Manchester-by-the-Sea (also called just Manchester) is a town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5,228.

History

Manchester-by-the-Sea was first settled in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1645.

The community thrived as a fishing community until 1845, when Richard Dana, a Boston based poet, built his summer house in the community. Over the next fifty years, develepment of summer houses along the coast line established the community as Boston society's community of choice for summer residency.

The most famous of these "summer cottages" was Kragsyde (1883). Comissioned by G. Nixon Black, the Peabody and Stearns designed residence has been hailed as the zenith of the Shingle style substyle of the Queen Anne style of architecture.

Name

The town was founded as "Manchester". In the mid-1800s, there were enough other Manchesters in New England (especially Manchester, New Hampshire) that locals began following the lead of railroad conductors and referring to the town as "Manchester-by-the-Sea". The name of the town was officially changed in 1990* following a close town meeting vote and an act of the Legislature. All town documents (and the city seal) now use the name "Manchester-by-the-Sea", as have (thanks to some minor resident activism) the majority of public and private lists of Massachusetts cities and towns, including that of the state government.

• http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/boundary_changes/25_MA.html

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.3 km² (18.2 mi²). 24.1 km² (9.3 mi²) of it is land and 23.2 km² (9.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 49.10% water.

The community is served by Manchester Harbor.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,228 people, 2,168 households, and 1,435 families residing in the town. The population density is 217.3/km² (562.7/mi²). There are 2,327 housing units at an average density of 96.7/km² (250.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 2,168 households out of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% are married couples living together, 8.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% are non-families. 27.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the town the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $73,467, and the median income for a family is $93,609. Males have a median income of $68,466 versus $37,981 for females. The per capita income for the town is $47,910. 4.8% of the population and 3.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.9% of those under the age of 18 and 7.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea