Brockton, Massachusetts
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Brockton is a city located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 94,304. The city and Plymouth are the county seats of Plymouth CountyTemplate:GR. Brockton is the 6th largest city in Massachusetts and claims to be the "City of Champions", mainly due to the success of native boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler.
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History
In 1649, Indians sold the land to settlers. Brockton was part of Bridgewater until 1821. It was incorporated in 1881. During the American Civil War, Brockton was America's largest producer of shoes, and until the latter parts of the 20th century Brockton had a large shoe and leather products industry.
Sacco and Vanzetti were arrested in Brockton in 1920.
Recent Trends
Brockton is currently in the midst a major resurgence. It is rapidly becoming a top place to live. Situated right in the middle of Boston, Cape Cod, and Providence, and only a few hours drive from New York City, Brockton has a great natural balance as a city with close community and a city closely connected to civilization. With the current prevalence of broadband internet access, Brockton is now as connected as anyplace else. It has tens of millions of dollars in new construction projects. Recently, the Westgate Mall has been completely transformed and a new $35 million dollar courthouse opened. A very fan-friendly and successful minor league baseball team, the Brockton Rox, began playing in a new $15 million stadium and conference center.
The Public Library System, which has three branches, finished millions of dollars in renovation and expansion of its central branch. Brockton's small but convenient downtown is rapidly improving, and the new MBTA commuter rail link to Boston has made it more convenient to travel to the state's capital. Money Magazine recently ranked Brockton as the #2 American City in which to live.
Historical Firsts
Brockton has claim to three "Firsts" in the world, and two in the country. On October 1, 1883, Brockton became the first place in the world to have a three wire underground electrical system when Thomas Edison threw a switch to activate it. For the other two firsts for electricity, Brockton was home to the first theater in world to be tied into the three wire electrical system. The City Theater opened on October 24, 1894. On December 30, 1884, the first electrically operated fire station in the United States opened in Brockton.
In adition, the department store Santa Claus, now a main-stay of the Christmas season everywhere, appeared in Brockton in December 1890, when James Edgar, of Edgar's Department Store, suited up for the first time.
Also of some note, Brockton became the first city in the country to abolish grade crossings in 1896.
Government
Brockton has a substantial city government led by a mayor and city council. The city elects a mayor for two year terms. The city council consists of 7 Councilors at Large and 7 Councilors, one for every ward in the city.
Politically, the city is divided into 7 wards and 28 precincts (4 precincts per ward, i.e. Ward 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D).
A school committee is also elected by the citizens with one member per ward.
Geography
Brockton is located at 42°4'57" North, 71°1'18" West (42.082500, -71.021788)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.9 km² (21.6 mi²). 55.6 km² (21.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.56% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 94,304 people, 33,675 households, and 22,764 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,695.9/km² (4,392.8/mi²). There are 34,837 housing units at an average density of 626.5/km² (1,622.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 61.49% White, 17.83% African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 10.32% from other races, and 7.78% from two or more races. 8.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 33,675 households out of which 35.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% are married couples living together, 19.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average family size is 3.35.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,507, and the median income for a family is $46,235. Males have a median income of $34,255 versus $26,886 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,163. 14.5% of the population and 12.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.4% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Population trends:
- 1900 - 40,063
- 1890 - 27,273
- 1900 - 40,063
- 1910 - 56,878
- 1920 - 66,254
- 1930 - 63,797
- 1940 - 62,343
- 1950 - 62,860
- 1960 - 62,628
- 1970 - 72,813
- 1980 - 95,172
- 1990 - 92,788
- 2000 - 94,304
- 2002 - 95,437 (estimate)
Transportation
Brockton is located along MA 24, a highway-grade roadway which connects the city to I-93 to the north, and I-495 and I-195 to the south.
The MBTA operates a commuter rail line to Brockton, with one of the stations located in the downtown district. BAT (Brockton Area Transit Authority) operates bus lines throughout the city as well as an intermodal transportation facility in downtown Brockton.
External links
- Official Brockton, MA Web Page (http://www.ci.brockton.ma.us/)
- Campaign Website of the City's Popular Mayor, Jack Yunits (http://www.jackyunits.org/)
- Official Website of Brockton Area Transit Authority (http://www.ridebat.com/)