Braintree, Massachusetts
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Braintree, please see the article Braintree (CDP), Massachusetts.
Braintree, Massachusetts | |
|---|---|
 Location in Norfolk County in Massachusetts | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Norfolk County |
| Settled | 1634 |
| Incorporated | 1640 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Representative town meeting |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.5 sq mi (37.6 km2) |
| • Land | 13.9 sq mi (36.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 33,828 |
| • Density | 2,434.4/sq mi (939.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
| ZIP code | 02184 |
| Area code | 339 / 781 |
| Website | http://www.townofbraintreegov.org/ |
Braintree is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 33,828 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Inner Core of metropolitan Boston but is considered by some to be part of the South Shore.
History
Braintree was founded on land first colonized in 1625 by Captain Wollaston, and initially named Mount Wollaston. Under the rule of Thomas Morton it was renamed Merry Mount. The area was resettled and incorporated as the town of Braintree, named after the English town of Braintree in 1640, on land which is now part of the current town of Braintree, from which Randolph, Holbrook, the City of Quincy, and part of Milton were split off.
Braintree is the birthplace to Presidents John Adams, and John Quincy Adams, as well as statesman John Hancock and General Sylvanus Thayer, the "Father of West Point".
Braintree is also the site of the infamous Sacco and Vanzetti murders as well as the retirement home of the co-inventor of the telephone Thomas A. Watson (See Watson Park).
In January 2008 Braintree will convert from a representative town meeting form of government to a mayor-council government, thus changing it from a "town" to a "city" under Massachusetts state law.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.6 km² (14.5 mi²). 36.0 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²/4.34%) of it is water.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 33,828 people, 12,652 households, and 8,907 families residing in the town. The population density was 939.6/km² (2,434.4/mi²). There were 12,973 housing units at an average density of 360.4/km² (933.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.96% White, 1.18% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.
There were 12,652 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $61,790, and the median income for a family was $73,417. Males had a median income of $49,607 versus $36,034 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,683. About 2.1% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Braintree is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Major Highways
Principal highways are State Routes 3, 37 and 53.
Rail
Commuter rail service to South Station, Boston, is available on the Middleboro & Plymouth lines from the Rail Station located on Union Street. Future rail service on the Greenbush line is scheduled to start up in late 2007. The MBTA Red Line is also accessible at the same location.
Bus
Braintree is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which provides fixed route service to Quincy Adams, Quincy Center and Ashmont Stations. The MBTA also provides THE RIDE, a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled.
Airport
The Norwood Memorial Airport, a Reliever (RL) facility, is easily accessible. It has 2 asphalt runways 4,001'x 150' and 4,007'x 150'. Instrument approaches available: Non-precision. However the majority of Randolph residents use Logan International Airport for Air transportation.
Education
There are three high schools in Braintree: Braintree High School, a public school; Thayer Academy, a private school; and Archbishop Williams, a Roman Catholic private school.
Points of interest
Notable residents
- Jim Calhoun, UConn basketball coach
- Tiffany Kelly, Miss Massachusetts USA 2006
- William Rosenberg, creator of Dunkin' Donuts
- Mark Wahlberg, formerly of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, now an actor
- Rick Devin, musician and recording artist
- Chris Doherty, musician and recording artist
