Norwell, MA

Norwell is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,859 at the 2010 census. Norwell is located about 10 miles west of downtown Boston and is part of the Greater Boston metropolitan area.

Norwell was first settled in 1634 as part of Charlestown. In 1725, it became a separate town and was named for General Nathanael Greene's home town in Rhode Island. The first mill was built in 1727 on the banks of the Sudbury River by Jonathan Belcher and James Bowdoin. The town grew rapidly due to its location on the major transportation routes between Boston and New York City. In 1802, Norwell became a port when it acquired shipping rights on the Charles River downstream from Boston. This led to an increase in shipbuilding and trade, which continues to be an important part of Norwell's economy today.

The early 19th century saw great growth for Norwell as it developed into a thriving mill town with many businesses related to maritime trade such as shipbuilders, merchants, bankers and insurers. However, with the onset of the Industrial Revolution came changes that would forever alter the character of Norwell: factories began to replace mills; transportation shifted from water-based to land-based; and workers moved into neighborhoods that had previously been rural areas or small towns outside of Boston proper. Despite these challenges, Norwell has continued to grow steadily over the past two centuries thanks largely to its strong economic base and its well-educated population which has helped fuel innovation and entrepreneurship throughout town.

Today, Norwell is home to many well-known companies including Raytheon Co., Emerson Electric Co., Jabil Circuit Inc., Abbott Laboratories (formerly Abbott & Costello Laboratories), 3M Company (formerly Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company)and Staples Incorporated among others. Additionally, several universities are located within commuting distance including Northeastern University (which has a campus in nearby Brighton), Tufts University (which has a campus just outside of Boston)and Wheelock College (a women's college). While there are certainly challenges facing any community - such as rising housing costs - overall life in Norwell is very good with excellent schools and plenty of opportunity for both young people and families alike