About Malden

Community Profile

The following information is taken from the city of Malden website. Visit the City of Malden’s website for lots of information about our beautiful city – voted by Business Week magazine as the best city in Massachusetts to raise a family in 2008!

Location

Five miles northwest of Boston bordered by Melrose/Stoneham to the North, Medford to the West, Everett on the South, Revere to the East. Convenient to Logan Airport and Routes 1, 16, 93, 99 and 128.


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Date of Founding

Established as a town on May 2, 1649; incorporated as a city on March 31, 1882. Malden observed its 350th anniversary during a year long celebration from May 1999 to June 2000.

Land

5 square miles

Population

58,688 (approx.)

Government

Mayor elected to a four year term and an eleven member City Council elected biennially. Nine member School Committee, including the Mayor, who serves as chairperson, elected for two years.

Public Transportation

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – Two Orange Line stations connecting all points. Commuter rail service linking Malden to Haverhill via the Reading/Haverhill Commuter Line. Regional bus terminal for seven communities. The Malden Center Orange Line Station is the fifth busiest station on the MBTA’s Orange Line system of 18 stations. More than 12,000 commuters use the station on a daily basis.

Housing

26,000 (approx.) units comprised of owner-occupied one, two and three family homes and several multi-family residential complexes. Styles vary; Malden is noted for its rich collection of fine Victorian-era homes.

Average Housing Costs

Single family: $363,631 (Source: MLS)

Business

Approximately 1,800 businesses are located in City. The business base is quite diverse. Many manufacturers, service-oriented companies and financial institutions have made Malden their home. Malden boasts an active Chamber of Commerce, 200 Pleasant Street, (781) 322-4500.

Tax Rate

Tax Rate: Fiscal Year 2009: Residential, $9.91 (per $1,000); Commercial, $18.17 (per $1,000).

The City offers a residential exemption program for owner-occupants.

Labor Force

30,000 Malden residents of diverse backgrounds including professional, skilled and clerical. There is an additional labor pool of 300,000 within a five-mile radius.

Income

Median family income, $55,557 (2000 U.S. Census)

Recreation

Approximately 30 park sites throughout the city providing a variety of recreational facilities including tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, and ball fields. Other sites include a 400-meter synthetic running track at Macdonald Stadium; the 56-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation; the 25 acre Fellsmere Pond; an DCR-owned and operated swimming pool, a 30,000 sq. ft. fieldhouse built under the new school rebuilding plan, and Pine Banks, operated by a Board of Trustees with equal representation by the cities of Malden and Melrose.

Fire

Three fire stations; headed by a Commissioner and Chief.

Police

One police station; headed by a Commissioner and Chief.

Library

A new $6.5 million addition to the library, dedicated on October 27, 1996, houses over 220,000 books and other materials. Services include a computerized database with many full-text magazine articles. CD-ROM databases and Internet access for the public will be offered in the fall. The original building, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers access to local history, genealogy and other special book collections. The Ryder Art Gallery, housing an impressive collection of European and American art, is open on request.

Community Resources

The Malden Redevelopment Authority serves as the city’s economic development agency providing assistance to business and operating low-interest rehab and mortgage programs for business and homeowners (781-324-5720); the Malden Housing Authority, manages some 1,400 units of state and federal housing, as well as a section of subsidized housing program; Malden Access Television, 145 Pleasant Street, operates three public access stations; Newspapers: The Boston Globe (daily); The Boston Herald (daily); Malden Evening News (daily), 781-321-8000; Malden Observer (weekly), 781-393-1827; Malden Advocate (weekly), 617-387-2000.

Education

Public: Five new K-8 schools and one comprehensive high school (Grades nine through 12). Malden students also attend the publicly-funded Mystic Valley Charter School (K-8), located in Malden. Parochial: Two elementary and one high school. Malden is also a member of the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School System. Massachusetts Department of Education is headquartered in downtown Malden.

Youth Activities

Babe Ruth League, Little League, Pop Warner, Youth Soccer, Youth Hockey, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA and YWCA.