Douglas, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Settled: 1721 – Incorporated: 1775 | |
| Zip Code(s): 01516 – Area Code(s): 508 / 774 | |
| Official website: http://www.douglasma.org/ | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
 Location in Massachusetts |
|
| Government | |
| County | Worcester County |
| Form of Government | Open town meeting |
| Executive office | Town Administrator |
| Geography | |
| Area | |
| Total | 37.7 mi² / 97.7 km² |
| Land | 36.4 mi² / 94.2 km² |
| Water | 1.3 mi² / 3.5 km² |
| Coordinates | |
| Elevation | 582 ft / 177 m |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| Population | |
| Total (2000) | 7045 |
| Density | 193.7/mi² / 74.8/km² |
Douglas is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,045 at the 2000 census.
For geographic and demographic information on the village of East Douglas, please see the article East Douglas, Massachusetts.
Contents |
[edit] History
Douglas was first settled in 1721 and was officially incorporated in 1746. Being in the Blackstone River Valley it was a major center for industry in the 19th century. The Douglas Axe Company once world known, produced fine axes. There were some other small textile mills as well. The death of the railroads signaled a decline in the industrial sector of the economy. The town now is on an economic boom of commerce as more families move into new devolopments. Hayward landing was once a mill.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 97.7 km² (37.7 mi²). 94.2 km² (36.4 mi²) of it is land and 3.5 km² (1.3 mi²) of it (3.55%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,045 people, 2,476 households, and 1,936 families residing in the town. The population density was 74.8/km² (193.7/mi²). There were 2,588 housing units at an average density of 27.5/km² (71.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.36% White, 0.48% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.
There were 2,476 households out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,529, and the median income for a family was $67,210. Males had a median income of $45,893 versus $31,287 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,036. About 2.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
| County government: Worcester County | |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts: | Francis A. Ford (D) |
| County Treasurer: | Position Eliminated |
| District Attorney: | John J. Conte (D) |
| Registrar of Deeds: | Anthony J. Vigliotti (D) |
| Registrar of Probate: | Stephen Abraham (D) |
| Sheriff: | Guy W. Glodis (D) |
| State government | |
| Representative(s) in General Court: | Paul Kujawski (D) |
| Senator(s) in General Court: | Richard T. Moore (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| Federal government | |
| Member(s) of the U.S. House of Representatives: | Richard E. Neal (D-2nd District), |
| U.S. Senators: | Edward Kennedy (D) John Kerry (D) |
[edit] Miscellaneous
Douglas is the starting point for the Rhode Island North-South Trail and Massachusetts Midstate Trail.
