Holbrook, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOL : Holbrook, Massachusetts
Holbrook is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 10,785.
Geography
Holbrook is located at (42.148351, -71.010375)[Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²). 19.0 km² (7.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.67%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 10,785 people, 4,076 households, and 2,853 families residing in the town. The population density was 566.5/km² (1,466.7/mi²). There were 4,153 housing units at an average density of 218.2/km² (564.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.87% White, 3.99% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.There were 4,076 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $54,419, and the median income for a family was $62,532. Males had a median income of $43,134 versus $35,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,379. About 4.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
Holbrook was first settled in 1710 as the southern part of Old Braintree, and was officially incorporated in 1872, the last town created from the former lands of Braintree.It was formerly known as East Randolph, being that it is divided from Randolph by track from the Old Colony Railroad line. Holbrook is the only town in the United States to be founded on a leap day (February 29), 1872 .It was named for benefactor Elisha N. Holbrook, who provided the town with the funds for the town hall and library upon incorporation. The Story of Holbrooks split from Randolph goes something like this. In 1871, there had been pressure building in the part of Randolph known as East Randolph for an independent town. After a little mis-understanding (according to Randolph brethren, the Eastern group used rather stronger language) about the placement of a cupola on top of Stetson Hall as a vent for the gas lighting, the pot boiled over and East Randolph petitioned to be incorporated as a separate town. [link]Interesting Facts
- Holbrook is the only town in the United States to be founded on a Leap Day (February 29, 1872).
- Union Cemetery is the final resting place for several members of the famed 54th Massachusetts American Civil War infantry regiment.
- Several notable Americans were from Holbrook, including Captain Elihu Adams, Medal of Honor winner George Mason Lovering, former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Jr., Professional Baseball Player James Joseph Mann, and labor union leader Kevin Robert Hammond.
External links
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