Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England, and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford (borough). It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately north east of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester. The town currently has a population of approximately 102,400.
The main conurbation incorporates all or part of the former parishes of: Broomfield, Essex, Great Baddow, Moulsham, Widford, Essex and Springfield, Essex, including Springfield Barnes, now more commonly know as Chelmer Village.
The town is surrounded by many small villages that retain their original charm (examples of these are Danbury, Essex, Writtle, Good and High Easter, Roxwell, Mashbury, Chignal Smealy, Little Baddow, Great and Little Waltham, Howe Street, Pleshey and Bicknacre).
Chelmsford is a modern, well placed town that has a large number of commuters who work in the City of London financial sector, and its residents are known as 'Chelmsfordians'.
