981, the library was renamed the Pollard Memorial Library in memory of the late Mayor Samuel S. Pollard. And, in the mid-2000s the century-old [[National Historic Landmark|National Historic]] building underwent a major $8.5m renovation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/econdev/Comm%20Inv|website=City of Lowell |title = Community Investments|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716212132/http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/econdev/Comm%20Inv|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status= dead}}</ref> The city also expanded the library system to include the Senior Center Branch, located in the City of Lowell Senior Center.<ref>{{cite web|website = Pollard Memorial Library|url = https://lowelllibrary.org/about-us/hours-locations/ |title = Hours & Locations}}</ref> In fiscal year 2008, the city of Lowell spent 0.36% ($975,845) of its budget on its public libraries, which houses 236,000 volumes, and is a part of the [[Merrimack Valley Library Consortium]]. Currently, circulation of materials averages around 250,000 annually, with approximately one-third deriving from the children's collection.<ref name="pollardml.org" /><ref>July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008; cf. The FY2008 Municipal Pie: What's Your Share? Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Board of Library Commissioners. Boston: 2009. Available: [http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php Municipal Pie Reports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php|date=January 23, 2012}}. Retrieved August 4, 2010</ref> In fiscal year 2009, Lowell spent 0.35% ($885,377) of its budget on the library—some $8 per person.<ref>July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009; cf. {{cite web|url=http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php|title=FY 2009 Municipal Pie Report|author=Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123010127/http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/statistics/public/repmunicpie/index.php|archive-date=January 23, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=April 4, 2011}}</ref> As of 2012, the Pollard Library purchases access for its patrons to databases owned by: [[EBSCO Industries]]; [[Gale (publisher)|Gale]], of [[Cengage Learning]]; [[Heritage Archives, Inc.]]; [[New England Historic Genealogical Society]]; [[OverDrive, Inc.]]; [[ProQuest]]; and World Trade Press.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://databases.mvlc.org/Pollard|title=Databases|author=Pollard Memorial Library|access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> ===University=== ====Lydon Library==== The Lydon Library is a part of the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] system, and is located on the North Campus. The building is named in honor of President Martin J. Lydon, whose vision expanded and renamed the college during his tenure in the 1950s and 1960s.<ref>"Dyeing for a living: a history of the American Association of Textile" By Mark Clark</ref> Its current collection concentrates on the sciences, engineering, business management, social sciences, humanities, and health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libweb.uml.edu/Lydon.html|website=UMass Lowell Libraries|title = Lydon Library|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150511085856/http://libweb.uml.edu/Lydon.html |archive-date = 11 May 2015}}</ref> ====O'Leary Library==== The O'Leary Library is a part of the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] system, and is located on the South Campus. The building is named in honor of former History Professor and then President O'Leary, whose vision helped merge the Lowell colleges during his tenure in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olearyforcongress.com/news/rob-o-leary-looks-to-congress-with-an-eager-practiced-eye|title=Olearyforcongress.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714234922/http://www.olearyforcongress.com/news/rob-o-leary-looks-to-congress-with-an-eager-practiced-eye|archive-date=July 14, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its current collection concentrates on music and art.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://libweb.uml.edu/oleary.html|website=UMass Lowell Libraries|title =O'Leary Library|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170307135823/http://libweb.uml.edu/oleary.html |archive-date = 7 March 2017}}</ref> ====Center for Lowell History==== The Center for Lowell History [special collections and archives] is a part of the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] system, established in 1971 to assure the safekeeping, preservation, and availability for study and research of materials in unique subject areas, particularly those related to the Greater Lowell Area and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Located downtown in the Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center at 40 French Street, the center is committed to the design and implementation of historical, educational, and cultural programs that link the university and the community in developing an economically strong and multi-culturally rich region. Its current collections and archives focus on historic and contemporary issues of Lowell (including: industrialization, textile technology, immigration, social history, regional history, labor history, women's history, and environmental history).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://libguides.uml.edu/archives|website=University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries|title = Center for Lowell History}}</ref> ==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== [[File:LRTA bus along Stevens Street at Light Avenue; Lowell, MA; 2011-12-08.JPG|thumb|A bus of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority]] Lowell can be reached by automobile from [[Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)|Interstate 495]], [[U.S. Route 3]], the [[Lowell Connector]], and Massachusetts Routes: [[Massachusetts Route 3A|3A]], [[Massachusetts Route 38|38]], [[Massachusetts Route 110|110]], [[Massachusetts Route 113|113]], and [[Massachusetts Route 133|133]], all of which run through the city; Route 133 begins at the spot where Routes 110 and 38 branch off just south of the Merrimack River.