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Eastham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,453 at the 2000 census.
For geographic and demographic information about the village of North Eastham, please see North Eastham, Massachusetts.
History
Originally settled by the Nauset Indians, Eastham was officially incorporated by the Plymouth Colony Pilgrims in 1651.
It is discussed at some length in Henry David Thoreau's Cape Cod as the somewhat rugged site of one of New England's largest summer "camp-meeting" evangelistic gatherings in the mid-1800s. The gatherings were at times attended by at least "one hundred and fifty ministers, (!) and five thousand hearers" at a site called Millennium Grove.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 70.6 km² (27.2 mi²). 36.2 km² (14.0 mi²) of it is land and 34.3 km² (13.3 mi²) of it (48.66%) is water. It is bordered by Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on its western and eastern sides, respectively. Approximately one-third of the town is located within the Cape Cod National Seashore, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. Eastham is also bordered by the towns of Wellfleet and Orleans on its northern and southern sides, respectively.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 5,453 people, 2,396 households, and 1,634 families residing in the town. The population density was 150.5/km² (389.8/mi²). There were 5,535 housing units at an average density of 152.8/km² (395.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.31% White, 1.49% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.
There were 2,396 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.66.
In the town the population was spread out with 17.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,618, and the median income for a family was $51,269. Males had a median income of $36,642 versus $32,109 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,642. About 4.5% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Landmarks
Eastham is home to a number of sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Eastham Center Historic District, located near Town Hall, is the site of Eastham Windmill, the oldest windmill on Cape Cod. Another registered historic place, Nauset Light, is located on the grounds of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
See also
External links
"Eastham, Massachusetts"