Top photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
By Jenna Caldwell, The Boston Report. Updated Oct. 27, 2026.
Waltham is a Middlesex County city on the Charles River about 10 miles west of downtown Boston. The 2020 Census counted 65,218 residents. Known as the “Watch City” for the Waltham Watch Company, it is now home to Brandeis University, Bentley University and a large share of the Route 128 office and lab corridor.
Waltham has a mayor and a 15-member City Council, which handles budgets, borrowing, licenses and ordinances through its committees. This page collects our Waltham coverage and links the official resources residents use most.
- Population (2020 Census): 65,218
- Getting there: Waltham has two stops on the MBTA Fitchburg commuter rail line, Waltham and Brandeis/Roberts, plus MBTA bus service including Route 70 to Central Square in Cambridge.
Latest Waltham news
Official Waltham resources
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- Boston City Hall decisions tracker
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- MBTA guide
- All Local Towns pages
Waltham FAQ
How is Waltham, MA governed?
Waltham has a mayor and a 15-member City Council.
How far is Waltham from Boston?
About 10 miles west of downtown Boston, along the Charles River and Route 128.
How many people live in Waltham, MA?
The 2020 U.S. Census counted 65,218 residents.
Sources
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