HomeMassachusettsWoburn

Woburn, Massachusetts

Pronounced "WOO-burn," this north Boston suburb gained national attention through the book and film "A Civil Action," which chronicled the community's fight against industrial water contamination that caused childhood leukemia.
Founded 1642 | Population 40,000 | Peak 40,000 (2024) | County Middlesex County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Woburn, Massachusetts

undefined
1642Founded: Woburn was founded in Middlesex County.
undefined
1889Incorporated: Woburn was officially incorporated as a city.
undefined
1986Civil Action: Toxic water.
undefined
2010Modern Era: Woburn continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
🧠
How Well Do You Know Woburn?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Complete Historical Timeline

1642 Culture
Founded
1889 Government
Incorporated
1986 Disaster
Civil Action
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
WOO-burn.
2
A Civil Action toxic water.
3
N Boston suburb.
4
Woburn is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
5
Woburn was founded in 1642.

Famous People from Woburn, Massachusetts

BT
Benjamin Thompson
Writer, Engineer · Born Mar 26, 1753 · Died Aug 21, 1814 (age 61)
EB
Eric Bogosian
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Apr 24, 1953 · Age 72
NK
Nancy Kerrigan
Film Director, Figure Skater · Born Oct 13, 1969 · Age 56
CC
Christopher J. Coyne
Catholic Priest, Catholic Bishop · Born Jun 17, 1958 · Age 67
LW
Lyle R. Wheeler
Scenographer · Born Feb 2, 1905 · Died Jan 10, 1990 (age 84)
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Woburn's history right.