Wrentham, Massachusetts
From Freepedia
Wrentham is a town located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 10,554.
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History
Wrentham, originally called by its Native American name Wollomonopoag (which encompassed the towns that are now Wrentham, Bellingham, Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville, parts of Foxboro and Cumberland, RI), was first settled by the English in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1673. It was burned down during King Philip's War 1675-1676. It is now a rural Massachusetts town that embraces both its rich history and its bright future.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.4 km² (22.9 mi²). 57.5 km² (22.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.14% water. Bordered by Norfolk, MA on the north, Foxboro, MA on the east, Plainville, MA and Cumberland, RI on the south, Bellingham, MA on the southwest, and Franklin, MA on the west. It has two large lakes towards the center of town, Lake Pearl and Lake Archer, as well as Mirror Lake on the Wrentham/Norfolk border and numerous smaller lakes. Sheldonville, MA, or West Wrentham, is a rural section of Wrentham located on the western leg of town. Sheldonville still maintains a unique identity as the old farming section of Wrentham, and still has its own zipcode (02070 rather than Wrentham's 02093). Sweatt Hill, located in the center of town behind the elementary school and baseball fields, is very steep and used to be open to skiers with one lift and a small lodge, both of which have since been closed. Its steep face creates an ideal environment for sledding, and its scenic, roundabout route to the top around the back of the hill allows for anyone to safely reach the top. Much of the town, including the entire center of town, can be seen from the top.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 10,554 people, 3,402 households, and 2,653 families residing in the town. The population density is 183.6/km² (475.5/mi²). There are 3,507 housing units at an average density of 61.0/km² (158.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.64% White, 0.61% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,402 households out of which 43.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% are married couples living together, 6.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% are non-families. 17.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.89 and the average family size is 3.31.
In the town the population is spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $78,043, and the median income for a family is $89,058. Males have a median income of $58,776 versus $37,219 for females. The per capita income for the town is $30,792. 3.9% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 4.2% of those under the age of 18 and 10.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
The Wrentham Elementary School consists of three buildings (which separate the different grade levels). There is the Delaney Elementary School for the lowest grades, the Vogel Elementary School for the intermediate grades, and the Roderick Elementary School for the highest grades (up to grade 6). All 3 of these buildings are located on one Wrentham Elementary School campus located off of Taunton St & Randall Rd in the center of Wrentham. King Philip Regional High School is located on Franklin St and is the high school for students from Wrentham, Norfolk, and Plainville. Students in middle school attend King Philip Regional Middle School in Norfolk, MA. Both of the King Philip schools have major construction projects ongoing, with the middle school recently being completed, and the high school currently being renovated and added on to. Other high schools that students may attend include: Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, MA, or, Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA.
