Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is a city of 41,798 people in Worcester County, Massachusetts, founded in 1730.
Why visit Fitchburg
Townapedia lists 50 museums and landmarks, 78 parks and trails, 149 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 29 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Fitchburg State University, 5th street bridge, Crocker Field and Fay Club.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81°F; February lows average 14°F.
Weather in Fitchburg
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Fitchburg
Fitchburg is a city in northern Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The third-largest city in the county, its population was 41,946 at the 2020 census. Fitchburg State University is located here.
From the Wikipedia article Fitchburg, Massachusetts (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do29
Fitchburg State University
School · 1.6 mi
Public university in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States
5th street bridge
Bridge · 2.3 mi
Cable stayed bridge in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Whalom Park
Monument and historic site · 4.0 mi
Former amusement park in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, United States
Lanni Orchards
Farm and orchard · 3.5 mi
294 Chase Road, Lunenburg
Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 11:00-16:00
New Players Theatre Guild Center for the Performing Arts
Cinema and theater · 1.3 mi
15 Rollstone Street
Stratos Dukakis Performing Arts Center
Cinema and theater · 3.6 mi
1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg
17 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks50
Crocker Field
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Sports complex in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States
Fay Club
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Building in Massachusetts, United States
658 Main Street
Fitchburg Historical Society
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Massachusetts organization
781 Main Street, Fitchburg
Mo-Tu 10:00-16:00; We 10:00-18:00
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Leominster High School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Historic school building at 261 West Street in Leominster, Massachusetts
122 Granite Street, Leominster
Ashburnham Center Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Historic district in Ashburnham, Massachusetts
Billerica Town Common District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Cambridge Grant Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
Historic district in Massachusetts, United States
Cluett Peabody & Company
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 6.1 mi
Factory in Leominster, Massachusetts, United States
Duck Mill
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Historic mill complex in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States
Ezra Wood-Levi Warner Place
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Building in Massachusetts, United States
F. A. Whitney Carriage Company Complex Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.9 mi
Historic district in Massachusetts, United States
38 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds78
Doyle Community Park & Center
Park · 4.3 mi
Park in Massachusetts, United States of America
Howard St Access to Mulpus Brook
Hiking and trails · 3.4 mi
260 Howard Street, Lunenburg
sunrise-sunset
Table Rock Conservation Area
Hiking and trails · 2.8 mi
994 Northfield Rd, Lunenburg
sunrise-sunset
66 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes149
Crown Fried Chicken
Restaurant · Chicken · 1.7 mi
70 North St, Fitchburg
Mo-We,Su 10:00-22:00; Th-Sa 10:00-23:00
Pudgey Tea
Cafe · Bubble Tea · 1.8 mi
35 Main Street, Fitchburg
Tu,We,Th 12:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00
Smokestack Roasters Coffee
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.5 mi
39 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg
Fr-Sa 07:00-16:00; Su-Th 07:00-15:00
Taqueria Central
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.2 mi
131 Westminster Street
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Ninety-Nine
Restaurant · 2.8 mi
275 Summer Street
Mo-We 11:00-21:30; Th-Sa 11:00-22:30; Su 11:00-21:00
Espresso Pizza & Eatery
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.5 mi
584 Main Street, Fitchburg
137 more on the map.
History
Fitchburg was first settled in by Europeans in 1730 as part of Lunenburg, and was officially set apart from that town and incorporated in 1764. The area was previously occupied by the Nipmuc tribe. It is named for John Fitch, one of the committee that procured the act of incorporation. In July 1748 Fitch and his family, living in this isolated spot, were abducted to Canada by Native Americans, but returned the next year.
Fitchburg is situated on both the Nashua River and a railroad line. The original Fitchburg Railroad ran through the Hoosac Tunnel, linking Boston and Albany, New York. The tunnel was built using the Burleigh Rock Drill, designed and built in Fitchburg. Fitchburg was a 19th-century industrial center. Originally operated by water power, large mills produced machines, tools, clothing, paper, and firearms. The city is noted for its architecture, particularly in the Victorian style, built at the height of its mill town prosperity. A few examples of these 19th century buildings are the Fay Club, the old North Worcester County Courthouse and the Bullock house.
