Avon, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avon, Massachusetts
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Avon Baptist Church
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Location in Norfolk County in Massachusetts
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Massachusetts |
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| County | Norfolk | |
| Settled | 1700 | |
| Incorporated | 1888 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 11.8 km2 (4.6 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 11.3 km2 (4.4 sq mi) | |
| • Water | 0.5 km2 (0.2 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 67 m (219 ft) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,777 | |
| • Density | 422.7/km2 (1,085.7/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP Code |
02322
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-02935 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618314 | |
| Website | www.avon-ma.gov | |
Avon is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,777 people lived there.
Contents
History of Avon
The first person to settle in the area that would become Avon was Moses Curtis. He was a blacksmith who arrived around 1720 from Braintree, Massachusetts. By 1749, the area where he and his family lived was known as Curtis Corners.
Avon's history began in the large forests of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This land was once part of the ancient town of Dorchester. In 1630, an Indian chief named Chicataubut sold the English the right to settle in Dorchester. This area stretched south to Blue Hill.
Later, the chief's brother, Kitchamakin, made the boundary even larger. It went all the way to the Plymouth Colony line. This huge area, called the "New Grant," gave Dorchester control over more than 40,000 acres. This made it the biggest town in New England at the time.
In 1726, the southern part of Dorchester was set aside. This area included what are now the towns of Stoughton, Avon, Sharon, Canton, and Foxborough. It also included parts of Wrentham and Dedham. This large area was then named Stoughton.
When Moses Curtis arrived in 1720, the road through this southeastern part of "Old Stoughton" was just a small path. It was called the "Old Beaten Path." It's not known why Curtis chose this spot, but it was one of the most isolated places to settle.
In 1848, a new church called the Third Baptist Meeting House was built in East Stoughton.
Avon officially became its own town on February 21, 1888. It separated from Stoughton after people sent a request to the state government. The town was named after Stratford-upon-Avon in England. This is the birthplace of the famous writer William Shakespeare. Because of this, Avon's town seal even has a picture of Shakespeare on it!
Geography of Avon
Avon covers a total area of about 4.6 square miles (11.8 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 4.4 square miles (11.3 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.2 square miles (0.5 square kilometers), is water.
Avon shares its borders with several other towns. To the south is the City of Brockton. To the west is Stoughton. To the northeast is Randolph, and to the east is Holbrook. Avon is located about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of the big city of Boston.
Population and People
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1890 | 1,384 | — |
| 1900 | 1,741 | +25.8% |
| 1910 | 2,013 | +15.6% |
| 1920 | 2,176 | +8.1% |
| 1930 | 2,414 | +10.9% |
| 1940 | 2,335 | −3.3% |
| 1950 | 2,666 | +14.2% |
| 1960 | 4,301 | +61.3% |
| 1970 | 5,295 | +23.1% |
| 1980 | 5,026 | −5.1% |
| 1990 | 4,558 | −9.3% |
| 2000 | 4,443 | −2.5% |
| 2010 | 4,356 | −2.0% |
| 2020 | 4,777 | +9.7% |
| 2022* | 4,735 | −0.9% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. | ||
In 2000, there were 4,443 people living in Avon. These people made up 1,705 households, with many being families. The town had about 1,740 housing units.
About 26.7% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households were married couples. The average household had about 2.61 people. The average family had about 3.13 people.
The median age of people in Avon was 40 years old. This means half the people were younger than 40, and half were older. About 22.5% of the population was under 18 years old.
Education in Avon
The Avon School District is responsible for the schools in Avon. They provide education for the children and young people living in the town.
Transportation in Avon
Avon has public transportation options. The Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT) provides bus services. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) also serves the town. These services help people travel to nearby Brockton and to the city of Boston.
See also
In Spanish: Avon (Massachusetts) para niños
