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 and Transporation

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. Yarmouth is bordered by Cape Cod Bay to the north, Dennis to the east, Nantucket Sound to the south, and Barnstable to the west. Yarmouth is approximately seventy-five miles southwest of Boston.

The Bass River and its tributaries make up the majority of the town's border with Dennis. There are also several smaller ponds throughout the town. The Cape Cod Bay shore is marshy, with several creeks flowing into it. The town's southern shore is known for its beaches, from the west jetty of the Bass River to Great Island, on the east and south sides of Hyannis Harbor. The town has no state forests or wildlife management areas, although there are many such natural, unprotected areas in town. The town is also the site of four golf courses, a rod and gun club, and a Boy Scout camp.

Cape Cod's three major east-west routes, U.S. Route 6, Route 6A and Route 28, all run through the town. Unlike many towns on the Cape, there are no other state routes crossing between the three roads, with all crossing routes being local roads. There are two exits off of Route 6 (also known as the Mid-Cape Highway) in town.

The Bay Colony Railroad line passes from east to west through the town, as does a portion of its spur to Hyannis. There are also several bike paths throughout town. The nearest airport is the Barnstable Municipal Airport, just over the town line. The nearest national and international air service can be reached at Logan International Airport in Boston.

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.

Government, Services and Education

Yarmouth is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the First and Second Barnstable Districts. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a part of the Cape and Islands Districts, which includes all of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket except the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and a portion of Barnstable. The town is home to the Second Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police..

On the national level, Yarmouth is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district, and is currently represented by Bill Delahunt. The state's senior (Class I) member of the United States Senate, re-elected in 2006, is Ted Kennedy. The junior (Class II) Senator, up for re-election in 2008, is John Kerry.

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.

Index of Legislative Representation by City and Town, from Mass.gov

Station D-2, SP Yarmouth

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