Dukes County | |
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County of Dukes County | |
![]() County Administration Building at the Martha's Vineyard Airport | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts | |
![]() Massachusetts's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 41°24′53″N70°36′46″W / 41.414841°N 70.612679°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1695 |
Named for | James, Duke of York |
Seat | Edgartown |
Largest town | Oak Bluffs |
Area | |
• Total | 491 sq mi (1,270 km2) |
• Land | 103 sq mi (270 km2) |
• Water | 388 sq mi (1,000 km2) 79% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 20,600 |
• Density | 199.6/sq mi (77.1/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 9th |
Website | www |
Dukes County is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 20,600, [1] making it the second-least populous county in Massachusetts. Its county seat is Edgartown. [2]
Dukes County comprises the Vineyard Haven, MA Micropolitan Statistical Area . The county consists of 32 named islands, [3] the largest of which is Martha's Vineyard. It also includes Chappaquiddick Island (sometimes peninsula of the Vineyard), the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, and Nomans Land.
The original inhabitants of the islands were Wampanoag, who had several villages. Political jurisdiction over the lands were granted by the English monarchy in overlapping claims to two different British nobles, from which Massachusetts Bay Company settler Thomas Mayhew purchased them in 1641. Mayhew established a colony in his new domain, carefully purchasing land ownership rights from the native inhabitants, and maintaining native governments to continue unimpeded. In 1665, Mayhew's lands were included in a grant to James, Duke of York (later King James II). In 1671, a settlement was arranged, allowing Mayhew to continue to rule while placing his territory under the jurisdiction of the Province of New York.
Dukes County was thus established as Dukes County, New York, on November 1, 1683, and included all of Mayhew's lands – Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands. The county was transferred to Massachusetts on October 7, 1691, and at the same time Nantucket Island was split into the separate Nantucket County, Massachusetts. The 1695 incorporation statute created a county "by the name of Dukes County," as opposed to the standard form "the county of Dukes" which is the reason for the redundancy in the formal name, "County of Dukes County". [4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 491 square miles (1,270 km2), of which 103 square miles (270 km2) is land and 388 square miles (1,000 km2) (79%) is water. [5] It is the third-smallest county by land area in Massachusetts.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 3,255 | — | |
1800 | 3,118 | −4.2% | |
1810 | 3,290 | 5.5% | |
1820 | 3,292 | 0.1% | |
1830 | 3,517 | 6.8% | |
1840 | 3,958 | 12.5% | |
1850 | 4,540 | 14.7% | |
1860 | 4,403 | −3.0% | |
1870 | 3,787 | −14.0% | |
1880 | 4,300 | 13.5% | |
1890 | 4,369 | 1.6% | |
1900 | 4,561 | 4.4% | |
1910 | 4,504 | −1.2% | |
1920 | 4,372 | −2.9% | |
1930 | 4,953 | 13.3% | |
1940 | 5,669 | 14.5% | |
1950 | 5,633 | −0.6% | |
1960 | 5,829 | 3.5% | |
1970 | 6,117 | 4.9% | |
1980 | 8,942 | 46.2% | |
1990 | 11,639 | 30.2% | |
2000 | 14,987 | 28.8% | |
2010 | 16,535 | 10.3% | |
2020 | 20,600 | 24.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 20,819 | [8] | 1.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010 [13] 2020 [14] |
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 [13] | Pop 2020 [14] | % 2010 | %2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 14,275 | 16,230 | 86.33% | 78.79% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 477 | 795 | 2.88% | 3.86% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 175 | 202 | 1.06% | 0.98% |
Asian alone (NH) | 123 | 184 | 0.74% | 0.89% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 9 | 0.02% | 0.04% |
Other race alone (NH)(NH) | 571 | 701 | 3.45% | 3.40% |
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 526 | 1,945 | 3.18% | 9.44% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 384 | 534 | 2.32% | 2.59% |
Total | 16,535 | 20,600 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
At the 2010 census, there were 16,535 people, 7,368 households, and 4,221 families living in the county. [15] The population density was 160.2 inhabitants per square mile (61.9/km2). There were 17,188 housing units at an average density of 166.5 per square mile (64.3/km2). [16] The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% white, 3.1% black or African American, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.9% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population. [15]
The largest ancestry groups were: [17]
Of the 7,368 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.7% were non-families, and 33.4% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 45.3 years. [15]
The median household income was $62,407 and the median family income was $77,231. Males had a median income of $43,850 versus $41,994 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,390. About 5.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over. [18]
At the 2000 census there were 14,987 people, 6,421 households, and 3,788 families living in the county. The population density was 144 inhabitants per square mile (56/km2). There were 14,836 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile (55/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.4% were of English, 13.3% Irish, 8.6% Portuguese, 6.4% Italian and 5.7% American ancestry, 93.1% spoke English, 3.7% Portuguese and 1.7% Spanish as their first language and 0.285% speak Irish at home. [19] Of the 6,421 households 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.00% were non-families. 32.00% of households were one person and 11.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 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% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median household income was $45,559 and the median family income was $55,018. Males had a median income of $38,945 versus $30,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,472. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over.
