Dukes County, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dukes County
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| County of Dukes County | ||
County Administration Building at the Martha's Vineyard Airport
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Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Massachusetts |
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| Founded | 1695 | |
| Named for | James, Duke of York | |
| Seat | Edgartown | |
| Largest town | Oak Bluffs | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 491 sq mi (1,270 km2) | |
| • Land | 103 sq mi (270 km2) | |
| • Water | 388 sq mi (1,000 km2) 79%% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 20,600 | |
| • Density | 199.6/sq mi (77.1/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 9th | |
Dukes County is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 20,600, making it the second-least populous county in Massachusetts. Its county seat is Edgartown.
Dukes County comprises the Vineyard Haven, MA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county consists of 32 named islands, the largest of which is Martha's Vineyard. It also includes Chappaquiddick Island (sometimes peninsula of the Vineyard), the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, and Nomans Land.
Contents
History
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".
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. It is the third-smallest county by land area in Massachusetts.
Named Islands
- Martha's Vineyard
- Chappaquiddick Island, Edgartown
- Skiff’s Island, south of Chappaquiddick
- Ferry Boat Island, Tisbury
- Wood Island, Oak Bluffs
- Brush Island, Oak Bluffs
- Gravel Island, Oak Bluffs
- Sarson Island, Oak Bluffs
- Haystack Island, Oak Bluffs
- Edy’s Island, Chilmark
- Mayhew Island, Chilmark
- Beach Grass Island, Chilmark
- Strawberry Island, Chilmark
- Gull Island, Chilmark
- Great Island, Chilmark
- Nomans Land, Chilmark
- Elizabeth Islands, Gosnold
- Naushon Island
- Nashawena Island
- Pasque Island
- Cuttyhunk Island
- Penikese Island
- Gull Island
- Barlet Island
- Rock Island
- Uncatena Island
- Nonamesset Island
- Veckatimest Island
- Monohansett Island
- Cedar Island
- Bull Island
- Pine Island
- Weepecket Islands
Nearby counties
- Barnstable County – northeast
- Plymouth County – north
- Bristol County – northwest
- Nantucket County – east
National protected area
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 3,255 | — | |
| 1800 | 3,118 | −4.2% | |
| 1810 | 3,290 | 5.5% | |
| 1820 | 3,292 | 0.1% | |
| 1830 | 3,517 | 6.8% | |
| 1840 | 3,958 | 12.5% | |
| 1850 | 4,540 | 14.7% | |
| 1860 | 4,403 | −3.0% | |
| 1870 | 3,787 | −14.0% | |
| 1880 | 4,300 | 13.5% | |
| 1890 | 4,369 | 1.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,561 | 4.4% | |
| 1910 | 4,504 | −1.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,372 | −2.9% | |
| 1930 | 4,953 | 13.3% | |
| 1940 | 5,669 | 14.5% | |
| 1950 | 5,633 | −0.6% | |
| 1960 | 5,829 | 3.5% | |
| 1970 | 6,117 | 4.9% | |
| 1980 | 8,942 | 46.2% | |
| 1990 | 11,639 | 30.2% | |
| 2000 | 14,987 | 28.8% | |
| 2010 | 16,535 | 10.3% | |
| 2020 | 20,600 | 24.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 20,819 | 25.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 14,275 | 16,230 | 86.33% | 78.79% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 477 | 795 | 2.88% | 3.86% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 175 | 202 | 1.06% | 0.98% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 123 | 184 | 0.74% | 0.89% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 9 | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 571 | 701 | 3.45% | 3.40% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 526 | 1,945 | 3.18% | 9.44% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 384 | 534 | 2.32% | 2.59% |
| Total | 16,535 | 20,600 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 16,535 people, 7,368 households, and 4,221 families living in the county. 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). 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.
The largest ancestry groups were:
- 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.
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.
Real estate
As of the fourth quarter 2021, the median value of homes in Dukes County was $883,820, an increase of 22.3% from the prior year.
Demographic breakdown by town
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.
| 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 |
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 |
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
Education
School districts include:
K-12:
- Gosnold School District
Secondary:
- Martha's Vineyard School District
Elementary:
- Edgartown School District
- Oak Bluffs School District
- Tisbury School District
- Up-Island Regional School District
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Dukes para niños