<ref name="coll">{{cite web|url=http://www.Lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/econdev/Location|title=City of Lowell - Location|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008072237/http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/services/econdev/Location|archive-date=October 8, 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=October 2, 2007}}</ref> There are [[List of crossings of the Merrimack River|six bridges crossing the Merrimack River]] in Lowell, and four crossing the Concord River (not including the two for I-495). For public transit, Lowell is served by the [[Lowell Regional Transit Authority|Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)]], which provides fixed route [[bus]] services and [[paratransit]] services to the city and surrounding area. [[OurBus]] has daily bus service to Worcester and New York City. Other service includes [[Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority|Merrimack Vallery Regional Transfer Authority (MVRTA)]] Route 41 to [[Lawrence, Massachusetts|Lawrence]], and the Coach Company bus to [[Foxwoods Resort Casino]]. Lowell is also served by the MBTA's commuter rail [[Lowell Line]], with several departures daily to and from Boston's [[North Station]]. The [[Lowell National Historical Park]] provides a free [[streetcar]] between its various sites in the city center, using track formerly used to provide freight access to the city's mills. An expansion to expand the system to {{cvt|6.9|mile}} was planned but rejected in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Welker |first1=Grant |title=Expanded Lowell trolley plans derailed |url=http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_29524586/expanded-lowell-trolley-plans-derailed |website=Lowell Sun |access-date=24 June 2019 |date=16 Feb 2016}}</ref> In addition to several car rental agencies, Lowell has four (4) [[Zipcar]] rental locations convenient to Gallagher Terminal, the Downtown, and the three (3) [[University of Massachusetts Lowell|UMass Lowell]] campuses (North, South and East). ===Hospitals=== * [[Lowell General Hospital]] * [[Saints Medical Center]] ==Arts and culture== [[File:Front of boott mill.jpg|right|thumb|The Boott Cotton Mill Museum and Trolley]] === Annual events === * February: [[Winterfest]] - celebration of winter. (Also, Lowell's Birthday) * March: Lowell Women's Week<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lowellwomensweek.org/|title=Lowell Women's Week}}</ref> - A week of events recognizing women's achievements, struggles, and contributions to the Lowell community past and present. Irish Cultural Week - A celebration of Irish history and hulture within the Greater Lowell community. * April: Lowell Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowell.com/events/lowell-film-festival/|title=Lowell Film Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts - Lowell.com|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701203417/http://www.lowell.com/events/lowell-film-festival/|archive-date=July 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>- Showcases documentary and feature-length films focusing on a variety of topics of interest to the Greater Lowell community and beyond * May: Doors Open Lowell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doorsopenlowell.org/|title=Welcome — Doors Open Lowell - National Preservation Month}}</ref> - A celebration of preservation, architecture, and design where many historic buildings that normally have limited public access are open for viewing * June: African Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanfestivallowell.org/|title=Home|website = African Festival Lowell}}</ref> - A celebration of the various African communities in and around Lowell * July: [[Lowell Folk Festival]] - A three-day free folk music and traditional arts festival attended by on average 250,000 people on the last weekend in July * August: Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Lowellwaterfestival.org/|title=Lowell Water Festival}}</ref> - celebrates Southeast Asian culture * September: Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lowellkinetic.com|title=Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race}}</ref> - From the crossroads of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics comes a spectacular racing spectacle! * October: Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellcelebrateskerouac.org/|title=Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!}}</ref> - A celebration of the works of [[Jack Kerouac]] and his roots in the city of Lowell * October: [[Bay State Marathon]] and half [[marathon]] [[File:Lowell boat tour.jpg|right|thumb|The National Park Boat Tour]] ===Points of interest=== Among the many tourist attractions, Lowell also currently has 39 places on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Lowell, Massachusetts|National Register of Historic Places]] including many buildings and structures as part of the [[Lowell National Historical Park]]. [[File:"A Mother's Hands" - Monument Dedicated to the Armenian Genocide.jpg|thumb|"A Mother's Hands" Armenian Genocide memorial outside of Lowell City Hall.]] * In the mid-1980s, Kerouac Park was placed in downtown.<ref>{{cite book|last=Marion|first=Paul|title=Atop an Underwood|publisher=[[Penguin Group]]|page=xxi|date=1999}}</ref> * [[Lowell National Historical Park]]: Maintains Lowell's history as an early manufacturing and immigrant city. Exhibits include weave rooms, a waterpower exhibit, and paths along {{cvt|5.6|mile}} of largely restored canals. * [[Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest]]: Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails in an urban state forest * [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]]: State University * [[University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory]]: The site of a small nuclear reactor at the school * [[Lowell Heritage State Park|Vandenberg Esplanade]]: Walking, biking, swimming, and picnicking park along the banks of the [[Merrimack River]]. Contains the [[Sampas Pavilion]]. * Western Avenue Studios:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westernavenuestudios.com|title=WESTERN AVENUE - STUDIOS & LOFTS – Lowell MA}}</ref> Largest complex of artists studios in the United States at 122 Western Avenue. * [[Jack Kerouac]]'s birthplace: In the Centralville section of the city at 9 Lupine Road. * [[Armenian Genocide]] Memorial: "A Mother's Hands" Monument at Lowell City Hall. * [[Bette Davis]]'s birthplace: In the Highlands section of the city at 22 Chester Street. * [[Rosalind Elias]]'s birthplace: In the Acre neighborhood at 144 School Street . * [[Lowell Cemetery]]: burial site of many of Lowell's wealthy industrialists from the Victorian era, as well as several U.S. Congressmen, a Massachusetts Governor, [[John McFarland (Medal of Honor)|John McFarland]], and a U.S. Senator. 