Duxbury, Massachusetts
Duxbury is a coastal town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Although not located in the same county as Boston, Duxbury is considered to be a Boston suburb, located approximately 35 miles to the south of that city. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 14,248.
For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Duxbury, please see the articles on Cedar Crest, Duxbury (CDP), and South Duxbury.
History
Duxbury was first settled in 1624 by Myles Standish who named the town after Duxbury Woods in his home town of Chorley, Great Britain. Several of the surviving "Pilgrims" settled in Duxbury, including George Soule. The town was officially incorporated in 1637.
The Myles Standish Burying Ground in Duxbury is claimed to be the oldest maintained cemetery in the United States.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 97.4 km² (37.6 mi²). 61.5 km² (23.8 mi²) of it is land and 35.9 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 36.87% water.
Duxbury is the sixth largest cranberry producer in Massachusetts. It also has come in recent years to be known for its oyster beds, as well as other shellfish.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 14,248 people, 4,946 households, and 3,941 families residing in the town. The population density is 231.6/km² (599.8/mi²). There are 5,345 housing units at an average density of 86.9/km² (225.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.80% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,946 households out of which 41.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% are non-families. 17.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.85 and the average family size is 3.26.
In the town the population is spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $97,124, and the median income for a family is $106,245. Males have a median income of $77,228 versus $41,730 for females. The per capita income for the town is $40,242. 2.3% of the population and 1.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Famous residents
- The indie rock singer Juliana Hatfield (b. 1967) grew up in Duxbury, and attended Duxbury High School.
- Former NBA center Bill Curley starred at Duxbury High School and later at Boston College before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.
- Joe Perry, guitarist for Aerosmith, was Duxbury's most famous resident for many years.
- Pat Leahy, an NHL hockey player currently playing for the Boston Bruins, was born in Duxbury in 1979.
Points of interest
External links
Duxbury at Yahoo maps
Map of Duxbury cemeteries
The Town of Duxbury
Duxbury Public Schools
