Somerset, MA

Somerset is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,853 at the 2010 census. Somerset is located in the Boston metropolitan area and is part of the Greater Boston region.

The town was first settled in 1635 as part of Charlestown. It was incorporated as a separate town on February 14, 1793. Somerset's name comes from its location near the boundary between Middlesex and Worcester counties. The area now occupied by Somerset was once part of a large tract of land granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges by King James I in 1629. Gorges named his estate after his home county of Somerset, England.

Somerset is known for its colonial history and architecture, as well as its many parks and gardens. Some notable attractions include the New England Aquarium (opened in 1975), Faneuil Hall Marketplace (one of America's oldest open-air markets), and Tanglewood Music Center (home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra). The downtown district has been designated an historic district and contains many buildings from the 18th century onwards.

Today, much of Somerset's economy revolves around health care services and technology companies such as Microsoft Corporation (which has its world headquarters in nearby Redmond, Washington) and Google Inc.. Other major employers include Raytheon Company (a major defense contractor) and General Electric Company (which operates GE Aviation). In recent years, there has been significant growth in high-tech businesses such as software development companies, information technology consulting firms, web design firms, biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers etc., all attracted by the region's highly educated workforce and low cost of living relative to other metropolitan areas in Massachusetts or elsewhere in North America

Real estate activity has always been an important part of Somerset's economy; since colonial times it has been home to numerous wealthy landowners who have invested heavily in land and property development. Today real estate remains one of the most important sectors of the local economy; according to data compiled by Forbes magazine there are currently over 1,000 real estate agents working within commuting distance of Somerset residents In recent years there has been significant growth both residential sales volume (+27%)and average sale price (+25%). This strong performance reflects both continued demand from local residents for quality housing stock at reasonable prices as well as increasing investment by local developers into new construction projects