Stoughton, Massachusetts
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Stoughton (Official Name: Town of Stoughton) is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 27,149.
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History
Stoughton was first settled in 1713 and was officially incorporated in 1726.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.1 km² (16.3 mi²). 41.5 km² (16.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.6 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.41% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 27,149 people, 10,254 households, and 7,270 families residing in the town. The population density is 653.5/km² (1,692.6/mi²). There are 10,488 housing units at an average density of 252.5/km² (653.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 88.46% White, 5.70% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. 1.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 10,254 households out of which 30.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% are married couples living together, 11.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% are non-families. 24.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.13.
In the town the population is spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $57,838, and the median income for a family is $69,942. Males have a median income of $44,853 versus $31,971 for females. The per capita income for the town is $25,480. 4.6% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Stoughton Culture
Stoughton is a lively small town, with a large population of immigrants - many people from Portugal. Stoughton is the end of a commuter train line.
There is one public high school in Stoughton, and several Catholic private schools. The favorite pizza place of local high school students is Town Spa. The high school has an award-winning music program, and a healthy selection of sports teams.
The oldest choral society in the United States is located in Stoughton. Founded in 1786 as The Stoughton Musical Society, it is now known as the Old Stoughton Musical Society.
Every year, there are fireworks at the high school for the 4th of July, though sometimes the fireworks land in the crowd.
It is possible to go biking in Stoughton, with Ames Pond being a nice destination.
Surrounding towns: Canton, Avon, Randolph, Sharon, Easton, Brockton
External links
- Town of Stoughton (http://www.stoughton.org/)
- Stoughton Chamber of Commerce (http://www.stoughtonma.com/)
- Stoughton Massachusetts History & Genealogy Website (http://www.StoughtonHistory.com/)
- Stoughton Historical Society (http://home.comcast.net/~dalresearch/stoug.htm/)
- Music from Stoughton (http://hometown.aol.com/musbuff/page29.htm)
- Old Stoughton Musical Society (http://hometown.aol.com/musbuff/page16.htm)