Stoughton, Massachusetts
From Free net encyclopedia
Stoughton (Official Name: Town of Stoughton) is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 27,149.
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History
Stoughton was first settled in 1713 and was officially incorporated in 1726. It was named after William Stoughton, who was the first Chief Justice of Colonial Courts.
The Suffolk Resolves was written here, in Old Stoughton (current day Milton) at Doty's Tavern, which was the basis for the Declaration of Independence. This meeting included Samuel Dunbar and Paul Revere. The site was chosen by Samuel Adams and Dr. Joseph Warren.
This full history of Stoughton can be seen here.
Geography
Image:Stoughton ma highlight.png According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.1 km² (16.3 mi²). 41.5 km² (16.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.41% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 27,149 people, 10,254 households, and 7,270 families residing in the town. The population density was 653.5/km² (1,692.6/mi²). There were 10,488 housing units at an average density of 252.5/km² (653.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.46% White, 5.70% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. 1.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,254 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $57,838, and the median income for a family was $69,942. Males had a median income of $44,853 versus $31,971 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,480. 4.6% of the population and 3.1% of families were below the poverty line. 4.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Stoughton Culture
Stoughton is a lively small town, with a large population of immigrants - many people from Portugal. Stoughton is the end of a commuter train line.
There is one public high school in Stoughton, and several Catholic private schools in nearby towns. The favorite pizza place of local high school students and the unofficial gathering place in town is Town Spa Pizza. Stoughton High School has an award-winning music program, and a healthy selection of sports teams.
The oldest choral society in the United States is located in Stoughton. Founded in 1786 as The Stoughton Musical Society, it is now known as the Old Stoughton Musical Society.
Every year, there are fireworks at the high school for the 4th of July.
It is possible to go biking in Stoughton, with Ames Pond being a nice destination. On Thanksgiving 2005 The Stoughton Black Knights beat their rivals, the Canton Bulldogs, 47-7.
Surrounding towns: Canton, Avon, Randolph, Sharon, Easton, Brockton
External links
- Town of Stoughton
- Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
- Stoughton Massachusetts History & Genealogy Website
- Stoughton Historical Society
- Music from Stoughton
- Old Stoughton Musical Society