77 Knapp Avenue. * [[Edson Cemetery]]: burial site of [[Jack Kerouac]] and [[William Preston Phelps]]. Location of a monument dedicated to Chief [[Passaconaway]]. 1375 Gorham Street. * The Acre: Lowell's gateway neighborhood where waves of immigrants have established their communities. * [[Yorick Club (Lowell, MA)|Yorick Building]]: Former home of the gentlemen's club the "Yorick Club", currently a restaurant & function facility (Cobblestones). *Little Cambodia: In 2010, the city began an effort to make it a tourist destination.<ref>Schweitzer. Sarah. "[http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/15/lowell_hopes_to_put_little_cambodia_on_the_map/ Lowell hopes to put 'Little Cambodia' on the map]." ''[[The Boston Globe]]''. February 15, 2010. Retrieved on February 15, 2012.</ref> ===Culture=== [[File:Lowell Memorial Auditorium main entrance; Lowell, MA; west (front) side; 2011-08-20.JPG|thumbnail|right|[[Lowell Memorial Auditorium]]]]In the early years of the 1840s when the population quickly exceeded 20,000, Lowell became very active as a cultural center, with the construction of the [[Lowell Museum]], the [[Mechanics Hall (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Mechanics Hall]], as well as the new City Hall used for art exhibits, [[lectures]], and for the [[performing arts]]. The Lowell Museum was lost in a devastating fire in the early morning of January 31, 1856,<ref>"New York Times" article "Destruction of the Lowell Museum by Fire" January 31, 1856</ref> but was quickly rehoused in a new location. The Lowell Art Association was founded in 1876, and the new Opera House was built in 1889.<ref>[http://ecommunity.uml.edu/lhs/lowell_history.htm LHS - Lowell Historical Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621094111/http://ecommunity.uml.edu/lhs/lowell_history.htm|date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> Continuing to inspire and entertain, Lowell currently has a plethora of artistic exhibitions and performances throughout a wide range of venues in the city:[[File:Boott cotton mill looms.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Boott Cotton Mills Museum|Boott Cotton Mill and Museum]]]] [[File:2019-america-the-beautiful-quarters-coin-lowell-massachusetts-uncirculated-reverse.jpg|right|thumb|Lowell in the [[America the Beautiful quarters|America the Beautiful quarter series]]]] ===Museums and public galleries=== * 119 Gallery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.119gallery.org/|title=119 Gallery (911 Electronic Media Arts, Inc.) - Art, Music, Performance, and Community – Lowell MA|access-date=April 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330151759/http://www.119gallery.org/|archive-date=March 30, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Arts League of Lowell & All Gallery<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artsleagueoflowell.com/|title=Arts League of Lowell|website=artsleagueoflowell.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * The American Textile History Museum (closed in 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athm.org/|title=American Textile History Museum - Telling America's story through the art, history, and science of textiles}}</ref> * Ayer Lofts<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ayerlofts.com/|title=Welcome to Ayer Lofts Art Gallery}}</ref> Artist Live-work Lofts * The Boott Cotton Mills Museum: [[Lowell National Historic Park]] * Brush Art Gallery and Studios<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebrush.org/|title=The Brush Art Gallery and Studios}}</ref> * Gallery Z & Artist Cooperative<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/galleryzartistcoop/|title=Gallery Z|website=facebook.com|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * The Lowell Gallery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellgallery.com/|title=Lowell Gallery}}</ref> * Mill No. 5 - an eclectic indoor mall/streetscape featuring artisanal foods and hand-made items, live music and [http://www.lunalowell.com/ The Luna Theater], an independent film venue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wgbh.org/dining-out/2018/05/17/milling-around-in-lowell|title=Milling Around In Lowell|date=May 18, 2018|work=Org|access-date=May 22, 2018|language=en}}</ref> * National Streetcar Museum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trolleymuseum.org/lowell/|title=National Streetcar Museum: Lowell, Massachusetts}}</ref> * The New England Quilt Museum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nequiltmuseum.org/|title=NEQM Home}}</ref> * Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center: [[Lowell National Historic Park]] * [[Whistler House Museum of Art]] - Art museum in birthplace of [[James McNeill Whistler]]. * Western Avenue Studios (The Loading Dock Galleries)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theloadingdockgallery.com/|title=Loading Dock Gallery|website=Loading Dock Gallery|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> - A converted mill with over 300 working artists and musicians. * UMass Lowell Galleries<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Art/Galleries-Exhibitions/University-Gallery/|title=University Gallery {{!