Boxford, Massachusetts

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Boxford, Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°39′40″N 70°59′50″W / 42.66111, -70.99722
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Essex
Settled 1645
Incorporated 1685
Government
 - Type Open town meeting
Area
 - Total 24.6 sq mi (63.6 km²)
 - Land 24.0 sq mi (62.1 km²)
 - Water 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Elevation 95 ft (29 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 7,921
 - Density 330.4/sq mi (127.6/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01921
Area code(s) 351 / 978
FIPS code 25-07420
GNIS feature ID 0618294
Website: http://www.town.boxford.ma.us/

Boxford is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 7,921 at the 2000 census.

Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Boxford.

Contents

[edit] History

Boxford was first settled in 1646 and was officially incorporated in 1685. The community takes its name from a town of the same name in the United Kingdom.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.6 square miles (63.6 km²), of which, 24.0 square miles (62.1 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (2.40%) is water.

The highest natural point in Boxford is Bald Hill, at an elevation of 243 feet (74 meters). It sits in a corner of the Boxford State Forest, near the town's border with Middleton.

Boxford is a geographically large town with almost no commercial development. The town is traditionally divided into Boxford Village (commonly called East Boxford) and West Boxford Village, corresponding to the respective East and West Boxford centers. The "centers" of town each consist of a Congregational church (First Congregational in Boxford and Second Congregational in West Boxford), a general store, a library, and a fire department.

The town is heavily forested, and criss-crossed by various brooks and streams. A number of ponds dot Boxford, among them Stiles Pond, Cedar Pond, Spofford Pond, Lowe Pond, Four Mile Pond and Baldpate Pond. Throughout town, there are also a number of scenic hiking trails.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,921 people, 2,568 households, and 2,254 families residing in the town. The population density was 330.4 people per square mile (127.6/km²). There were 2,610 housing units at an average density of 42.0 persons/km² (108.9 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 97.37% White, 0.34% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,568 households out of which 48.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 12.2% were non-families. 9.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the town the population was spread out with 32.2% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $113,212, and the median income for a family was $119,491. Males had a median income of $90,397 versus $48,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $48,846. 1.4% of the population and 0.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.8% are under the age of 18 and 3.1% are 65 or older

[edit] Education

Boxford has one high school, Masconomet Regional High School. It is commonly believed to be in Topsfield because it has a Topsfield Post Office box address. However, the school, which is located on Endicott Road, lies entirely within Boxford.

There are also two elementary schools in Boxford. The Harry Lee Cole School, which serves Preschool through Grade 2, is located near East Boxford center. The Spofford Pond School, serving Grades 3 through 6, is located in the town's geographic center.

[edit] Points of interest

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
  • Boxford State Forest, near Interstate 95 and the towns of Topsfield and Middleton, boasts numerous walking trails that weave through heavily forested areas.
  • Commercial landmarks in and around town include Benson's Ice Cream near West Boxford center, Paisley's Farm Stand, Ingaldsby Farm, the Boxford Community store in East Boxford (also known as "Jack's" or "Wayne's", after its former and current owners), West Village Provisions in West Boxford, and the Boxford House of Pizza.
  • The town also has a retirement home called Four Mile Village, which sits adjacent to picturesque Four Mile Pond.
  • Stiles Pond with adjacent Keith Koster Memorial Baseball Park, is the town "beach", Camp Rotary is also located on Stiles Pond, opposite the "beach"
  • Baldpate Pond is another popular swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking location.

[edit] Notable residents

  • Johnny Bucyk (1935- ) Boston Bruins - Hall of Fame - Former team captain
  • Raymond Bourque (1960- ) Boston Bruins - Hall of Fame - Former team captain

[edit] References


[edit] External links

v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Essex County, Massachusetts
Cities
Towns
CDPs
Villages