Paxton, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paxton, Massachusetts
|
||
|---|---|---|
Paxton Town Hall
|
||
|
||
Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
|
||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Worcester | |
| Settled | 1749 | |
| Incorporated | 1765 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km2) | |
| • Land | 14.7 sq mi (38.2 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,158 ft (353 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 5,004 | |
| • Density | 322.8/sq mi (124.79/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01612
|
|
| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-52420 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0619485 | |
| Website | Town of Paxton, Massachusetts | |
Paxton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,004 people lived there.
Contents
History of Paxton
Paxton was first settled by Europeans in 1749. It became an official town in 1765. Before that, the land was home to the Nipmuc tribe.
The area that became Paxton was taken from parts of the towns of Leicester and Rutland. It officially became a town on February 12, 1765. A man named Charles Paxton, who worked for the Admiralty Court, offered to give the town a church bell if they named the town after him. However, he never actually gave the gift.
Soon after becoming a town, the people decided to build a meeting house. On April 1, 1765, they voted to build it. The frame of the building was put up on June 18, 1766. This is the same frame used in the meeting house that stands today.
The land for the meeting house was given by Seth Howe. It was part of his pasture. In 1766, just two years after the town was formed, the foundation for the meeting house was laid. It is now on the town common, near the flagstaff.
A man named David Davis traveled to Boston with a pair of oxen. He brought back the church bell that is still used today. This bell was made by the famous Paul Revere.
In the middle of the 1900s, a small, old amusement park called "Paxton Navy Yard" was open here. Also, Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton was where the Yankee Network started its early FM broadcasting in 1939.
Geography of Paxton
Paxton covers a total area of about 15.5 square miles (40.1 km2). Most of this area, about 14.7 square miles (38.2 km2), is land. The rest, about 0.7 square miles (1.9 km2), is water.
Neighboring Towns
Paxton is surrounded by several other towns:
 |
Oakham | Rutland | Holden | |
| Spencer |  |
|||
 Paxton  |
||||
 |
||||
| Leicester | Worcester |
Paxton's Population
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 820 | — |
| 1860 | 725 | −11.6% |
| 1870 | 646 | −10.9% |
| 1880 | 592 | −8.4% |
| 1890 | 445 | −24.8% |
| 1900 | 459 | +3.1% |
| 1910 | 416 | −9.4% |
| 1920 | 489 | +17.5% |
| 1930 | 672 | +37.4% |
| 1940 | 791 | +17.7% |
| 1950 | 1,066 | +34.8% |
| 1960 | 2,399 | +125.0% |
| 1970 | 3,731 | +55.5% |
| 1980 | 3,762 | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 4,047 | +7.6% |
| 2000 | 4,386 | +8.4% |
| 2010 | 4,806 | +9.6% |
| 2020 | 5,004 | +4.1% |
| 2022* | 5,024 | +0.4% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
||
In 2000, there were 4,386 people living in Paxton. There were 1,428 households, and 1,153 families. The town had about 297.7 people per square mile.
About 36.1% of households had children under 18. Most households (72.1%) were married couples. About 19.2% were not families.
The population was spread out by age:
- 23.9% were under 18 years old.
- 13.6% were from 18 to 24.
- 23.9% were from 25 to 44.
- 24.0% were from 45 to 64.
- 14.6% were 65 or older.
The average age was 38 years.
The average income for a household in Paxton was $72,039. For families, it was $80,498.
| County-level state agency heads | |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts: | Dennis P. McManus (D) |
| District Attorney: | Joseph D. Early, Jr. (D) |
| Register of Deeds: | Anthony J. Vigliotti (D) |
| Register of Probate: | Stephanie K. Fattman (R) |
| County Sheriff: | Lew Evangelidis (R) |
| State government | |
| State Representative(s): | Kimberly N. Ferguson (R) |
| State Senator(s): | Anne Gobi (D) |
| Governor's Councilor(s): | Jen Caissie (R) |
| Federal government | |
| U.S. Representative(s): | James P. McGovern (D-2nd District) |
| U.S. Senators: | Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D) |
Things to See and Do in Paxton
Paxton has some interesting places to visit:
- Moore State Park: A great place for outdoor activities.
- Worcester County Memorial Park: A peaceful park.
- Thompson Pond (Massachusetts): A local pond.
Education in Paxton
Paxton has several schools and colleges:
- Anna Maria College has its main campus in Paxton. It also has a new campus in Worcester.
- Paxton is part of the Wachusett Regional School District.
- Paxton Center School teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
- The public high school for Paxton students is Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, Massachusetts.
- Since 2005, high school students can also choose to attend Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School.
- Paxton Center School offers programs like band, chorus, and track for students in grades 5-8. All students also take physical education, art, and technology classes.
Paxton Public Library
The Paxton public library first opened in 1877. In 2008, the town spent about $143,354 on its library. This was about $30 for each person living in Paxton.
Town Services and Utilities
Here's how Paxton provides services to its residents:
- Electricity: The town has its own municipal light department that provides electricity.
- Water: The town's water department provides water. Paxton's main source of drinking water is Asnebumskit Pond. Paxton sells raw water from this pond to Worcester. Then, it buys back water that has been cleaned at Worcester's water plant.
- Telephone: Verizon provides phone service. All phones in Paxton are connected to Verizon's main office in Worcester.
- Cable TV: Charter Communications provides cable television service.
- Natural Gas and Sewer: Paxton does not have natural gas or public sewer service. Some houses near the Paxton-Worcester border are connected to Worcester's sewer system. In 2006, Paxton residents voted against creating a sewer district for the southern part of town.
Famous People from Paxton
Some notable people who have lived in Paxton include:
- Jamie Dinan, an investor.
- David Goodman, who received the Medal of Honor.
- Burt Grinstead, an actor.
- Todd Richards, a snowboarder.
- Samuel Stearns, an astronomer.
- Harriet Ware, a teacher.
See also
In Spanish: Paxton (Massachusetts) para niños