}} UMass Lowell|website=uml.edu|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> ===Interactive and live performances=== * Angkor Dance Troupe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angkordance.org/|title=Angkor Dance Troupe}}</ref> - Cambodian classical and folk dance company and youth program<ref>Tuttle, Nancye, "Cambodian art, a New England tradition", The Lowell Sun, May 15, 2008.</ref> * Arts League of Lowell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artsleagueoflowell.com/|title=Arts League of Lowell}}</ref> * Center for Lowell History, University of Massachusetts Lowell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.uml.edu/clh/|title=University of Massachusetts Center for Lowell History|last=Pohl|first=Janet}}</ref> - local history library and archive * The Gentlemen Songsters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gentlemensongsters.org/|title=Gentlemen Songsters Barbershop Harmony Chorus - Family Entertainment in the A Cappella Style - 2016|last=Durant|first=Jeri}}</ref> The Lowell Chapter of The Barbershop Harmony Society -''Causing Harmony In The Merrimack Valley.'' *The Hi Hat - acoustic performance stage located at [http://millno5.com Mill No. 5]. *The Luna Theater - Independent film theater opened in 2014 and located inside [http://Millno5.com Mill No. 5]. * [[Lowell Memorial Auditorium]] - Mid-sized venue for live performances. * The Lowell Chamber Orchestra<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/|title=Home}}</ref> - First professional orchestra based in Lowell * Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellphilharmonic.org/|title=Home}}</ref> - Community orchestra presenting free concerts and offering youth programs * Lowell Poetry Network<ref>http://www.lowellpoetrynetwork.org/</ref> - A network of area poets and appreciators of poetry who host readings, receptions, and open mics. * Lowell Rocks<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Lowellrocks.com/|title=Lowell Rocks}}</ref> - Lowell nightlife and entertainment web site promoting performances at local bars and clubs * Lowell Summer Music Series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsummermusic.org/page.php?wpage=home/home.htm|title=Lowell Summer Music Series}}</ref> - Boarding House Park * [[Merrimack Repertory Theater]] - Professional equity theater * Play by Player's Theatre Company - critically acclaimed community theater * [[RRRecords]] - Internationally known record label and store * [[Sampas Pavilion]] - Outdoor amphitheater on the banks of the [[Merrimack River]] * Standing Room Only Players - musical review troupe * UMass Lowell Department of Music Performances<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uml.edu/music|title=Music Department - UMass Lowell}}</ref> * The United Teen Equality Center<ref name="Homepage - UTEC, Inc">{{cite web|url=http://www.utec-lowell.org/|title=Homepage - UTEC, Inc.}}</ref> ''A by teens, for teens youth center promoting peace, positivity and empowerment for young people in Lowell.'' * UnchARTed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/UnchARTed-202386856448988/|title=UnchARTed|website=facebook.com|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> - Gallery, studios, cafe, bar, and performance space in downtown Lowell ==Sports, teams and athletic venues== [[File:Ramahlos West End Gym at former Hockmeyer family Waterhead Mill; north and west sides; Lowell, MA; 2011-09-11.JPG|thumbnail|right|Ramalho's West End Gym trains the city's boxers.]] ===Boxing=== Boxing has formed an important part of Lowell's working-class culture. The city's auditorium hosts the annual [[New England Golden Gloves]] tournament, which featured fighters such as [[Rocky Marciano]], [[Sugar Ray Leonard]], and [[Marvin Hagler]]. [[Micky Ward]] and [[Dicky Eklund]] both began their careers in Lowell, the subject of the 2010 film [[The Fighter]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Halloran|first1=Bob|title=Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward|date=2010|publisher=First Lyons Press|location=Guilford, CT}}</ref> Arthur Ramahlo's West End Gym is where many of the city's boxers train.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sackowitz|first1=Karen|title=Blood, sweat, cheers: Lowell gym helps youths learn boxing, confidence, and it stars in a new movie|work=The Boston Globe|date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> ===Teams=== * [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] [[UMass Lowell River Hawks|River Hawks]], NCAA Division I Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Field Hockey, Volleyball * [[Lowell Spinners]] - Class A short-season professional [[baseball]] affiliate of the [[Boston Red Sox]] * [[Lowell All-Americans]] - [[New England Collegiate Baseball League|NECBL]] (Collegiate Summer Baseball) * [[New England Riptide]] - [[National Pro Fastpitch League]] (Major League Softball) * Lowell Nor'easter<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nefl.us/?page_id=148|title=Lowell Nor'easter - New England Football League|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118141252/http://nefl.us/?page_id=148|archive-date=November 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> - Semi-Professional football team ([[New England Football League]]) * [[Greater Lowell United FC]] - Semi-Pro soccer team ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])<ref name="NPSL">{{cite web|title=THE NPSL COMES TO LOWELL, MA|url=http://www.npsl.info/home/770679.html|publisher=NPSL|access-date=November 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206223427/http://www.npsl.info/home/770679.html|archive-date=December 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Lowell Sun">{{cite web|title=New soccer team in Lowell will join Premier League|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/latestnews/ci_24562279/new-soccer-team-lowell-will-join-premier-league|publisher=Lowell Sun|access-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Tsongas Center.png|thumb|Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell]][[File:Lelacheur.gif|thumb|[[Edward A. LeLacheur Park|LeLacheur Park]], home of the [[Lowell Spinners]] baseball team]] === Athletic venues === * [[Edward A. LeLacheur Park]] Baseball Stadium, shared by [[Lowell Spinners]] and the [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] * [[Lowell Memorial Auditorium]] - performance