Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 5,113 at the 2000 census.
History
Originally called the Northwest District of Rutland, it was first settled in 1720. The town was incorporated on June 17, 1774 as Hutchinson after Thomas Hutchinson, colonial governor of Massachusetts. But on November 7, 1776, it was renamed Barre in honor of Isaac Barré, a champion of the American Colonies.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles (115.5 km²), of which, 44.3 square miles (114.8 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.7 km²) of it (0.63%) is water. Barre is drained by the Ware River.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there are 5,113 people, 1,889 households, and 1,377 families residing in the town. The population density is 115.3 people per square mile (44.5/km²). There are 1,988 housing units at an average density of 44.8/sq mi (17.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.63% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,889 households out of which 36.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% are married couples living together, 9.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% are non-families. 22.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the town the population is spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $50,553, and the median income for a family is $56,069. Males have a median income of $40,284 versus $29,250 for females. The per capita income for the town is $20,476. 3.4% of the population and 1.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.5% of those under the age of 18 and 2.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
Barre is home to the Quabbin Regional High School.
Barre is also home to Ruggles Lane Elementary School.
At one time, extending from 1840 into the twentieth century, it was home to the Barre Massachusetts Institution for the Education of Feeble Minded Youth.
Government
Sites of interest
Notable residents
References
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
