Dukes County, Massachusetts

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Dukes County
County
County of Dukes County
Town Hall, Edgartown
Town Hall, Edgartown
Official seal of Dukes County
Seal
Map of Massachusetts highlighting Dukes County
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts
Map of the United States highlighting Massachusetts
Massachusetts's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°24′53″N 70°36′46″W / 41.414841°N 70.612679°W / 41.414841; -70.612679
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Founded1695
Named forJames, Duke of York
SeatEdgartown
Largest townOak Bluffs
Area
 • Total491 sq mi (1,270 km2)
 • Land103 sq mi (270 km2)
 • Water388 sq mi (1,000 km2)  79%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total20,600
 • Density199.6/sq mi (77.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.dukescounty.org

Dukes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,600,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Massachusetts. Its shire town is Edgartown.[2]

Dukes County comprises the Vineyard Haven, MA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county consists of the island of Martha's Vineyard (including Chappaquiddick Island), the Elizabeth Islands (including Cuttyhunk), the island of Nomans Land, and other associated islets.

History[]

An early seal of the Dukes County government, c. 1722, representing a crude portrayal of grapevines

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".[3]

Geography[]

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.[4] It is the third-smallest county by land area in Massachusetts.

Nearby counties[]

  • Barnstable County, Massachusetts – northeast
  • Plymouth County, Massachusetts – north
  • Bristol County, Massachusetts – northwest
  • Nantucket County, Massachusetts – east

National protected area[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
17903,255—
18003,118−4.2%
18103,2905.5%
18203,2920.1%
18303,5176.8%
18403,95812.5%
18504,54014.7%
18604,403−3.0%
18703,787−14.0%
18804,30013.5%
18904,3691.6%
19004,5614.4%
19104,504−1.2%
19204,372−2.9%
19304,95313.3%
19405,66914.5%
19505,633−0.6%
19605,8293.5%
19706,1174.9%
19808,94246.2%
199011,63930.2%
200014,98728.8%
201016,53510.3%
202020,60024.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2020[9]

2000 census[]

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 people 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.[10] 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.

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census, there were 16,535 people, 7,368 households, and 4,221 families living in the county.[11] 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).[12] 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.[11]

The largest ancestry groups were:[13]

  • 18.5% Irish
  • 17.1% English
  • 11.7% Portuguese
  • 10.0% American
  • 9.2% German
  • 7.6% Italian
  • 5.5% French
  • 2.9% West Indian
  • 2.9% Scottish
  • 2.5% Dutch
  • 2.3% Scotch-Irish
  • 2.1% Swedish
  • 2.1% Polish
  • 1.9% French Canadian
  • 1.4% Russian
  • 1.1% Arab
  • 1.0% Sub-Saharan African

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.[11]

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.[14]

Demographic breakdown by town[]

Income[]

See also: List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income

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.[15][16][17]

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

Political affiliation[]

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 13, 2010[18]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 4,920 36.43%
Republican 1,415 10.48%
Unenrolled 7,081 52.44%
Minor Parties 88 0.65%
Total 13,504 100%

Religion[]

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

Politics[]

Like the state of Massachusetts, Dukes County is heavily Democratic (See bar at left). The last Republican to reach even 40% was Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the last Republican to win the county was Richard Nixon in 1972. Before 1964, however, the county had been a Republican one, 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 bar at left).

Presidential elections results

Communities[]

Towns[]

  • Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head)
  • Chilmark
  • Edgartown (shire town or county seat)
  • Gosnold
  • Oak Bluffs
  • Tisbury
  • West Tisbury

Census-designated places[]

  • Edgartown
  • Oak Bluffs
  • Vineyard Haven

Other villages[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Dukes County, MA – An Ancient Heritage Archived May 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  13. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  15. ^ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  16. ^ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  17. ^ "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  18. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 13, 2010" (PDF). Massachusetts Elections Division. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 27, 2018.

External links[]

Coordinates: 41°22′N 70°42′W / 41.37°N 70.70°W / 41.37; -70.70

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