Marlborough, city, Middlesex county, east-central Massachusetts, U.S., 27 miles (43 km) west of Boston. Originally part of Sudbury, it was set off as Whipsuferadge Plantation in 1656 and was incorporated as a town in 1660 and named for Marlborough, England. The adjoining Native American plantation of Okammakamefit was annexed in 1718. Shoe manufacturing was begun in 1812. Services and trade are now important to the economy, but the largest share of employment is dependent on manufacturing (computers, electronic equipment, chemicals, shoes, and metal goods). Recreational areas include Sudbury State Forest and the Marlborough Reservoirs. The Peter Rice Homestead is a historical attraction. Inc. city, 1890. Pop. (2000) 36,255; (2010) 38,499.