Dukes County is a county located in the state of Massachusetts. Its official name is "the County of Dukes County." As of 2000, the population is 14,987. Its county seat is Edgartown⁶. The county consists of the island of Martha's Vineyard together with other small islands southeast of Cape Cod. (Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,272 km² (491 mi²). 269 km² (104 mi²) of it is land and 1,003 km² (387 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 78.86% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 14,987 people, 6,421 households, and 3,788 families residing in the county. The population density is 56/km² (144/mi²). There are 14,836 housing units at an average density of 55/km² (143/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 90.69% White, 2.40% Black or African American, 1.71% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 6,421 households out of which 28.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% are married couples living together, 9.80% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.00% are non-families. 32.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 2.91.

In the county the population is spread out with 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $45,559, and the median income for a family is $55,018. Males have a median income of $38,945 versus $30,346 for females. The per capita income for the county is $26,472. 7.30% of the population and 5.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.40% of those under the age of 18 and 5.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities, towns, and villages*

• Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head)
• Chilmark
• Edgartown
• Gosnold
• -- Cuttyhunk (a village of Gosnold)
• Oak Bluffs
• Tisbury
• -- Vineyard Haven (a village of Tisbury)
• West Tisbury

* Villages are census division, but have no separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.

External links

• County of Dukes County official site
• National Register of Historic Places listing for Dukes Co., Massachusetts