Wareham, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wareham, Massachusetts | |
 |
|
 |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Plymouth County |
| Settled | 1678 |
| Incorporated | 1739 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Town | 46.3 sq mi (119.9 km²) |
| - Land | 35.8 sq mi (92.7 km²) |
| - Water | 10.5 sq mi (27.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Town | 20,335 |
| - Density | Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "["/sq mi (568.1 mi² / 219.3/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 02571 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| Website: http://www.wareham.ma.us/ | |
Wareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335.
For geographic and demographic information about specific parts of the town of Wareham, please see the articles about Onset, Wareham Center, West Wareham, and Weweantic.
Contents |
[edit] History
Wareham was first settled in 1678 as part of the towns of Plymouth and Rochester. It was officially incorporated in 1739 and named for the town of Wareham, England. Because of its geography, Wareham's early industry revolved around shipbuilding and the related industries. It also served as a resort town, with many smaller resorts scattered around the town, especially in Onset. Like neighboring Sandwich,its waterways, especially Buttermilk Bay, were considered as possible pathways for the Cape Cod Canal. Although the Canal proper goes through Bourne and Sandwich, the southern approach to Buzzards Bay passes just south of the peninsulas that make up the topography of the town. Today, the town is mostly residential, and still has a strong summer tourism industry. It is also known today for its retail center, along Routes 6 and 28.
The Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League play at Clem Spillane Field at Wareham High School every summer from mid-June to early August.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 119.9 km² (46.3 mi²). 92.7 km² (35.8 mi²) of it is land and 27.1 km² (10.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 22.64% water. Wareham is bordered by Marion to the southwest, Rochester to the northwest, Carver and Plymouth to the north, and Bourne to the east. The town's localities are numerous; the most important being East Wareham, Onset, Point Independence, Wareham Center, and West Wareham. The town is just west of Cape Cod, and is 18 miles east of New Bedford, approximately 45 miles east of Providence, Rhode Island and 55 miles south-southeast of Boston.
Wareham is the innermost town on the north shore of Buzzards Bay. The Weweantic River empties in the southwest corner of town, with the Sippican River and other brooks emptying into it. The Wareham River, which is formed at the confluence of the Wakinco and Agawam Rivers, flows into the harbor east of the Weweantic, and also has other brooks and the Mill Pond River as tributaries. To the east lie Onset Bay and Buttermilk Bay, both of which emtpy into the head of the bay, at the right-of-way of the Cape Cod Canal. Between these rivers and bays lie several points and necks, including Cromesett Point, Swift's Neck, Long Beach Point, Indian Neck, Stony Point, Cedar Island Point, Codman's Point, Sias Point and Whittemore's Point. In the north of the town is the southern portion of the Miles Standish State Forest.
[edit] Transportation
The town has always been a vital transportation point, as the Bay Colony Railroad crosses through the town on its way to Cape Cod. Interstates 495 and 195 both terminate in the western part of town, with I-495's highway route continuing on as Route 25, which passes through town and around Buttermilk Bay before ending at the Bourne Bridge. Additionally, U.S. Route 6 and Route 28 meet in East Wareham, and continue on towards Cape Cod. Route 58's southern terminus is at Route 28 in West Wareham.
The nearest regional bus and air service is in New Bedford. The nearest national and international flights can be reached at Logan International Airport in Boston.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 20,335 people, 8,200 households, and 5,338 families residing in the town. The population density was 219.3/km² (568.1/mi²). There were 10,670 housing units at an average density of 115.1/km² (298.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.42% White, 2.92% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.20% from other races, and 3.43% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,200 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,422, and the median income for a family was $45,750. Males had a median income of $37,601 versus $28,306 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,312. 10.7% of the population and 8.1% of families were below the poverty line. 16.6% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] Government
Wareham is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the Second Plymouth district, which also includes Carver and part of Bourne. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a part of the First Plymouth and Bristol district, which also includes Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Dighton Marion, Middleborough, Raynham and Taunton.[1] The town is patrolled by the Seventh (Bourne) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police.[2]
On the national level, Wareham is the eastern-most town of Massachusetts's 4th congressional district, and is currently represented by Barney Frank. The state's senior (Class I) member of the United States Senate, re-elected in 2006, is Ted Kennedy. The junior (Class II) Senator, up for re-election in 2008, is John Kerry.
Wareham is governed by the open town meeting form of government, which is led by a town administrator and a board of selectmen. There is a central police station located along Route 28. The volunteer fire department has stations located in Wareham Center, East Wareham, Onset, West Wareham and near Glen Charlie Pond in the northeast corner of town. There are four post offices for the town's four ZIP codes, located in East Wareham (02538), West Wareham (02576), Wareham Center (02571) and a branch office in Onset (02558). The town's public library, located next to the town hall, is part of the SAILS library network.
[edit] Education
Wareham runs its own school department. There are five elementary schools (John W. Decas, East Wareham, Ethel E. Hammond, Minot Forest Elementary and West Wareham) serving the town, as well as Wareham Middle School and Wareham High School. Wareham High competes in the South Coast Conference for athletics. Their nickname is the "Vikings," and their colors are Blue, White, and Gold. Wareham competes with Bourne High School in their annual Thanksgiving Day football game.
High school students may also choose to attend Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School in Bourne. There are no private schools in the town, with the nearest being Tabor Academy in Marion. The nearest Catholic high school is Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth.
