Edgartown, Massachusetts

Edgartown is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 3,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dukes County⁶.

History

Edgartown was first settled in 1642 and was officially incorporated in 1671.

It is well known as having been one of the primary ports for the whaling industry during the 1800s. Ships from all over the world would dock in its sheltered bay and captains would build grand mansions for their families with ornate top floor rooms called widow's walks, which overlooked the harbor. Wives would watch for months from these tiny rooms, hoping to see the sails of ships that would bring their husbands home from the sea.

As more economical alternatives became available the whaling industry began to decline. By the beginning of the 20th century its influence on the tiny town which had made its fortunes off the great beasts of the sea, was ended.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 317.9 km² (122.7 mi²). 69.9 km² (27.0 mi²) of it is land and 248.0 km² (95.8 mi²) of it (78.01%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 3,779 people, 1,582 households, and 957 families residing in the town. The population density was 54.1/km² (140.0/mi²). There were 4,360 housing units at an average density of 62.4/km² (161.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.33% White, 1.77% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.53% from other races, and 2.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 1,582 households out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,407, and the median income for a family was $55,153. Males had a median income of $36,615 versus $30,205 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,740. About 2.7% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Edgartown is served by Martha's Vineyard Public Schools.

Edgartown has and is served by Edgartown Elementary School. Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, located in Oak Bluffs, serves the entire island.

External links

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