Aquinnah is a town, formerly known as Gay Head, located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 344 at the 2000 census. It is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and quiet natural serenity, which has become less common in the heavily populated northeastern United States. The clay cliffs/beach are one of the few nude beaches left in the U.S. More recently, it has become celebrated as a center of Wampanoag culture and a center of pride and tradition amongst members of the tribe, who make up a majority of the town's residents.

History

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Before the arrival of English colonists, Aquinnah was inhabited by the Wampanoag, a Native American people. Aquinnah was first settled by English colonists in 1669 and was officially incorporated in 1870 as Gay Head, Massachusetts. The town re-incorporated in 1995 as Aquinnah (though the downtown area is still known as Gay Head center, albeit unofficially). Throughout its history, the town has remained home to a Wampanoag community, which gained federal recognition in 1987 and controls tribal lands in the town.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 105.6 km² (40.8 mi²). 13.9 km² (5.4 mi²) of it is land and 91.7 km² (35.4 mi²) of it (86.85%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the census² of 2000, there were 344 people, 141 households, and 88 families residing in the town. The population density was 24.8/km² (64.1/mi²). There were 463 housing units at an average density of 33.4/km² (86.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 53.49% White, 0.29% African American, 36.63% Native American, 0.87% from other races, and 8.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 141 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,208, and the median income for a family was $46,458. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,420. About 8.6% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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Aquinnah is served by Martha's Vineyard Public Schools.

Aquinnah is served by Chilmark Elementary School in nearby Chilmark. Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, located in Oak Bluffs, serves the entire island.

Coastal towns of Massachusetts | Dukes County, Massachusetts | Towns in Massachusetts | Martha's Vineyard

Aquinnah, Massachusetts