In 1922, it was affected by the 1922 New England Textile Strike, shutting down the mills in the city over an attempted wage cut.
As the city is one of Worcester County's two shire towns, it has hosted the Northern Worcester County Registry of Deeds, established in 1903, and the county jail on Water Street.
From the History section of Fitchburg, Massachusetts on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
Churches and places of worship51
Calvinistic Congregational Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Faith United Parish
Church · Church Of Christ, Methodist · 1.3 mi
820 Main Street, Fitchburg
The Salvation Army Center For Worship And Service
Church · Salvation Army · 2.8 mi
739 Water Street, Fitchburg
Shopping30
Gas and EV charging24
Schools, colleges and libraries44
Advanced Community Experience Program
School · 4.8 mi
1025 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg
Center For Technical Education Innovation
School · 5.1 mi
122 Granite Street, Leominster
Healthcare12
UMass Memorial HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital - Fitchburg Campus
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.5 mi
275 Nichols Road, Fitchburg
CareWell Urgent Care UMASS Memorial
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.6 mi
380 John Fitch Highway
UMass Memorial Health Fitchburg Primary Care
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.4 mi
370 Lunenburg Street
Community Health Connections - Fitchburg Community Health Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.5 mi
Map of Fitchburg
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34°F | 15°F | 3.5 in |
| Feb | 35°F | 14°F | 3.3 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 23°F | 4.3 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 35°F | 4.2 in |
| May | 67°F | 46°F | 3.7 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 55°F | 4.3 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 61°F | 3.7 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 59°F | 4.3 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 51°F | 4.2 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 39°F | 5.3 in |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 22°F | 4.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Fitchburg Coop (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Worcester County has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-05-15: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2023-09-15: Hurricane Lee (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-07-19: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2015-04-13: Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Gardner Municipal Airport (GDM) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 miles away.
- Lunenburg 5 mi east, about 7 min by car
- Leominster 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- South Ashburnham 7 mi west, about 11 min by car
- Gardner 9 mi west, about 14 min by car
- Shirley 9 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
- Devens 11 mi east, about 18 min by car
- Ayer 12 mi east, about 19 min by car
- Pepperell 12 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Winchendon 13 mi northwest, about 20 min by car
- South Lancaster 13 mi southeast, about 21 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Downtown Fitchburg MA aerial, Nick Allen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- "Bridge-in-a-Backpack", Fitchburg, June 7, 2011 (5809389899), MassDOT, Public domain
- Fitchburg, Bridge-in-a-Backpack, June 7, 2011 (5809574571), MassDOT, Public domain
- Sentinel and Enterprise building Fitchburg MA, Tim Pierce, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Crossroads Community Church, Fitchburg MA, John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Depot Square, Fitchburg - 1905 postcard, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Railroad bridge over Nashua River in Fitchburg, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Track work on Nashua River bridges in Fitchburg, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center from west October 2025, 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0
- Fitchburg station garage from Water Street, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center panorama, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Old and new Fitchburg stations, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY 3.0
- Old Fitchburg platform, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY 3.0
- End of station siding at Fitchburg, December 2013, Pi.1415926535, CC BY 3.0
- Fitchburg ITC from garage roof, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY 3.0
- Fitchburg station platform from garage, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- MART route 2 bus at Fitchburg ITC, November 2017, Beantowndude316 from USA, CC BY 2.0
- Track work from Fitchburg garage, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Old Fitchburg platform from parking garage, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg bus bays from garage, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center panorama, December 2014, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg Intermodal Transportation Center bus stands October 2025, 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0
- Track work from Fitchburg station platform, November 2015, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fitchburg ITC buildings, December 2013, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Low platform at Fitchburg station, December 2013, Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 5, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 3, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 2, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 1, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 6, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA MoranSquareHD 4, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fitchburg - Moran Square Historic District - 20231003151312, Edenaviv5, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Fitchburg Art Museum, MA, John Phelan, CC BY 3.0
- FitchburgMA CrockerPark, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA HistoricalSociety, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- LeominsterMA OldHighSchool, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FitchburgMA FayClub, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pine Grove Cemetery, Leominster MA, John Phelan, CC BY 3.0
- FitchburgMA SafetyFundNationalBank, User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
- LeominsterMA JewettPianoFactoryBuilding, Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0
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