North Andover, Massachusetts

North Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 27,202 at the 2000 census.

History

There is evidence that North Andover has been inhabited for more than 8,000 years. The Weir Hill area was likely an encampment and home for Native Americans due to the abundant natural resources associated with Lake Cochichewick and the Merrimack Valley. The name Weir Hill comes from the anadromous fish run that historically ran up Cochichewick Brook into the lake.

North Andover was first settled, as Andover, in 1646, when the Indian town of Cochichawicke was purchased by the Rev Mr. John Woodbridge (1613-17 March 1694/95) for "£6 and a coat." On 26 May 1647, the General Court appointed John Osgood and Thomas Hale to lay out a road from Andover to Haverhill. The town of North Andover was officially incorporated 7 April 1855.

Due to its location near the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, North Andover was at one time of minor importance as a mill community with some cotton mills of its own.

During the Salem Witch Trials numerous people from North Andover were accused of witchcraft, more than from Danvers, Massachusetts itself (which was the location of the Salem Witch Trials.)

North Andover originally was the political and religious center of a larger 17th century settlement which today would include Andover, North Andover, and the eastern part of Lawrence. First called Cochiechewick Plantation for the tall trees and rivers, the area was reserved by the General Court in 1634 for an inland plantation; the first settlement was established in 1643 by residents of the coastal towns of Ipswich and Newbury, including the Rev. Mr. John Bradstreet, a minister from Ipswich, John Osgood, John Stevens, William Ballard, John Lovejoy and Thomas Chandler. Although there were boundary changes throughout the 18th century, it was not until 1855 that Andover split into two separate towns, Andover and North Andover. North Andover includes the Old Center which was the North Parish. A subtle rivalry between the two towns still exists today

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.8 square miles (72.1 km²), of which, 26.6 square miles (69.0 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (4.27%) is water.

North Andover borders the following towns: Andover, Lawrence, Haverhill, Boxford, Middleton, and North Reading. North Andover is separated from Methuen by the Merrimack River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,202 people, 9,724 households, and 6,904 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,020.7 people per square mile (394.1/km²). There were 9,943 housing units at an average density of 373.1/sq mi (144.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.67% White, 0.72% African American, 0.05% Native American, 3.96% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 9,724 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $72,728, and the median income for a family was $91,105. Males had a median income of $66,793 versus $38,495 for females. The per capita income for the town was $34,335. 2.9% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the poverty line. 2.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education

Public Schools

• Kittredge Elementary School
• Franklin Elementary School
• Atkinson Elementary School
• Sargent Elementary School
• Thomson Elementary School
• North Andover Middle School
• North Andover High School

Private Schools

• Brooks School (9-12)
• St. Michael School (Nursery-8)

Points of interest

• Brooks School
• Merrimack College
• Moseley Wrought Iron Arch Bridge
• The Museum of Printing
• Rolling Ridge - Retreat and Conference Center
• The Stevens-Coolidge Place
• Ward Reservation
• Weir Hill

References

External links

• Town of North Andover
• Weir Hill