and boxing venue. * [[Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell]] - multi-use sports and concert venue (6500 seats hockey, 7800 concerts)- the [[UMass Lowell River Hawks men's ice hockey|University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks]], and various arena shows. On April 1, 2006, the arena held the [[2006 World Men's Curling Championship|2006]] [[World Curling Championships]]. * [[Cawley Memorial Stadium]]- Stadium for [[Lowell High School (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Lowell High School]] and other sporting events around the [[Merrimack Valley]]. Uses [[FieldTurf]]. Former home of the MICCA Marching Band Championship Finals * [[Stoklosa Alumni Field]] - Baseball stadium, used by Lowell All-Americans (4,000 seats) * [[Costello Athletic Center]] indoor arena on campus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell * UMass Lowell Bellgarde Boathouse<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uml.edu/CampusRecreation/Boathouse/About-Us.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108032020/http://www.uml.edu/CampusRecreation/Boathouse/About-Us.aspx |archive-date=January 8, 2014 }}</ref> used as a rowing and kayaking center for UMass Lowell and the greater Lowell area * Long Meadow Golf Club<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.longmeadowgolfclub.com/|title=longmeadowgolfclub|website=longmeadowgolfclub|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2018}}</ref> - Private 9 hole Golf course in the Belvidere neighborhood * Mount Pleasant Golf Club<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mpgc.net/|title=http://mpgc.net/|website=mpgc.net|language=en-US|access-date=February 6, 2018}}</ref> - Private 9 hole Golf course in the '''Highlands''' neighborhood {{Clear}} ==Government== {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float:right;" |- ! Lowell City Council (as of 1/3/18)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellma.gov/govt|title=City of Lowell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231215904/http://www.lowellma.gov/govt|archive-date=December 31, 2010}}</ref> |- | * Karen Cirillo (Jan. 2018–present) * David Conway (Jan. 2018–present) * Rodney M. Elliott (Jan. 1998–present)** * John Leahy (Sept. 2012–present) * Edward J. Kennedy, Jr. (Jan. 1978-Jan. 1986, Jan. 2012–present)** * Rita M. Mercier (Jan. 1996–present)** * James Milinazzo (Jan. 2004-Jan. 2012, Jan. 2014–present)** * Vesna Nuon (Jan. 2012-Jan. 2014, Jan. 2018–present)^ * William Samaras (Jan. 2014–present)* ''* =current mayor'' ''^ =deputy mayor'' ''**=former mayor'' |} {{See also|List of mayors of Lowell, Massachusetts}} Lowell has a Plan-E [[council-manager government]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Overview | publisher=City of Lowell | access-date=February 26, 2012 | url=http://www.lowellma.gov/govt/info/overview | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512013043/http://www.lowellma.gov/govt/info/overview | archive-date=May 12, 2012 }}</ref> There are nine city councilors and six [[school committee]] members, all elected by [[Plurality-at-large voting|plurality-at-large]] in a non-partisan election. In 1957, Lowell voters repealed a [[Single transferable vote|single-transferable-vote]] system, which had been in place since 1943.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Santucci|first=Jack|date=November 10, 2016|title=Party Splits, Not Progressives|journal=American Politics Research|language=en|volume=45|issue=3|pages=494–526|doi=10.1177/1532673x16674774|s2cid=157400899|issn=1532-673X}}</ref> The [[City Council]] chooses one of its members as [[List of mayors of Lowell, Massachusetts|mayor]], and another as vice-mayor. The role of the mayor is ceremonial, but s/he runs the weekly meetings under the guidance of the City Clerk. In addition, the mayor serves as the Chairperson of the School Committee. The administrative head of the city government is the [[City Manager]], who is responsible for all day-to-day operations, functioning within the guidelines of City Council policy, and is hired by and serves indefinitely at the pleasure of at least 5 of 9 City Councilors. As of April 2017, the City Manager is [[Eileen Donoghue|Eileen M. Donghue]] replacing [[Kevin J. Murphy (politician)|Kevin J. Murphy]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Lyle|title=Lowell City Manager Murphy ready to roll up his sleeves|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_25569018/lowell-city-manager-murphy-ready-roll-up-his?source=rss_viewed|access-date=April 16, 2014|newspaper=Lowell Sun|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_31797697/donoghue-sworn-city-manager-and-gets-right-down|title=Donoghue sworn in as city manager, and gets right down to work|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> Lowell is represented in the [[Massachusetts General Court]] by elected state representatives [[Thomas Golden, Jr.]] (D- [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 16th Middlesex district|16th Middlesex]]), [[David Nangle]] (D- [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 17th Middlesex district|17th Middlesex]]), [[Rady Mom]] (D- [[Massachusetts House of Representatives' 18th Middlesex district|18th Middlesex]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eledist/reps11idx.htm |title=Massachusetts Representative Districts |access-date= August 23, 2020 |work=Sec.state.ma.us }}</ref> and by State Senator Edward J. Kennedy ([[Massachusetts Senate's 1st Middlesex district|1st Middlesex]]) who is also a City Councilor. Federally, the city is part of [[Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district]] and represented by Lori Trahan (D). The state's senior member of the United States Senate is [[Elizabeth Warren]] (D). The state's junior member of the United States Senate is [[Ed Markey]] (D). In July 2012, Lowell youth led a nationally reported campaign to gain voting privileges for 17-year-olds in local elections; it would have been the first municipality to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2012/07/24/let-17-year-olds-vote/|title=Let 17-year-olds vote|last1=Plaisir|first1=By Corinne|last2=Kirksey|first2=Carline|date=2012-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/11/vote-17-movement-pushing-for-teen-voice-in-local-elections/|title='Vote 17' movement pushing for teen voice in local elections|last=Line|first=Molly|date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> The 'Vote 17' campaign was supported by national researchers; its goals were to increase voter turnout, create lifelong civic habits, and increase youth input in local matters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://peterlevine.ws/?p=6130|title=my testimony in favor of lowering the voting age to 17 in Lowell, MA|date=2011-04-13}}</ref> The effort was led by youth at the United Teen Equality Center in downtown Lowell.