Lancaster, Massachusetts
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Lancaster is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 7,380.
For geographic and demographic information on the village of South Lancaster, please see the article South Lancaster, Massachusetts.
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History
Lancaster was first settled in 1643 and was officially incorporated in 1653.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.0 km² (28.2 mi²). 71.7 km² (27.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.84% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 7,380 people, 2,049 households, and 1,551 families residing in the town. The population density is 102.9/km² (266.7/mi²). There are 2,141 housing units at an average density of 29.9/km² (77.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 84.51% White, 10.61% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 7.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,049 households out of which 36.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.1% are married couples living together, 8.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% are non-families. 19.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.22.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 125.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 129.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $60,752, and the median income for a family is $66,490. Males have a median income of $42,367 versus $35,417 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,010. 4.1% of the population and 4.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.5% of those under the age of 18 and 14.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Taxes are OUT OF CONTROL in Lancaster due to lack of a commercial tax base, high scool budget costs, and a large amount of land and business classified as untaxable because it is owned by the Adventist Church. Few children who grew up in Lancaster are able to afford the cost of living there today. Conversely, many older adults are unable to retire there since it is hard to justify the high taxes unless you have kids in the school system.
External links
- Lancaster official website (http://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/)
- Lancaster unofficial website (http://www.lancasteronline.org/)