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Whitman is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,882 at the 2000 census.
Whitman is located approximately 20 miles south of Boston and 15 miles west of Massachusetts Bay.
The village of Auburnville is located at the southwest edge of Whitman.
History
Whitman was first settled in 1670 and was officially incorporated in 1875. In the 1930s, Ruth Graves Wakefield invented chocolate chip cookies in Whitman at the Toll House Inn on Bedford Street. The Toll House burned completely in a fire that originated in the kitchen, and was not rebuilt. The site is marked with a historical marker, and that land is now home to a Wendy's restaurant.
Whitman has a rich history that is deeply rooted in the shoemaking industry. Regal Shoe, and Bostonian Shoe are perhaps the most notable and at one time there were over 20 shoe factories and related factories making metal shanks in town. There are a few abandoned factories left, and some have been turned into condominiums.
The former pastor of Whitman's Holy Ghost Church, Father Robert Reed, is currently the Director of Boston Catholic Television, which has quickly become the forefront Catholic television station in the country. Many credit his hard work as Holy Ghost's pastor for giving him the attention that got him the promotion.
Whitman's high school is merged with neighboring town, Hanson, forming Whitman Hanson Regional High School district, (WHRHS) and the first graduating class to complete 4 years at the first WHRHS building graduated in 1965. Notably, Alex Karalexis of the television reality show The Ultimate Fighter graduated from the school. Other famous graduates of WHRHS are Steve Smith of the rock band Journey and Jon "Bowzer" Bauman and Lenny Baker of Sha Na Na. In 2005, a new WHRHS building was erected in the woods behind where the original was located. The original was demolished the same year. The new high school is one of the most technologically advanced public schools in the world.
Recreation in the town of Whitman can be found in the form of fishing and canoeing at Hobart's Pond near the center of town and also at Hardings Pond on Pine Street. Peaceful Meadows Farm, near the border of East Bridgewater, is popular for its award-winning ice cream and its rustic scenery. There are also many activities to engage in at Whitman Town Park.
"Whitman" chocolates are not connected to the town of Whitman.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.1 km² (7.0 mi²). 18.0 km² (7.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,882 people, 4,999 households, and 3,604 families residing in the town. The population density was 770.1/km² (1,995.7/mi²). There were 5,104 housing units at an average density of 283.1/km² (733.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.15% White, 0.65% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.
There were 4,999 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,303, and the median income for a family was $63,706. Males had a median income of $41,950 versus $30,629 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,002. About 2.0% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
"Whitman, Massachusetts"