Norfolk, Massachusetts
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| Norfolk, Massachusetts | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Norfolk |
| Settled | 1795 |
| Incorporated | 1870 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Open town meeting |
| Area | |
| - Total | 15.2 sq mi (39.3 km²) |
| - Land | 14.8 sq mi (38.4 km²) |
| - Water | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Elevation | 212 ft (65 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 10,460 |
| - Density | 705.1/sq mi (272.2/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 02056 |
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 |
| FIPS code | 25-46050 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618326 |
| Website: http://www.town.norfolk.ma.us/ | |
Norfolk is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,460 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] History
Norfolk was first settled in 1793 and was officially incorporated in 1870. It started out as land owned by King Philip; hence the names of the middle and high schools. The town was settled in 1793 but did not gain momentum until a minister, Rev. David Avery, was kicked out of neighboring Wrentham. He and his followers flocked to Norfolk, where others soon followed.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.2 square miles (39.3 km²), of which, 14.8 square miles (38.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it (2.30%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 10,460 people, 2,818 households, and 2,412 families residing in the town. The population density was 705.1 people per square mile (272.1/km²). There were 2,861 housing units at an average density of 192.9/sq mi (74.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 88.97% White, 4.90% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.43% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.88% of the population.
There were 2,818 households out of which 50.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.1% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.4% were non-families. 10.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.36.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 142.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 157.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $86,153, and the median income for a family was $92,001. Males had a median income of $60,926 versus $40,825 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,454. About 0.8% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.2% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
As of 2006, there are three public schools located within the town. They are the H. Olive Day Elementary School, the Freeman-Centennial Elementary School, and King Philip Regional Middle School. Students go on to attend King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, MA or, specialty high schools such as Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, MA and Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA. A new public library building recently opened on town hill. Library web page: http://library.virtualnorfolk.org/public_documents/index . Town web cam: http://www.norfolknet.com/norfolk/libcam.html
[edit] Transportation
The Norfolk Airpark (FAA airport code 32M) has one 2700 foot north-south runway and is about 2 miles west of the town center. It was closed in recent years, however, and is in disrepair. Plans for new developments have been proposed, specifically residential projects. As of the present, there is debate within the town regarding the fate of the old airport as it would be a source of unnecessary noise.
The Norfolk MBTA commuter rail station is in Zone 5 and is located at 9 Rockwood Rd. Norfolk, MA.[2]
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[edit] Media
The Norfolk Boomerang is Norfolk's weekly newspaper that was established in 2005. It is independently owned and operated. It is published on Fridays and is for sale in stores and by subscription. It is the only media source that focuses on Norfolk and Norfolk only. The newspaper's website is http://www.norfolkboomerang.com. The town is also served by a small radio station, WDIS AM 1170, started in 1978.
[edit] References
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ MBTA > Schedules & Maps > Commuter Rail > Norfolk
[edit] External links
- Norfolk municipal home page
- King Philip Regional School District home page
- Norfolk Community page
- The Norfolk Boomerang's Website - Norfolk's Community Newspaper
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