Douglas, Massachusetts
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| Douglas, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester County |
| Settled | 1721 |
| Incorporated | 1775 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Town | 37.7 sq mi (97.7 km²) |
| - Land | 36.4 sq mi (94.2 km²) |
| - Water | 1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Elevation | 582 ft (177 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 7,045 |
| - Density | 193.7/sq mi (74.8/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01516 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| Website: http://www.douglasma.org/ | |
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.
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[edit] History
The name of Douglas was first given to the teritory of the town in the year 1746. New Sherburn or "New Sherburn Grant" had previously to this date been its designation since its first occupancy by the English settlers which was as early as 1715. The original settlers came primarily from Sherburn, although many hailed from Natick as well. The name was given in 1746, Dr William Douglas, an eminent physician of Boston in consideration of the privilege of naming the township offered the inhabitants the sum of $500.00 as a fund for the establishment of free schools together with a tract of 30 acres of land with a dwelling house and barn theron.
The geological formation consists of quartz, feldspar,and mica. Bolders are plentifully scattered all over town and gold and silver ores are said to be found in some localities. Large quantites of building and ornamental stone are quarried from the granite ledges found in the center of town which is shipped to almost every seciton of New England.
The principal elelvations are Bald Hill 711 feet, Wallum Pond Hill 778 feet, and Mount Daniel 735 feet. The largest of the numerous ponds is Wallum Pond in the southwest section, covering about 150 acres; Badluck Pond in the western part of town covering about 110 acres; Reservoir Pond also in the western part of town covering about 400 acres; and Manchaug Pond in the northern part about 93 acres.
The town is bounded on the north by Oxford, Sutton and Uxbridge, on the east by Sutton and Uxbridge, on the south by Burrillville RI and on the west by Thompson Ct and Webster.
From a very early period reaching beyond 1635 bands of Native Americans principally the Nipmuck tribe monopolized this region of Worcester County and the Blackstone RIver was once called the Nipmuck River.
References taken from Emerson's History of Douglas by Wm A Emerson 1879.
[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: | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| County Treasurer: | Position Eliminated |
| District Attorney: | Joseph D. Early, Jr. (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): | Thomas J. Foley (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] Points of interest
- Douglas is the starting point for the Rhode Island North-South Trail and Massachusetts Midstate Trail.
