Yarmouth, Massachusetts

There are other places named Yarmouth.

Yarmouth is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census.

For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Yarmouth, please see the articles on South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth, and Yarmouth Port.

History

Yarmouth was first settled in 1639 and was officially incorporated that same year. It originally was founded by the Pilgrims, and covered lands currently part of the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham and Harwich. Farming and the sea provided the industry for the early settlers to the town, with both the northern and southern ports being active in industry. This brought wealth to Yarmouth, which can still be seen today in its historic districts. The railroad came in the mid-1800s, and helped Yarmouth become a tourist destination. Today the town is mostly known for its tourist industry and shopping, as it is the home of the original Christmas Tree Shops on Route 28.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.1 km² (28.2 mi²). 62.8 km² (24.2 mi²) of it is land and 10.3 km² (4.0 mi²) of it (14.07%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 24,807 people, 11,520 households, and 6,900 families residing in the town. The population density was 395.0/km² (1,023.0/mi²). There were 16,605 housing units at an average density of 264.4/km² (684.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.23% White, 1.34% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 11,520 households out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the town the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,808, and the median income for a family was $48,148. Males had a median income of $37,090 versus $26,741 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,731. About 5.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

• Timothy Alden, (1771-1839), born in Yarmouth, Congregational Church clergyman and founder of Allegheny College

References

Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Street Atlas. South Easton, MA: Arrow Maps Inc., 2004, p. 96.

Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1967.

External links

• Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce official website
• Town of Yarmouth official website
• Official Yarmouth tourist information website