Billerica, Massachusetts
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Billerica is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 38,981.
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History
Billerica was settled in about 1652 by families moving inland from Cambridge and Charlestown Village (later Woburn). The new town was incorporated in 1655, on the same day as nearby Chelmsford and Groton. The oldest remaining homestead in the town is the Manning Manse, built in 1696, and later the residence of William Manning (1747–1814), the author of "The Key of Libberty," a critique of Federalist policies. Other notable Revolutionary Era residents included Asa Pollard (1735–1776), the first soldier killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Thomas Ditson (born 1741), who was tarred and feathered by the British in 1775 while on a visit to Boston. The song "Yankee Doodle" was allegedly written to honor him. The town now celebrates "Yankee Doodle Day" every September.
The oldest canal in the United States, the Middlesex Canal, which flowed through Billerica between 1795 and 1852, was used to transport goods between Lowell and Boston. Billerica also has a Native American burial site dating back to 1000 B.C.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 68.3 km² (26.4 mi²). 67.1 km² (25.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.90% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 38,981 people, 12,919 households, and 10,244 families residing in the town. The population density is 581.3/km² (1,505.9/mi²). There are 13,071 housing units at an average density of 194.9/km² (504.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.68% Caucasian, 1.11% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.76% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,919 households out of which 37.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% are non-families. 16.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.92 and the average family size is 3.30.
In the town the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 102.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $67,799, and the median income for a family is $72,102. Males have a median income of $47,014 versus $33,862 for females. The per capita income for the town is $24,953. 3.8% of the population and 2.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Billerica official website (http://www.town.billerica.ma.us/)fr:Billerica (Massachusetts)