Bolton, Massachusetts
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Bolton is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,148.
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History
Bolton was first settled in 1682 and was officially incorporated in 1738.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.8 km² (20.0 mi²). 51.6 km² (19.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.35% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 4,148 people, 1,424 households, and 1,201 families residing in the town. The population density is 80.4/km² (208.1/mi²). There are 1,476 housing units at an average density of 28.6/km² (74.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.76% White, 0.19% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,424 households out of which 44.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.0% are married couples living together, 5.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.6% are non-families. 11.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.91 and the average family size is 3.18.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $102,798, and the median income for a family is $108,967. Males have a median income of $79,167 versus $50,278 for females. The per capita income for the town is $42,542. 1.8% of the population and 1.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.5% of those under the age of 18 and 3.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Taxes in Bolton have increased since the 1980s in a disproportional fashion as compared to surrounding areas. This is largely due to the increased School budget, a lack of a commercial tax base, and yuppies. Many children who grew up in Bolton find it impossible to live there as adults due to these conditions as well as inflated housing costs. Despite the high taxes and housing costs, residents get very few services in return - Bolton offers no town water or sewer, and the current school was underbuilt for student capacity only 2 years after completion. Bolton also has a strange resistance to commercial businesses - one recent example was the town's resistance to a Dunkin Donuts across from the high school - the town officials felt the eye-sore known as "Classic Pizza III" was a far better choice.
External links
- Bolton official website (http://www.townofbolton.com/)