Duxbury, Massachusetts
Duxbury is a coastal town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Although not located in the same county as Boston, Duxbury is considered to be a Boston suburb, located approximately 35 miles to the south of that city. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 14,248.
For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Duxbury, please see the articles on Cedar Crest, Duxbury (CDP), and South Duxbury.
History
Duxbury was first settled in 1624 by Myles Standish who named the town after Duxbury Woods in his home town of Chorley, Great Britain. Several of the surviving "Pilgrims" settled in Duxbury, including George Soule. The town was officially incorporated in 1637.
The Myles Standish Burying Ground in Duxbury is claimed to be the oldest maintained cemetery in the United States.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 97.4 km² (37.6 mi²). 61.5 km² (23.8 mi²) of it is land and 35.9 km² (13.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 36.87% water.
Duxbury is the sixth largest cranberry producer in Massachusetts. It also has come in recent years to be known for its oyster beds, as well as other shellfish.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,248 people, 4,946 households, and 3,941 families residing in the town. The population density was 231.6/km² (599.8/mi²). There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of 86.9/km² (225.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.80% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,946 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% 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 3.26.
In the town the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $97,124, and the median income for a family was $106,245. Males had a median income of $77,228 versus $41,730 for females. The per capita income for the town was $40,242. 2.3% of the population and 1.2% of families were below the poverty line. 3.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Famous residents
- The indie rock singer Juliana Hatfield (b. 1967) grew up in Duxbury, and attended Duxbury High School.
- Former NBA center Bill Curley starred at Duxbury High School and later at Boston College before being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.
- Joe Perry, guitarist for Aerosmith, was Duxbury's most famous resident for many years.
- Pat Leahy, an NHL hockey player currently playing for the Boston Bruins, was born in Duxbury in 1979.
