East Bridgewater, Massachusetts
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East Bridgewater is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 12,974.
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History
East Bridgewater was first settled in 1630 as an outgrowth of the Plymouth and Duxbury plantation. It was officially incorporated on June 14th, 1823. The town was located on the northern portion of the Taunton River system, and had an economy primarily based on agriculture, though industrial development followed. There was more residential development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries along the community's trolley lines. The famous bank robber Jack Turner is said to have had a house in East Bridgewater during the mid 1800's, but proof has never surfaced.
Geography
Image:East Bridgewater ma highlight.png According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.3 km² (17.5 mi²). 44.7 km² (17.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.49% water. East Bridgewater is uninteresting geographically, but it does feature New England's famous ever changing weather. Some climatic variation can be seen across the town, with some neighborhoods being warmer and drier. In the winter of 2004-2005, East Bridgewater experienced very heavy snows like the rest of the area. The 2005-2006 winter was unusually warm and snowless, but an unusually late snow came on April 6, 2006.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,974 people, 4,344 households, and 3,392 families residing in the town. The population density was 290.6/km² (752.6/mi²). There were 4,427 housing units at an average density of 99.1/km² (256.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.91% White, 0.99% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,344 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,311, and the median income for a family was $67,307. Males had a median income of $47,370 versus $30,602 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,532. 4.1% of the population and 2.4% of families were below the poverty line. 5.0% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. An average house in East Bridgewater has 6.2 rooms and is 36 years old with a value of $172,200. 82% of the population owns its residence, 18% rents. 1% of housing space is vacant.
Elmwood is a neighborhood in East Bridgewater with its own post office (the oldest continually operating post office in the country) and zip code, but which shares schools with and also is geographically a part of East Bridgewater.
People
East Bridgewater is the birthplace of actor Tom Everett Scott, featured in That Thing You Do, An American Werewolf in Paris, and Boiler Room.
Additionally, East Bridgewater found itself in the news due to the wrongful death of Victoria Snelgrove during festivities after a Red Sox game.
Education
Central (Elementary) School serves 799 preschoolers, kindergartners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. Gordon W. Mitchell Middle School serves 989 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. East Bridgewater High School serves 657 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. 74% of the school's students were proficent in reading and 61% were proficent in math. 97% of students are White, 2% are African American, and 1% are Hispanic. 3% of the school's students are economically disadvantaged. The school district serves a total of 2,468 students. The district receives about $15.8 million in funding, and spends $16.8 million. The district spends $6,997 per student per year. Students seeking vocational high school education, can attend Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School.
Arts and Entertainment
There is a 6 screen movie theater. High school drama productions are available occasionally. The band Dale and the Duds has a concert on the town common every year. Along with many other activities that happen on the common. The East Bridgewater Music Program is exceptionally good, winning many awards each year.
Economy
Generally speaking, East Bridgewater is a bedroom community. MBTA Commuter Rail stations just outside town borders in Hanson and Bridgewater are popular with residents.
Health and Medicine
Several dentists and physicians practice in town. Brockton Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and South Shore Hospital, in nearby Brockton and Weymouth, serve town residents.
Media
The East Bridgewater Express, East Bridgewater Star and The Town Observer are the local newspapers. The town is also covered by the Brockton Enterprise of neighboring Brockton. There is also a local community cable channel. East Bridgewater Community Television broadcasts Selectmen's meetings on Monday Evenings at 7:30PM, and the School Committee Meetings (every other Thursday). Many other locally produced programs are aired on EBCTV. [1]
Transportation
The main arteries through town are Washington Street, Central Street, Bedford Street, and Plymouth Street. MBTA lines as mentioned above skirt both borders.