As of the fourth quarter 2021, the median value of homes in Dukes County was $883,820, an increase of 22.3% from the prior year. [20]
The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. [21] [22] [23]
Rank | Town | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income | Population | Number of households | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chilmark | Town | $45,210 | $59,583 | $79,688 | 801 | 302 |
2 | Edgartown | Town | $38,083 | $74,214 | $82,583 | 4,034 | 1,466 |
3 | West Tisbury | Town | $36,592 | $75,759 | $87,566 | 2,506 | 926 |
Massachusetts | State | $35,051 | $65,981 | $83,371 | 6,512,227 | 2,522,409 | |
Dukes County | County | $33,228 | $69,760 | $82,659 | 16,353 | 5,568 | |
Vineyard Haven | CDP | $30,298 | $77,935 | $92,112 | 2,465 | 652 | |
4 | Gosnold | Town | $29,511 | $52,813 | $61,250 | 183 | 63 |
5 | Tisbury | Town | $29,384 | $54,762 | $60,521 | 3,914 | 1,290 |
6 | Oak Bluffs | Town | $29,117 | $78,890 | $84,846 | 4,449 | 1,429 |
United States | Country | $27,915 | $52,762 | $64,293 | 306,603,772 | 114,761,359 | |
7 | Aquinnah | Town | $25,512 | $82,500 | $106,250 | 466 | 92 |
Year | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Religion | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents |
Catholic Church | 3 | 2,000 | 3 | 5,000 | 3 | 9,951 | 3 | 12,896 |
Episcopal Church | 2 | 871 | 3 | 562 | 3 | 608 | 3 | 473 |
United Methodist | 6 | 620 | 6 | 587 | 5 | 524 | 2 | 176 |
American Baptist | 3 | 279 | 3 | 403 | 3 | 461 | 4 | 456 |
Regular Baptist | 0 | n/a | 1 | 62 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 90 |
United Church of Christ | 1 | 110 | 1 | 166 | 1 | 217 | 1 | 165 |
Unitarian-Universalist | 1 | 83 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 74 |
Assemblies of God | 1 | 5 | 1 | 69 | 2 | 174 | 1 | 160 |
Friends (Quakers) | 1 | n/a | 1 | 22 | 1 | 52 | 1 | 9 |
Church of Christ, Scientist | n/a | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a |
Congregational | n/a | n/a | 1 | 300 | 1 | 295 | 1 | 331 |
Jehovah's Witnesses | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | n/a |
Evangelical Christian | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 1 | 60 |
Mormon | n/a | n/a | 1 | 27 | 1 | 49 | 1 | 84 |
Buddhist | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 1 | 72 |
Jewish | 1 | 138 | 1 | 260 | 1 | 300 | 1 | 923 |
Ba'hai | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
Unaffiliated | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | 10,562 |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 2,745 | 22.48% | 9,137 | 74.84% | 327 | 2.68% |
2020 | 2,631 | 20.56% | 9,914 | 77.47% | 253 | 1.98% |
2016 | 2,477 | 21.22% | 8,400 | 71.95% | 797 | 6.83% |
2012 | 2,792 | 25.46% | 7,978 | 72.74% | 198 | 1.81% |
2008 | 2,442 | 23.14% | 7,913 | 74.98% | 198 | 1.88% |
2004 | 2,602 | 26.03% | 7,265 | 72.67% | 130 | 1.30% |
2000 | 2,315 | 26.14% | 5,474 | 61.81% | 1,067 | 12.05% |
1996 | 1,739 | 22.58% | 5,137 | 66.70% | 826 | 10.72% |
1992 | 1,827 | 23.16% | 4,292 | 54.41% | 1,769 | 22.43% |
1988 | 2,441 | 34.75% | 4,495 | 63.99% | 89 | 1.27% |
1984 | 2,788 | 45.52% | 3,313 | 54.09% | 24 | 0.39% |
