Chilmark is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 843 at the 2000 census. The fishing village of Menemsha is located on the northern end of town along its border with the neighboring town of Aquinnah. In 2004 it was reported to have the highest average property value of any city or town in Massachusetts.

History

---

Chilmark was first settled in 1671 and was officially incorporated in 1714.

Geography

---

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 260.1 km² (100.4 mi²). 49.6 km² (19.1 mi²) of it is land and 210.5 km² (81.3 mi²) of it (80.94%) is water. It includes the island of Nomans Land, which lies southwest of Martha's Vineyard.

Demographics

---

As of the census² of 2000, there were 843 people, 382 households, and 237 families residing in the town. The population density was 17.0/km² (44.0/mi²). There were 1,409 housing units at an average density of 28.4/km² (73.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.75% White, 0.36% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 382 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,917, and the median income for a family was $63,750. Males had a median income of $35,469 versus $33,281 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,029. About 5.7% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

---

Chilmark is served by Martha's Vineyard Public Schools.

Chilmark has and is served by Chilmark Elementary School. 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

Chilmark, Massachusetts