Wareham, Massachusetts
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Wareham is a town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 20,335.
For geographic and demographic information about specific parts of the town of Wareham, please see the articles about Onset, Wareham Center, West Wareham, and Weweantic.
History
Wareham was first settled in 1678 and was officially incorporated in 1739.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 119.9 km² (46.3 mi²). 92.7 km² (35.8 mi²) of it is land and 27.1 km² (10.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 22.64% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 20,335 people, 8,200 households, and 5,338 families residing in the town. The population density is 219.3/km² (568.1/mi²). There are 10,670 housing units at an average density of 115.1/km² (298.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 87.42% White, 2.92% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.20% from other races, and 3.43% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,200 households out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% are married couples living together, 14.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% are non-families. 29.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,422, and the median income for a family is $45,750. Males have a median income of $37,601 versus $28,306 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,312. 10.7% of the population and 8.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.6% of those under the age of 18 and 13.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.