Sharon, Massachusetts
From Free net encyclopedia
Sharon is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 17,408. For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Sharon, please see the article Sharon (CDP), Massachusetts.
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History
Sharon was first settled in 1650 and was officially incorporated in 1775.
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.
The Unitarian Church in Sharon Center has a church bell manufactured by Paul Revere.
There are 7 Jewish Houses of Worship and 6 Christian churches. In addition, there is a National Islamic Center (Sharon Mosque). Together, this adds up to 14 religious centers for the town of 17,000.
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 is water. The total area is 3.56% 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. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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. 3.0% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the poverty line. 3.2% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
See also
Neighboring towns:
- Canton, Massachusetts
- Norwood, Massachusetts
- Walpole, Massachusetts
- Foxboro, Massachusetts
- Stoughton, Massachusetts
- Easton, Massachusetts
External links
- Town of Sharon
- Sharon Community Calendar
- SCTV
- Sharon Dog Park
- Sharon Friends Of Conservation
- Sharon Garden Club
- Sharon Historical Society
- SharonUpdate - News from the Source
- Helpful Sharon Telephone Numbers
