Blackstone, Massachusetts
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| Blackstone, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Worcester |
| Settled | 1662 |
| Incorporated | 1845 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| - Town Administrator | Kenneth Bianchi |
| - Board of Selectmen |
Constance D. Perreault, Chairperson Margaret Bik, Vice-Chairperson Robert J. Dubois Robert J. Kluchevitz Joseph Marchand |
| Area | |
| - Total | 11.2 sq mi (29.1 km²) |
| - Land | 10.9 sq mi (28.2 km²) |
| - Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Elevation | 186 ft (57 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 8,804 |
| - Density | 807.4/sq mi (311.7/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 01504 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| FIPS code | 25-06015 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619477 |
| Website: www.townofblackstone.org | |
Blackstone is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 8,804 at the 2000 census. It is formally a part of the Providence metropolitan area.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
Blackstone was first settled in 1662 and was officially incorporated in 1845. It was named after William Blackstone, the first settler in Boston and Rhode Island.[citation needed] Initially, the town was part of Mendon, Massachusetts before becoming a separate municipality. Prior to 1915, Blackstone contained the area to the west that would break away and become Millville, Massachusetts. Blackstone is within the area of the John H. Chaffee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29.1 km²), of which, 10.9 square miles (28.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (2.94%) is water. The Blackstone River, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, meanders west to south east, on the south border of town.
The town is bordered by North Smithfield, RI and Woonsocket, RI to the south; Millville, Massachusetts to the west; Mendon, Massachusetts to the north, and Bellingham, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) to the east.
Named places in the town include:[2]
- Blackstone Village
- Central Village
- East Blackstone
- Farnum's Gate
- Five Corners
- High Rocks
- Millerville
- New City
- Privilege
- Rural District
- Waterford
- Wheelockville
- Woonsocket Junction (New York and New England Railroad junction)
An East Blackstone railroad station was formerly located in Bellingham.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 8,804 people, 3,235 households, and 2,355 families residing in the town. The population density was 807.4 people per square mile (311.9/km²). There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 305.5/sq mi (118.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.39% White, 0.33% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 3,235 households out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,163, and the median income for a family was $61,633. Males had a median income of $42,100 versus $27,448 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,936. About 1.8% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Adjacent City and Towns
- Woonsocket, Rhode Island
- Millville, Massachusetts
- North Smithfield, Rhode Island
- Mendon, Massachusetts
- Bellingham, Massachusetts
[edit] Government
| County government: Worcester County | |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts: | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| District Attorney: | Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D) |
| Registrar of Deeds: | Anthony J. Vigliotti (D) |
| Registrar of Probate: | Stephen Abraham (D) |
| County Sheriff: | Guy W. Glodis (D) |
| State government | |
| State Representative(s): | Jennifer M. Callahan (D) |
| State Senator(s): | Richard T. Moore (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Thomas J. Foley (D) |
| Federal government | |
| U.S. Representative(s): | Richard E. Neal (D-2nd District), |
| U.S. Senators: | Ted Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D) |
[edit] References
- ^ Update of Statistical area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses 52,108,150. whitehouse.gov. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ CIS: Unincorporated and Unofficial Names of Massachusetts Communities
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
