History Of Dukes County, Massachusetts

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.

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 , of which is land and (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

* Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

2020 census

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 . There were 17,188 housing units at an average density of . 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.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 14,987 people, 6,421 households, and 3,788 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 14,836 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 90.69% White, 2.40% Black or African American, 1.71% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.4% were of English, 13.3% Irish, 8.6% Portuguese, 6.4% Italian and 5.7% American ancestry, 93.1% spoke English, 3.7% Portuguese and 1.7% Spanish as their first language and 0.285% speak Irish at home.
Of the 6,421 households 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.00% were non-families. 32.00% of households were one person and 11.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median household income was $45,559 and the median family income was $55,018. Males had a median income of $38,945 versus $30,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,472. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 5.30% 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.

Religion

Politics

As does the rest of the state of Massachusetts, Dukes County heavily supports the Democratic Party. The last Republican Party candidate to receive over 40% of the county's vote was Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the last Republican to win the county was Richard Nixon in 1972. Before 1964, however, the county was a stronghold of the Republicans, supporting Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 by an especially large margin, well over 50%, and was one of the few counties where William Howard Taft finished ahead of Woodrow Wilson in 1912. ''(See table)''.

Voter registration

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

* Cuttyhunk
*Menemsha

Education

School districts include:
Text list
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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

* List of Massachusetts locations by per capita income
* Registry of Deeds (Massachusetts)
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Dukes County, Massachusetts
* USS ''Dukes County'' (LST-735)

References

External links

*

{{coord, 41.37, -70.70, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-MA_source:UScensus1990

1695 establishments in the Province of Massachusetts Bay
Massachusetts counties
Micropolitan areas of Massachusetts
Populated places established in 1695