Chilmark, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chilmark, Massachusetts
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Chilmark Town Hall
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Location in Dukes County in Massachusetts
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Dukes | |
| Settled | 1660 | |
| Incorporated | September 14, 1694 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 100.4 sq mi (260.1 km2) | |
| • Land | 19.0 sq mi (49.3 km2) | |
| • Water | 81.4 sq mi (210.8 km2) | |
| Elevation | 91 ft (28 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,212 | |
| • Density | 64/sq mi (24.6/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
02535
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| Area code(s) | 508/774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-13800 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618288 | |
Chilmark is a small and charming town located on Martha's Vineyard. This island is part of Dukes County in Massachusetts, United States. In 2020, about 1,212 people lived here. The pretty fishing village of Menemsha is also part of Chilmark. It sits on the western edge of the town, right next to Aquinnah. In 2013, Chilmark had the highest average home sale price in all of Massachusetts!
Contents
History of Chilmark
How Chilmark Began
The first English settlement on Martha's Vineyard started in 1642. It was led by Governor Thomas Mayhew, the Elder. Chilmark officially became a town on September 14, 1694. It was the first town to separate from the two original towns of Tisbury and Edgartown.
The town got its name from Chilmark, a place in England. This was where Governor Thomas Mayhew's family came from. In 1714, the island of Nomans Land also became part of Chilmark.
A Unique Community in the Past
Long ago, Chilmark was known for something very special. Many people in the town communicated using a unique Martha's Vineyard Sign Language. In 1854, about one out of every 25 people in Chilmark was deaf. This was much higher than the national average at the time. This led to a community where sign language was very common.
Today, Chilmark is mostly a quiet place where people live. It still has a small, busy harbor in Menemsha. This harbor is on the side of town facing Vineyard Sound.
Presidential Visits
From 2009 to 2011, President Barack Obama and his family spent their summer vacations in Chilmark. They rented a place called the Blue Heron Farm.
Geography of Chilmark
Land and Water Features
Chilmark covers about 49.3 square kilometers (19 square miles) of land. It is the 192nd largest community in Massachusetts by land area. The town is bordered by Vineyard Sound and Aquinnah to the west. To the east is West Tisbury, and to the south is the Atlantic Ocean.
Chilmark also includes the island of Nomans Land. This island is southwest of Martha's Vineyard. Because of Nomans Land, Chilmark is officially the second most southerly point in Massachusetts.
Ponds and Beaches
Chilmark has many small ponds along its Atlantic coast. It shares Tisbury Great Pond to the east. It also shares Menemsha Pond and Squibnocket Pond to the southwest, near the Aquinnah town line. The only road to Aquinnah passes between Menemsha Pond and Squibnocket Pond. These two ponds are only about 1,100 feet apart at their closest point.
Long Beach is a private beach that runs along the southern side of Squibnocket Pond. It connects Chilmark and Aquinnah. Years ago, Squibnocket Pond was open to the sea. But a barrier beach with sand dunes eventually closed this opening. Sometimes during winter storms, waves wash over low parts of the beach. However, the beach itself has not been broken through in a very long time.
Highest Point and Natural Areas
Chilmark is home to the highest point on Martha's Vineyard. This is Peaked Hill, which is 311 feet (95 meters) tall.
The town has several special natural areas. These include sanctuaries and preserves. The largest is the Menemsha Hills Reservation. It is just northeast of the Menemsha village.
Chilmark also has six beaches. One is in Menemsha, and another is on the inner shore of Menemsha Bay. The other beaches are along the Atlantic coast. Some of these beaches are only for landowners. Public beaches may require a special pass.
Harbor and Transportation
There is a boat launch in Menemsha. You can also find a Coast Guard station there. The Coast Guard station is in Menemsha Creek (Harbor). The original station burned down in 2010 but was rebuilt and reopened in 2015.
Chilmark does not have its own ferry or airport. The Martha's Vineyard Airport is in the nearby town of West Tisbury. Ferries to Woods Hole are in Vineyard Haven, which is about 12 miles northeast. Ferries also leave from Oak Bluffs, about 16 miles away.
Population of Chilmark
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 747 | — |
| 1860 | 654 | −12.4% |
| 1870 | 476 | −27.2% |
| 1880 | 494 | +3.8% |
| 1890 | 353 | −28.5% |
| 1900 | 324 | −8.2% |
| 1910 | 282 | −13.0% |
| 1920 | 240 | −14.9% |
| 1930 | 252 | +5.0% |
| 1940 | 226 | −10.3% |
| 1950 | 183 | −19.0% |
| 1960 | 238 | +30.1% |
| 1970 | 340 | +42.9% |
| 1980 | 489 | +43.8% |
| 1990 | 650 | +32.9% |
| 2000 | 843 | +29.7% |
| 2010 | 866 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 1,212 | +40.0% |
| 2023 | 1,232 | +1.7% |
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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How Many People Live Here?
In 2020, the population of Chilmark was 1,212 people. This makes Chilmark one of the smaller towns on Martha's Vineyard. It has the second smallest population on the island, just ahead of Aquinnah. It is also the least crowded town on the island.
Education in Chilmark
School System
Chilmark is part of the Martha's Vineyard Regional School District. This district includes several other towns: Aquinnah, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.
Younger students from Chilmark go to the Aquinnah-Chilmark Regional Elementary School. This school is for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. After that, high school students attend Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
High School Spirit
The sports teams at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School are called the Vineyarders. Their team colors are violet and white. The school has a long-standing friendly rivalry with Nantucket High School. They compete for the Island Cup every year.
See also
In Spanish: Chilmark para niños
