West Tisbury, Massachusetts

West Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 2,467 at the 2000 census. Along with Chilmark and Aquinnah, West Tisbury forms "Up-Island" Martha's Vineyard. The town is generally considered the "Athens" of the island. [http://www.somoco.com/where/sub1/about_the_vineyard.html

History

West Tisbury was first settled in 1669 and was officially incorporated in 1892. Historically, it has been the agricultural heartland of the island.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 108.1 km² (41.7 mi²). 64.8 km² (25.0 mi²) of it is land and 43.3 km² (16.7 mi²) of it (40.08%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 2,467 people, 1,034 households, and 668 families residing in the town. The population density was 38.1/km² (98.6/mi²). There were 1,849 housing units at an average density of 28.5/km² (73.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.23% White, 0.69% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 1,034 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $54,077, and the median income for a family was $59,514. Males had a median income of $42,813 versus $29,907 for females. The per capita income for the town was $31,021. About 1.6% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

West Tisbury is served by Martha's Vineyard Public Schools.

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

Points of interest in West Tisbury

Polly Hill Arboretum
Grange Hall
General Store
Waskosim's Rock
Biga Bakery