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Sharon, Massachusetts

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Template:Infobox Town MA

Sharon is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 17,408 at the 2000 census. For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Sharon, please see the article Sharon (CDP), Massachusetts.

History

Sharon was first settled by the British in 1637, was established as the 2nd Precinct of Stoughton in 1740, was incorporated as the Town of Stoughtonham in 1765 and named Sharon in 1783. During the American Revolution the townspeople of Sharon made cannonballs for the Continental Army.

In front of the Sharon Public Library stands a statue of Deborah Sampson, Sharon's town heroine. Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. Deborah Sampson married Benjamin Gannett, a farmer, after she fought in the war and lived in Sharon until the end of her life.

The Unitarian Church in Sharon Center has a church bell manufactured by Paul Revere.


Sharon is home to the 'Sharon High Eagles' who participate in the Hockomock league. The most sucsessful of the eagles team is without a doubt the football team. The football Team has won 11 Hockomock league championships as well as 3 D2 superbowl championships including a 42-0 stomping of league rival North Attleboro in 1986.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 62.6 km² (24.2 mi²). 60.4 km² (23.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (3.56%) is water. This includes Lake Massapoag, which is one of the town's most prominent features. Massapoag is a popular recreational site for swimming and boating. These characteristics were largely responsible for the town's early development as a summer resort location.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,408 people, 5,934 households, and 4,931 families residing in the town. The population density was 288.3/km² (747.0/mi²). There were 6,026 housing units at an average density of 99.8/km² (258.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.95% White, 3.39% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 4.86% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 5,934 households out of which 45.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $89,256, and the median income for a family was $99,015. Males had a median income of $70,563 versus $46,774 for females. The per capita income for the town was $41,323. About 2.1% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Houses of Worship

Sharon is home to 18 houses of worship, including 9 Christian churches, 7 Jewish synagogues, 1 Islamic mosque and 1 Jehovah's Witness center. These include:

Christian

First Congregational Church (Protestant)

Unitarian Church of Sharon (Unitarian)

Evangelical Baptist Church (Baptist)

Our Lady of Sorrows (Roman Catholic)

St. John's Episcopal Church (Episcopalian)

Victory Assembly of God (Pentecostal)

First Church of Christ Science (Christian Scientist)

First Baptist Church

New Life Christian Center

Jehovah's Witness

Sharon Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

Muslim

Islamic Center of New England

Jewish

Temple Adath Sharon (Conservative)

Temple Sinai of Sharon (Reform)

Temple Israel of Sharon (Conservative)

Young Israel of Sharon (Orthodox)

Chabad Torah Center (Orthodox)

Congregation Etz Chaim of Sharon (Orthodox)

Congregation Klal Yisrael (Non Movement Affiliated)

See also

Sharon (CDP), Massachusetts

Neighboring towns:

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