<ref name="Homepage - UTEC, Inc" /> [[File:Lowell City Hall.JPG|thumbnail|right|[[City Hall Historic District (Lowell, Massachusetts)|Lowell City Hall]]]] {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Registered Voters and Party Enrollment as of February 15, 2012<ref>{{cite web|title=Registered Voters and Party Enrollment as of February 15, 2012 | publisher=Massachusetts Elections Division | access-date=February 26, 2012 | url=http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/2012_PP_Party_Enrollment.pdf}}</ref> |- ! colspan = 2 | Party ! Number of Voters ! Percentage |- {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | style="text-align:center;"| 20,420 | style="text-align:center;"| 40.48% |- {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | style="text-align:center;"| 4,542 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.00% |- {{party color|Independent Party (United States)}} | Unenrolled | style="text-align:center;"| 25,110 | style="text-align:center;"| 49.78% |- {{party color|Other parties (United States)}} | Other | style="text-align:center;"| 374 | style="text-align:center;"| 0.74% |- ! colspan = 2 | Total ! style="text-align:center;"| 50,446 ! style="text-align:center;"| 100% |} === Voting rights lawsuit === Lowell is the last city in Massachusetts to use a fully plurality-at-large system due to its impact in diluting minority representation on its city council and school committee. With majority bloc voting these two committees were all-white, and had been mostly so for decades, despite the fact that the city's minority population had grown to 49%.<ref name="VRALawsuit">{{cite web |title=Minority Residents Allege City's At-Large Electoral System Unlawfully Dilutes Their Vote |url=http://lawyersforcivilrights.org/our-impact/voting-rights/voting-rights-lawsuit-filed-against-lowell-mass/ |website=Lawyers for Civil Rights |access-date=2019-07-27}}</ref> On May 18, 2017, the Boston [[Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law|Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice]] filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Latino and Asian-American voters, charging Lowell with violating the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965|Voting Rights Act]].<ref name="VRALawsuit"/> On May 29, 2019, a settlement agreement was reached that laid out six options for Lowell voters to review:<ref name="VRASettlement">{{cite web |title=Settlement of Federal Voting Rights Act Case Against Lowell, Mass.|url=http://lawyersforcivilrights.org/our-impact/voting-rights/settlement-of-federal-voting-rights-act-case-against-lowell-mass/ |website=Lawyers for Civil Rights|access-date=2019-07-27}}</ref> * A single-member district-based system, with nine city council districts including at least two majority-minority districts, and three school committee districts electing two members each, with at least one being a majority-minority district. * A hybrid system that combines single-member district-based seats with at-large seats: ** Hybrid 8-1 will have eight single-member districts (at least two majority-minority) and one at-large seat for the city council, and four single-member districts (at least one majority-minority) and two at-large seats for the school committee; ** Hybrid 8-3 is the same as 8-1 but expanding the city council by two at-large seats; ** Hybrid 7-2 will have seven single-member districts (at least two majority-minority) and two at-large seats for the city council, and seven single-member districts (at least two majority-minority) for the school committee (increasing its size by one); * An at-large system of nine city council seats and six school committee seats, elected using single transferable vote — a return to the system in place between 1943 and 1957. * A three-district system elected using single transferable vote, with three members from each elected to the city council and two members from each elected to the school committee. Two options will be selected by the city council and will be put before the voters to choose in a non-binding referendum in November 2019, with a final decision by the city council in December 2019. The new system must be put in place by the November 2021 municipal elections. ==Media== [[File:The Lowell Sun building; Lowell, MA; south and east sides; 2011-08-20.JPG|thumbnail|right|[[The Sun (Lowell)|The Sun]] is the city's daily newspaper.]] ===Newspaper=== ''[[The Sun (Lowell)|The Sun]]'', headquartered in downtown Lowell, is a major daily newspaper serving [[Greater Lowell]] and southern New Hampshire. The newspaper had an average daily circulation of about 42,900 copies in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=eCirc for US Newspapers: FAS-FAX Report |publisher=[[Audit Bureau of Circulations (North America)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]] |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2012 |url=http://abcas3.accessabc.com/ecirc/newstitlesearchus.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027085243/http://abcas3.accessabc.com/ecirc/newstitlesearchus.asp |archive-date=October 27, 2012 }}</ref> Continuing a trend of [[Concentration of media ownership|concentration of newspaper ownership]], ''The Sun'' was sold to newspaper conglomerate [[MediaNews Group]] in 1997 after 119 years of family ownership.