Named after Chelmsford, England, the town was incorporated in May 1655 by an act of the Massachusetts General Court. The farming community of East Chelmsford was incorporated as Lowell in the 1820s. Chelmsford experienced a drastic increase in population between 1950 and 1970, coinciding with the connection of U.S. Route 3 in Lowell to Massachusetts Route 128 in the 1950s and the extension of U.S. Route 3 from Chelmsford to New Hampshire in the 1960s. But the town still maintains a community focus and a rustic feel. With its community gardens and state Green Community designation, it’s a great place for those who feel most at home outdoors.
As explained on the town’s website, today’s Chelmsford thrives “on the enthusiastic sense of volunteerism and engagement exhibited through our residents and local businesses.” The school system is one of the best ranked in the state, and the community was voted one of the top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. by Money Magazine first in 2007 and again in 2011.

Throughout the year, Chelmsford residents enjoy such events as the FallFest and Apple Fair, summer and fall farmers markets, a Halloween Parade, the Holiday Prelude, the WinterFest, and a Memorial Day parade. Many of these occur in Chelmsford Center, the traditional commercial and civic center of the town. A state-designated historic district, this area is home to many small locally owned and operated retail, office, and service businesses.