Saugus is a town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 26,078.

History

Saugus was first settled in 1629 and was officially incorporated in 1815. The Saugus Iron Works, in operation from 1646-1668, was the first integrated iron works in North America. It is now a National Historic Site.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 30.4 km² (11.8 mi²). 28.5 km² (11.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.55% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 26,078 people, 9,975 households, and 7,142 families residing in the town. The population density is 916.2/km² (2,373.7/mi²). There are 10,122 housing units at an average density of 355.6/km² (921.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.32% White, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 9,975 households out of which 27.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% are married couples living together, 10.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% are non-families. 24.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.59 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the town the population is spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $55,301, and the median income for a family is $65,782. Males have a median income of $43,219 versus $32,783 for females. The per capita income for the town is $25,524. 4.2% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Organizations

There is an abundance of local organizations based within Saugus.

The Saugus Historical Society works to cultivate an interest in the history of the town of Saugus, and to collect and preserve all matter pertaining to the town's history and citizenry. The organization was begun in 1928.

The Saugus Chamber of Commerce started in 1971 under the name of the Route One Businessmen's Association. It changed its name in 1988 to the Route One Area Business Association; it became the Saugus Chamber of Commerce in 1991. The Saugus Business Partnership is sometimes confused with the Chamber, but is a distinct organization formed in 2003.

The Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) incorporated in 1973 and works toward a "better quality of life through environmental concern and action". It serves at once both as a volunteer organization (performing many duties including helping maintain the local tree farm) and a political organization (staging protests and taking public stands on local laws).

Saugus.net was founded in 1998 and exists independently of (but cooperatively with) the town government and other local organizations.

The Theatre Company of Saugus, founded in 1968 as the "Town-Criers," produces several amateur plays each year. The TCS recently had the honor of performing the play Interview by Jean-Claude Van Itallie in Belgium.

Other local organizations worthy of mention include the Friends of Saugus Town Hall, the Friends of Breakheart Reservation, the Saugus High School Alumni Association, Boy Scout Troop 61, the Essex UFOlogists, and the Hammersmith Quilters' Guild.

External links

• Saugus Town Government
• Saugus.net: Assorted Saugus Information
• Town of Saugus, MA. Essex County
• Non-profit groups in Saugus
• Saugus Community Calendar
• The Saugus Historical Society
• The Saugus Business Partnership
• Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
• Theatre Company of Saugus

External links