Westport, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Settled: 1670 – Incorporated: 1787 | |
| Zip Code(s): 02790 – Area Code(s): 508 / 774 | |
| Official website: http://www.westport-ma.gov | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
 Location in Massachusetts |
|
| Government | |
| County | Bristol County |
| Form of Government | Open town meeting |
| Executive office | Town Administrator |
| Geography | |
| Area | |
| Total | 64.4 mi² / 166.8 km² |
| Land | 50.1 mi² / 129.6 km² |
| Water | 14.3 mi² / 37.1 km² |
| Coordinates | |
| Elevation | 50 ft / 15 m |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| Population | |
| Total (2000) | 14183 |
| Density | 283.4/mi² / 109.4/km² |
Westport is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 14,183 at the 2000 census.
For geographic and demographic information on the village of North Westport, please see the article North Westport, Massachusetts.
[edit] History
Westport was first settled in 1670, as a part of the town of Dartmouth by members of the Sisson family. Like many areas, Westport was affected by invading Wampanoags during King Phillip's War. Several small mills were built along the Westport River, and in 1787, the town, along with the town of New Bedford, separated from Dartmouth. The town's name comes from the fact that it is the westernmost port in Massachusetts. There were several cotton mills along the river, the largest of which was at the junction of the river with Lake Noquochoke on the Dartmouth town line. During World War II, a coastal defense installation was raised on Gooseberry Neck. The town is now mostly residential, with a large farming community. Horseneck Beach State Reservation, located to the north and west of Gooseberry Neck, is a popular summer destination for many in the area.
(Source: Westport Historical Society http://www.westporthistory.com/timeline/)
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 166.8 km² (64.4 mi²). 129.6 km² (50.0 mi²) of it is land and 37.1 km² (14.3 mi²) of it (22.27%) is water. The majority of that water area is from the Watuppa Ponds along the Fall River line, as well as Westport Harbor, where the two branches of the Westport River meet before emptying into Buzzards Bay.
The town is accessible via Interstate 195, US Route 6, and Route 177. Route 88 is entirely within the town's borders, and serves as an access from I-195 to Horseneck Beach State Reservation via Exit 10.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,183 people, 5,386 households, and 4,082 families residing in the town. The population density was 109.4/km² (283.4/mi²). There were 6,143 housing units at an average density of 47.4/km² (122.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.01% White, 0.17% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 5,386 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,436, and the median income for a family was $64,568. Males had a median income of $41,890 versus $30,921 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,281. About 3.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.
