North Andover, Massachusetts

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North Andover, Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Location in Essex County in Massachusetts
Coordinates: 42°41′55″N 71°08′08″W / 42.69861, -71.13556
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Essex
Settled 1644
Incorporated 1855
Government
 - Type Open town meeting
Area
 - Total 27.8 sq mi (72.1 km²)
 - Land 26.7 sq mi (69.0 km²)
 - Water 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Elevation 75 ft (23 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 27,202
 - Density 1,020.7/sq mi (394.1/km²)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 01845
Area code(s) 351 / 978
FIPS code 25-46365
GNIS feature ID 0618306
Website: http://www.townofnorthandover.com/

North Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 27,202 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] History

There is evidence that North Andover has been inhabited for more than 8,000 years. The Weir Hill area was likely an encampment and home for Native Americans due to the abundant natural resources associated with Lake Cochichewick and the Merrimack Valley. The name Weir Hill comes from the anadromous fish run that historically ran up Cochichewick Brook into the lake.[1]

North Andover was first settled in 1646 and was officially incorporated in 1855.

Due to its location near the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, North Andover was at one time of minor importance as a mill community with some cotton mills of its own.

During the Salem Witch Trials more people from North Andover were accused of witchcraft than from Danvers, Massachusetts itself (which was the location of the Salem Witch Trials.)

North Andover originally was the political and religious center of a larger 17th century settlement which today would include Andover, North Andover, and the eastern part of Lawrence. First called Cochiechewick Plantation for the tall trees and rivers, the area was reserved by the General Court in 1634 for an inland plantation; the first settlement was established in 1643 by residents of the coastal towns of Ipswich and Newbury. Although there were boundary changes throughout the 18th century, it was not until 1855 that Andover split into two separate towns, Andover and North Andover. North Andover includes the Old Center which was the North Parish. A subtle rivalry between the two towns still exists today

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.8 square miles (72.1 km²), of which, 26.6 square miles (69.0 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (4.27%) is water.

North Andover borders the following towns: Andover, Lawrence, Haverhill, Boxford, Middleton, and North Reading. North Andover is separated from Methuen by the Merrimack River.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 27,202 people, 9,724 households, and 6,904 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,020.7 people per square mile (394.1/km²). There were 9,943 housing units at an average density of 373.1/sq mi (144.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.67% White, 0.72% African American, 0.05% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 9,724 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $72,728, and the median income for a family was $91,105. Males had a median income of $66,793 versus $38,495 for females. The per capita income for the town was $34,335. 2.9% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the poverty line. 2.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public Schools

[edit] Private Schools

[edit] Points of interest

[edit] References

  1. ^ No Author: "Weir Hill Management Plan", page 2-2., 2006.
  2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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