Saugus, Massachusetts

Saugus is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 26,078 at the 2000 census.

History

Saugus was first settled in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1815. The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, in operation from 1646-1668, was the first integrated iron works in North America. It is now a National Historic Site.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.4 km² (11.8 mi²). 28.5 km² (11.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (6.55%) is water. While the town has a shoreline, it doesn't have a beach.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,078 people, 9,975 households, and 7,142 families residing in the town. The population density was 916.2/km² (2,373.7/mi²). There were 10,122 housing units at an average density of 355.6/km² (921.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.32% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population. The U.S Census also shows that 36% is of Italian descent, and 24% is of Irish descent dominating the town. The Italian population mostly migrated over the years from East Boston or Revere, the Irish from South Boston or Somerville.

There were 9,975 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $55,301, and the median income for a family was $65,782. Males had a median income of $43,219 versus $32,783 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,524. About 3.1% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Organizations

There is an abundance of local organizations based within Saugus.

The Saugus Historical Society works to cultivate an interest in the history of the town of Saugus, and to collect and preserve all matter pertaining to the town's history and citizenry. The organization was begun in 1928.

The Saugus Chamber of Commerce started in 1971 under the name of the Route One Businessmen's Association. It changed its name in 1988 to the Route One Area Business Association; it became the Saugus Chamber of Commerce in 1991. The Saugus Business Partnership is sometimes confused with the Chamber, but is a distinct organization formed in 2003.

The Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) incorporated in 1973 and works toward a "better quality of life through environmental concern and action". It serves at once both as a volunteer organization (performing many duties including helping maintain the local tree farm) and a political organization (staging protests and taking public stands on local laws).

Saugus.net was founded in 1998 and exists independently of (but cooperatively with) the town government and other local organizations.

The Theatre Company of Saugus, founded in 1968 as the "Town-Criers," produces several amateur plays each year. The TCS recently had the honor of performing the play Interview by Jean-Claude Van Itallie in Belgium.

Other local organizations worthy of mention include the Friends of Saugus Town Hall, the Friends of Breakheart Reservation, the Saugus High School Alumni Association, Boy Scout Troops 61 and 62, the Essex UFOlogists, and the Hammersmith Quilters' Guild.

Saugus also has local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Masons, Rotary Club, Lions, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club, and the Rotary Club. (More information on these clubs can be found on their respective websites)

Media

Besides the already-mentioned Saugus.net, there is also a local cable station and a handful of local newspapers including The Saugus Advertiser, The Saugonian, The Saugus View, and The Saugus Advocate.

Stephen King's Cell (novel) features a scene where the protagonists walk down the Miracle Mile.

Points of interest

External links

Saugus, Massachusetts | Towns in Massachusetts | Essex County, Massachusetts