<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Bylines | magazine=American Journalism Review | last=Revah | first=Suzan | date=September 1997 | access-date=March 1, 2012 | url=http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=1833}}</ref> ===Radio=== * [[WCAP (AM)|WCAP]] AM 980, talk radio * [[WLLH]] AM 1400 Spanish Tropical * [[WUML]] FM 91.5, UMass Lowell-owned station * [[WCRB]] FM 99.5, Classical music, licensed to Lowell === Cable === Lowell Telecommunication Corporation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ltc.org/|title=Home - LTC}}</ref> (LTC) - A community media and technology center ==Businesses started and products invented in Lowell== === Current === The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) Biotechnology Lab offers 11,000 square feet of fully equipped, shared lab facilities that can house 50 researchers and also includes plenty of co-working and meeting spaces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uml.edu/Research/M2D2/facilities-services/110-canal.aspx|title=M2D2 110 Canal {{!}} UMass Lowell|website=uml.edu|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> The UMASS Lowell Innovation Hub<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uml.edu/Innovation-Hub/|title=iHub {{!}} UMass Lowell|website=uml.edu|language=en|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> (iHUB) offer entrepreneurs, startups, technology companies and established manufacturing partners 24-hour access to all the amenities they need to get their businesses up and running, such as: * dedicated office space * rapid prototype development equipment and services * open co-working and collaboration space, and * meeting and conferencing space. === Historical === * [[Cash Carrier]]s: William Stickney Lamson of Lowell patented this system in 1881. * [[CVS/pharmacy]]: originally named the '''Consumer Value Store''' was founded in Lowell in 1963. * [[Father John's Medicine]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.uml.edu/clh/Fath/Fath2.Html|title=Father John's Story|first=Janet|last=Pohl}}</ref> a [[cough medicine]] that was first formulated in the United States in a Lowell pharmacy in 1855. * [[Francis Turbine]] - A highly efficient water-powered turbine * [[Fred C. Church]] Insurance (est. 1865)<ref>[https://archive.today/20120709030556/http://fredcchurch.com/about/history.php?PHPSESSID=a70f3f4ae8d2dc644ec8e08f6b2a808c Fredcchurch.com]</ref> * [[DeMoulas/Market Basket|Market Basket]] - Chain of approximately 80 grocery stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine * [[Moxie]] - the first mass-produced [[soft drink]] in the U.S. * [[Telephone numbers]], 1879, Lowell is the first U.S. city to have phone numbers, two years after Alexander Graham Bell demonstrates his telephone in Lowell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2009-11/features/lowell-timeline|title=Timeline of Lowell History|date=October 8, 2009}}</ref> * [[Stuarts Department Stores]] * [[Wang Laboratories]] - [[Massachusetts Miracle]] computer company === Banks and financial institutions === * In 1854, the Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank was founded as the first and only bank in the city that would accept a deposit of less than $1.00. It is the 73rd-oldest bank in America and has been in continuous operation since its founding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/fiList.aspx?type=oldestbanks&sort=state|title=iBanknet {{!}} America's Oldest Banks|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_923707|title=The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1892, Washington Savings Bank made its first home in Lowell and has continuously served the Greater Lowell area and communities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonsavings.com/about-us/our-history.html|title=Our History {{!}} Washington Savings Bank {{!}} Lowell - Dracut {{!}} Massachusetts - MA|website=washingtonsavings.com|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_654300|title=Washington Savings Bank Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1989, Enterprise Bank and Trust was founded in Lowell and is the largest financial institution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_1356768|title=Enterprise Bank and Trust Company Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref>{{clarify|date=November 2020 |reason=The largest financial institution where? In Lowell?}} * In 1911, Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union was founded in Lowell and is the 5th-largest credit union in Massachusetts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_194392|title=JEANNE D'ARC CREDIT UNION Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/fiList.aspx?type=statecreditunion&state=25&sort=assets|title=iBanknet {{!}} Massachusetts - Credit Unions|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1922, Align Credit Union was founded in Lowell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_437398|title=ALIGN CREDIT UNION Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1936, the Lowell Firefighters Credit Union was founded in Lowell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_280893|title=LOWELL FIREFIGHTERS CREDIT UNION Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1937, the Lowell Municipal Employees FCU was founded in Lowell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_26774|title=LOWELL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> * In 1958, Mills42 Federal Credit Union was founded in Lowell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibanknet.com/scripts/callreports/getbank.aspx?ibnid=usa_211981|title=MILLS42 FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Financial Reports|website=ibanknet.com|access-date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> ==== Merged financial institutions ==== * Lowell Bank and Trust Company (1970–1983; now part of Bank of America)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbanklocations.com/lowell-bank-and-trust-company-20133.shtml|title=Lowell Bank and Trust Company|website=usbanklocations.com|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> * Lowell Institution for Savings (1829–1991; now part of TD Banknorth N.A.