1980 | 1,809 | 33.52% | 2,370 | 43.91% | 1,218 | 22.57% |
1976 | 2,365 | 46.06% | 2,513 | 48.94% | 257 | 5.00% |
1972 | 2,312 | 53.32% | 2,001 | 46.15% | 23 | 0.53% |
1968 | 1,576 | 49.31% | 1,540 | 48.19% | 80 | 2.50% |
1964 | 1,015 | 31.58% | 2,187 | 68.05% | 12 | 0.37% |
1960 | 1,998 | 60.80% | 1,282 | 39.01% | 6 | 0.18% |
1956 | 2,618 | 82.85% | 541 | 17.12% | 1 | 0.03% |
1952 | 2,432 | 76.05% | 760 | 23.76% | 6 | 0.19% |
1948 | 1,731 | 69.69% | 720 | 28.99% | 33 | 1.33% |
1944 | 1,372 | 61.41% | 861 | 38.54% | 1 | 0.04% |
1940 | 1,643 | 61.54% | 1,014 | 37.98% | 13 | 0.49% |
1936 | 1,655 | 63.29% | 931 | 35.60% | 29 | 1.11% |
1932 | 1,330 | 68.80% | 583 | 30.16% | 20 | 1.03% |
1928 | 1,487 | 75.94% | 470 | 24.00% | 1 | 0.05% |
1924 | 1,182 | 86.91% | 108 | 7.94% | 70 | 5.15% |
1920 | 1,013 | 86.73% | 150 | 12.84% | 5 | 0.43% |
1916 | 464 | 58.96% | 309 | 39.26% | 14 | 1.78% |
1912 | 269 | 34.75% | 215 | 27.78% | 290 | 37.47% |
1908 | 589 | 76.79% | 133 | 17.34% | 45 | 5.87% |
1904 | 602 | 80.16% | 120 | 15.98% | 29 | 3.86% |
1900 | 617 | 79.10% | 114 | 14.62% | 49 | 6.28% |
1896 | 691 | 80.54% | 91 | 10.61% | 76 | 8.86% |
1892 | 588 | 66.52% | 238 | 26.92% | 58 | 6.56% |
1888 | 570 | 64.19% | 199 | 22.41% | 119 | 13.40% |
1884 | 568 | 67.70% | 202 | 24.08% | 69 | 8.22% |
1880 | 576 | 76.60% | 174 | 23.14% | 2 | 0.27% |
1876 | 399 | 72.81% | 149 | 27.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
1872 | 556 | 82.74% | 116 | 17.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
1868 | 436 | 80.15% | 108 | 19.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
As does the rest of the state of Massachusetts, Dukes County heavily supports the Democratic Party. The last Republican Party candidate to receive over 40% of the county's vote was Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the last Republican to win the county was Richard Nixon in 1972. Before 1964, however, the county was a stronghold of the Republicans, supporting Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 by an especially large margin, well over 50%, and was one of the few counties where William Howard Taft finished ahead of Woodrow Wilson in 1912. (See table).
Voter registration and party enrollment as of February 2024 [25] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unenrolled | 9,710 | 58.16% | |||
Democratic | 5,762 | 34.51% | |||
Republican | 1,117 | 6.69% | |||
Libertarian | 42 | 0.25% | |||
Other parties | 65 | 0.39% | |||
Total | 16,696 | 100% |
School districts include: [26]
K-12:
Secondary:
Elementary:
Martha's Vineyard, often simply called the Vineyard, is an island in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, lying just south of Cape Cod. It is known for being a popular, affluent summer colony, and includes the smaller peninsula Chappaquiddick Island. It is the 58th largest island in the U.S., with a land area of about 96 square miles (250 km2), and the third-largest on the East Coast, after Long Island and Mount Desert Island. Martha's Vineyard constitutes the bulk of Dukes County, Massachusetts, which also includes the Elizabeth Islands and the island of Nomans Land.
