Andover is a town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 31,247.

For additional geographic and demographic information on the central settlement within Andover, which is a census-designated place, see the article Andover (CDP), Massachusetts. It provides details for the village that are included in the aggregate numbers reported here.

History

Andover was first settled in 1642 and was officially incorporated in 1646.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 83.2 km² (32.1 mi²). 80.3 km² (31.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.9 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.49% water. Significant water areas include the Shawsheen River and Haggetts Pond, located in west Andover, which serves as the town's reservoir. Haggetts Pond was originally set apart from other waters, but since the late 90s has had waters added from the nearby Merrimack River to supplement the growing needs of the town.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 31,247 people, 11,305 households, and 8,490 families residing in the town. The population density is 389.1/km² (1,007.8/mi²). There are 11,590 housing units at an average density of 144.3 persons/km² (373.8 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 91.60% White, 0.75% African American, 0.06% Native American, 5.73% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,305 households out of which 40.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% are married couples living together, 7.5% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 24.9% are non-families. 21.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% 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 3.24.

In the town the population is spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $87,683, and the median income for a family is $104,820. Males have a median income of $78,291 versus $44,292 for females. The per capita income for the town is $41,133. 3.9% of the population and 2.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 3.7% are under the age of 18 and 6.8% are 65 or older.

Notable Features

Andover is perhaps most famous for being the location of Phillips Academy, a notable prep school founded in 1778 with many famous alumni. Andover is also home to a large IRS service center, accepting tax forms from several neighboring states. Another feature of Andover that leads to it being an important location for businesses is its proximity to several major roads in Massachusetts: I-93, I-95, and I-495, among others.

Andover's Famous People

• Humphrey Bogart, Entertainer
• George H. W. Bush, Politician
• George W. Bush, Politician
• Michael Chiklis, Entertainer
• William Dunn Jr. , Realtor
• William Dunn III , Student
• Oliver Wendell Holmes, Poet
• Brian Kelley , businessman
• John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr., Publisher
• Jack Lemmon, Entertainer
• Jay Leno, Entertainer
• Paul Monette, Writer
• Frank Stella, Artist

External links

• Town of Andover
• Memorial Hall Library
• Addison Gallery of American Art
• Phillips Academy Andover