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbanklocations.com/lowell-institution-for-savings-90228.shtml|title=Lowell Institution for Savings|website=usbanklocations.com|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> * Butler Bank (1901–2010; now part of People's United Bank)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/butlerbank.html|title=FDIC: Failed Bank Information - Bank Closing Information for Butler Bank, Lowell, MA|last=DRR|website=fdic.gov|language=en-US|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_14909223|title=Like namesake general, Butler Bank fought to end|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> * Lowell Co-operative Bank/Sage Bank (1885–2018; now part of Salem Five Bank)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lisinski |first1=Chris |title=Salem Five closes on acquisition of Sage Bank |url=https://www.lowellsun.com/2018/08/20/salem-five-closes-on-acquisition-of-sage-bank/ |access-date=November 7, 2020 |work=Lowell Sun |date=August 20, 2018}}</ref> ==Notable people== ''See [[List of People from Lowell, Massachusetts]]''riley martineau professional skateboard ==Twin towns and sister cities== {|class="wikitable" |- !City!!State!!Year |- |[[Saint-Dié-des-Vosges]] |{{FR}} |1989 |- |[[Berdiansk]] |{{UKR}} |1997 |- |[[Bamenda]]<ref>http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_30962996/lowell-city-council-oks-resolution-cameroonians</ref><ref>http://camola.org/cummunityActivitiesAndAchievements.php</ref> |{{CMR}} |2002 |- |[[Limerick City]] |{{IRL}} |2013 |- |[[Phnom Penh]] |{{CAM}} |2015 |} ==Honors== *2010, Lowell designated as a "Green Community"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_15164308|title=City Council gets wind of green bonus}}</ref> *1997 and 1998, Lowell was a finalist for the [[All-American City]] award.<ref name="AAC">[http://www.ncl.org/aac/past_winners/past_winners.html NCL.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707222907/http://www.ncl.org/aac/past_winners/past_winners.html |date=July 7, 2010 }}</ref> *1999, Lowell received an All-American City award.<ref name="AAC"/> ==See also== {{Portal|United States}} * [[List of mill towns in Massachusetts]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== {{Library resources box}} * Dalzell, Robert F. ''Enterprising elite: The Boston Associates and the world they made'' (Harvard University Press, 1987) * Deitch, Joanne Weisman. ''The Lowell Mill Girls: Life in the Factory'' (Perspectives on History Series) (1998) * [[Thomas Dublin|Dublin, Thomas]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=qIveUjBIsBsC&printsec=frontcover ''Women at Work: The Transformation of Work and Community in Lowell, Massachusetts, 1826-1860''], (Columbia University Press, 1981) * Eno, Arthur Louis. ''Cotton was king: A history of Lowell, Massachusetts'' (New Hampshire Publishing Company, 1976) * Gross, Laurence F. ''The Course of Industrial Decline: The Boott Cotton Mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, 1835-1955'' (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993) * Malone, Patrick M., [https://books.google.com/books?id=FBFViPDH0lQC&printsec=frontcover ''Waterpower in Lowell: Engineering and Industry in Nineteenth-Century America''], Johns Hopkins Introductory Studies in the History of Technology (2009) * Mrozowski, Stephan A.; Ziesing, Grace H.; Beaudry, Mary C., [https://books.google.com/books?id=4GnpZHRjD0sC&printsec=frontcover ''Living on the Boott: Historical Archaeology at the Boott Mills Boardinghouses, Lowell, Massachusetts''], The Lowell Historic Preservation Commission (1996) * Savard, Rita, [http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_14245920 "Three Hard Words: I Need Help: Jobs gone and bills mounting, many more in Greater Lowell seek food aid"], ''The Lowell Sun'', January 22, 2010 * Stanton, Cathy, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ahySBLkwGK0C&printsec=frontcover ''The Lowell Experiment: Public History in a Postindustrial City''], [[University of Massachusetts Press]]. (2006) * Weible, Robert, ed. ''The Continuing Revolution: A History of Lowell, Massachusetts'' (1991) ===Primary sources=== * Denenberg, Barry. ''So Far From Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, An Irish Mill Girl, Lowell, Massachusetts 1847'' (Dear America Series) (2003) * Eisler, Benita, [https://books.google.com/books?id=4vJx8mBHU2YC&printsec=frontcover ''The Lowell Offering: Writings by New England Mill Women (1840-1845)''], J.B. Lippincott (1977); Norton (1998) * Larcom, Lucy, [https://books.google.com/books?id=YGYCAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover "Among Lowell Mill-Girls: a reminiscence"], ''The Atlantic Monthly'', v.XLVIII (48), no.268, November 1881, pp.&nbsp;593–612. * The Lowell Historical Society, [https://books.google.com/books?id=yhJUI-1RVkUC&printsec=frontcover ''Lowell: The Mill City (MA)'' (Postcard History Series)], Arcadia Publishing. (2005), illustrated postcards ==External links== {{commons category|Lowell, Massachusetts}} {{wikivoyage|Lowell (Massachusetts)|Lowell, Massachusetts}} {{Wikisource1911Enc|Lowell}} * [http://www.Lowellma.gov/ City of Lowell official web site] * [http://www.merrimackvalley.org/ Merrimack Valley Region tourist information] * [http://www.Lowellsun.com/ ''Lowell Sun'' newspaper] * [http://library.uml.edu/clh/ University of Massachusetts Lowell, Center for Lowell History] * [https://www.loc.gov/collections/lowell-folklife-project/about-this-collection/ Lowell Folklife Project], Library of Congress * {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Lowell (city)|display=Lowell, Massachusetts|short=x}} * {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Lowell|short=x}} * {{Cite Americana|wstitle=Lowell |short=x}} {{Middlesex County, Massachusetts}} {{Massachusetts}} {{New England}} {{Massachusetts cities and mayors of 100,000 population}} {{Greater_Boston}} {{Northeast Megalopolis}} {{Northeast US}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Lowell, Massachusetts| ]] [[Category:Cities in Massachusetts]] [[Category:County seats in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1653]] [[Category:Massachusetts populated places on the Merrimack River]] [[Category:Early American industrial centers]] [[Category:History of the textile industry]] [[Category:Mayors of Lowell, Massachusetts]] [[Category:1653 establishments in Massachusetts]] [[Category:Cities in Middlesex County, Massachusetts]]'