Blackstone, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Settled: 1662 – Incorporated: 1845 | |
| Zip Code(s): 01504 – Area Code(s): 508 / 774 | |
| Official website: http://www.townofblackstone.org/ | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
 Location in Massachusetts |
|
| Government | |
| County | Worcester County |
| Form of Government | Open town meeting |
| Town Administrator | Raymond W. Houle, Jr. |
| Board of Selectmen | Charles J. Sawyer, Chairman Constance D. Perreault, Vice-Chairperson Margaret Bik Robert J. Dubois Robert J. Kluchevitz |
| Geography | |
| Area | |
| Total | 11.2 mi² / 29.1 km² |
| Land | 10.9 mi² / 28.2 km² |
| Water | 0.3 mi² / 0.9 km² |
| Coordinates | |
| Elevation | 186 ft / 57 m |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| Population | |
| Total (2000) | 8804 |
| Density | 807.4/mi² / 311.7/km² |
Blackstone is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,804 at the 2000 census.
Contents |
[edit] History
Blackstone was first settled in 1662 and was officially incorporated in 1845. It was named after William Blaxton, the first settler in Boston and Rhode Island. Initially, the town was part of Mendon, MA before becoming a separate municipality. Prior to 1915, Blackstone contained the area to the west that would break away and become Millville, MA.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.1 km² (11.2 mi²). 28.2 km² (10.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (2.94%) is water. The Blackstone River, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, meanders west to south east, on the south border of town.
The town is bordered by North Smithfield, RI and Woonsocket, RI to the south; Millville, MA to the west; Mendon, MA to the north, and Bellingham MA (Norfolk County) to the east.
The town contains two villages: Millerville and East Blackstone.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 8,804 people, 3,235 households, and 2,355 families residing in the town. The population density was 311.9/km² (807.4/mi²). There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 118.0/km² (305.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.39% White, 0.33% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 3,235 households out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,163, and the median income for a family was $61,633. Males had a median income of $42,100 versus $27,448 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,936. About 1.8% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% 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: | Jennifer M. Callahan (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) |