Nantucket is an island in the state of Massachusetts in the United States, about 30 miles (48 km) south of the Cape Cod peninsula. Together with the small islands of Tuckernuck and Muskeget, it constitutes the Town and County of Nantucket, a combined county/town government. Nantucket is the southeasternmost town in both Massachusetts and the New England region. The name "Nantucket" is adapted from similar Algonquian names for the island.
Barnstable County is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 228,996. The county seat is Barnstable. The county consists of Cape Cod and associated islands. Barnstable County was formed as part of the Plymouth Colony on June 2, 1685, including the towns of Falmouth, Sandwich, and others to the east and north on Cape Cod. Plymouth Colony was merged into the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691.
Woods Hole is a census-designated place in the town of Falmouth in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. It lies at the extreme southwestern corner of Cape Cod, near Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands. The population was 781 at the 2010 census.
Aquinnah is a town located on the western end of Martha's Vineyard island, Massachusetts, United States. From 1870 to 1997, the town was incorporated as Gay Head. At the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 439. Aquinnah is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and natural serenity, as well as its historical importance to the native Wampanoag people. In 1965, Gay Head Cliffs were designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.
Chilmark is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,212 at the 2020 census. The fishing village of Menemsha is located on the western side of the town along its border with the town of Aquinnah. Chilmark had the highest median home sale price of any town or city in Massachusetts in 2013.
Edgartown is a town on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States, for which it is the county seat. The town's population was 5,168 at the 2020 census.
Gosnold is a town that encompasses the Elizabeth Islands in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2020 census, the town population was 70, making it the least populous town in Massachusetts. Most of the residents live in the island village of Cuttyhunk, an island on the southwestern part of the town. The largest island in the town by area, Naushon Island is owned by the Forbes family.
Oak Bluffs is a town located on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,341 at the 2020 United States Census. It is one of the island's principal points of arrival for summer tourists, and is noted for its "gingerbread cottages" and other well-preserved mid- to late-nineteenth-century buildings. The town has been a historically important center of African American culture since the eighteenth century.
Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,815 at the 2020 census.
Vineyard Haven is a community within the town of Tisbury, Massachusetts, United States on the island of Martha's Vineyard. It is listed as a census-designated place (CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a population of 2,114 as of the 2010 census.
West Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,555 at the 2020 census. Along with Chilmark and Aquinnah, West Tisbury forms "Up-Island" Martha's Vineyard.
Governor Thomas Mayhew, the Elder established the first European settlement on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and adjacent islands in 1642. He is one of the editors of the Bay Psalm Book, the first book published in the Thirteen Colonies. His assistant Peter Foulger was the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin.
The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, doing business as The Steamship Authority (SSA), is the statutory regulatory body for all ferry operations between mainland Massachusetts and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well an operator of ferry services between the mainland and the islands. It is the only ferry operator to carry automobiles to and from the islands. The Authority also operates several freight vessels, thus serving as the main link for shipping any commercial goods that are not transported using the airports on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard.
Monohansett was a sidewheel steamer operating as a ferry serving the island of Martha's Vineyard during the late nineteenth century. She was named after Monohansett Island, a tiny 12-acre (4.9-hectare) island off Naushon Island.
The Cleavelands were a family of whalers from the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States, from the seventeenth though the nineteenth centuries. They are related to many of the other whaling families of the islands, including the Mayhew, Athearn, Coffin, Look, Luce, and Pease families.
Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority(VTA) is a bus transportation system serving Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. In addition to diesel buses, it has 19 electric buses charged at several points. The Edgartown facility has 700 kW solar panels and a 1.5 MWh battery adding to the bus power.
Massachusetts Senate's Cape and Islands district in the United States is one of 40 legislative districts of the Massachusetts Senate. It covers 66.7% of Barnstable County, all of Dukes County, and all of Nantucket County population in 2010. Democrat Julian Cyr of Truro has represented the district since 2017. He ran unopposed for re-election in the 2020 Massachusetts general election.
Massachusetts House of Representatives' Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket district in the United States is one of 160 legislative districts included in the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court. It covers Dukes County, Nantucket County, and part of Barnstable County. Since 2017, Dylan A. Fernandes of the Democratic Party has represented the district. Fernandes is running unopposed in the 2020 Massachusetts general election.
Oak Bluffs is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Oak Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States, on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The Oak Bluffs CDP comprises the most densely settled part of the town, including the neighborhoods of Vineyard Highlands, Harthaven, and part of Eastville.