Boxford, Massachusetts
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| Boxford, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Essex County |
| Settled | 1645 |
| Incorporated | 1685 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Town | 24.6 sq mi (63.6 km²) |
| - Land | 24.0 sq mi (62.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 7,921 |
| - Density | 330.4/sq mi (127.6/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01921 |
| Area code(s) | 351 / 978 |
| Website: http://www.town.boxford.ma.us/ | |
Boxford is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,921 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] History
Boxford was first settled in 1645 and was officially incorporated in 1685. The community takes its name from a town of the same name in the United Kingdom.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 63.6 km² (24.6 mi²). 62.1 km² (24.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (2.40%) is water.
The highest natural point in Boxford is Bald Hill, at an elevation of 243 feet (74 meters). It sits in a corner of the Boxford State Forest, near the town's border with Middleton.
Boxford is a geographically large town with almost no commercial development. The town is traditionally divided into Boxford Village (commonly called East Boxford) and West Boxford Village, corresponding to the respective East and West Boxford centers. The "centers" of town each consist of a Congregational church (First Congregational in Boxford and Second Congregational in West Boxford), a general store, a library, and a fire department.
[edit] Demographics
For additional demographic information on the central settlement within Boxford, which is a census-designated place, see the article Boxford (CDP), Massachusetts. It provides details for the village that are included in the aggregate numbers reported here.
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,921 people, 2,568 households, and 2,254 families residing in the town. The population density was 127.6/km² (330.4/mi²). There were 2,610 housing units at an average density of 42.0 persons/km² (108.9 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.34% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,568 households out of which 48.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 12.2% were non-families. 9.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.2% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $113,212, and the median income for a family was $119,491. Males had a median income of $90,397 versus $48,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $48,846. 1.4% of the population and 0.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.8% are under the age of 18 and 3.1% are 65 or older.
[edit] Education
Boxford has one high school, Masconomet Regional High School. It is commonly believed to be in Topsfield because it has a Topsfield Post Office box address. However, the school, which is located on Endicott Road, lies entirely within Boxford.
There are also two elementary schools in Boxford. The Harry Lee Cole School, which serves Preschool through Grade 2, is located near East Boxford center. The Spofford Pond School, serving Grades 3 through 6, is located in West Boxford Village.
Boxford is also home to a retirement home called Four Mile Village, which sits adjacent to picturesque Four Mile Pond.
[edit] Points of interest
Commercial landmarks include Benson's Ice Cream near West Boxford center, Paisley's Farm Stand, Ingaldsby Farm, the Boxford Community store (in East Boxford, also known as "Jack's" or "Wayne's", after its former and current owners), West Village Provisions (West Boxford), and the Boxford House of Pizza. Benson's is traditionally open only from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The various berry flavors of ice cream are made fresh from local berries and are available only when that particular variety of berry is in season.
[edit] Notable residents
- Mark Bavaro (1963-), former football player for the New York Giants[1].
- Thomas Knowlton (1740–1776), American patriot who served as a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolution
- Rufus Porter (1792-1884), painter, founder of Scientific American
[edit] References
- Goode, John. "A Giant Among Us", Boston.com, 2004-12-14. Retrieved on February 3, 2007.
