Yarmouth is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 24,807 at the 2000 census.

History

The first attempt to settle Yarmouth was made by Rev. Stephen Bachiler and his followers in the winter of 1637/8. However, this settlement was abandoned due to the severity of the winter "and others undertook it". Yarmouth was organized and named in 1639. It originally was founded by the Pilgrims, and covered lands currently part of the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham and Harwich. Farming and the sea provided the industry for the early settlers to the town, with both the northern and southern ports being active in industry. This brought wealth to Yarmouth, which can still be seen today in its historic districts. The railroad came in the mid-1800s, and helped Yarmouth become a tourist destination. Today the town is mostly known for its tourist industry and shopping, as it is the home of the original Christmas Tree Shops on Route 28.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.2 square miles (73.1 km²), of which, 24.2 square miles (62.8 km²) of it is land and 4.0 square miles (10.3 km²) of it (14.07%) is water. Yarmouth is bordered by Cape Cod Bay to the north, Dennis to the east, Nantucket Sound to the south, and Barnstable to the west. Yarmouth is approximately seventy-five miles southeast of Boston.

The Bass River and its tributaries make up the majority of the town's border with Dennis. There are also several smaller ponds throughout the town. The Cape Cod Bay shore is marshy, with several creeks flowing into it. The town's southern shore is known for its beaches, from the west jetty of the Bass River to Great Island, on the east and south sides of Hyannis Harbor. The town has no state forests or wildlife management areas, although there are many such natural, unprotected areas in town. The town is also the site of four golf courses, a rod and gun club, and a Boy Scout camp.

Transportation

Cape Cod's three major east-west routes, U.S. Route 6, Route 6A and Route 28, all run through the town. Unlike many towns on the Cape, there are no other state routes crossing between the three roads, with all crossing routes being local roads. There are two exits off of Route 6 (also known as the Mid-Cape Highway) in town.

The Bay Colony Railroad line passes from east to west through the town, as does a portion of its spur to Hyannis. There are also several bike paths throughout town. The nearest airport is the Barnstable Municipal Airport, just over the town line. The nearest national and international air service can be reached at Logan International Airport in Boston.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,807 people, 11,520 households, and 6,900 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,023.0 people per square mile (395.0/km²). There were 16,605 housing units at an average density of 684.8/sq mi (264.4/km²).

There were 11,520 households out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the town the population was spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,808, and the median income for a family was $48,148. Males had a median income of $37,090 versus $26,741 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,731. About 5.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Yarmouth is represented in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a part of the First and Second Barnstable Districts. The town is represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a part of the Cape and Islands Districts, which includes all of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket except the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and a portion of Barnstable. The town is home to the Second Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police.

On the national level, Yarmouth is a part of Massachusetts's 10th congressional district, and is currently represented by Bill Delahunt. The state's senior (Class I) member of the United States Senate, re-elected in 2006, is Ted Kennedy. The junior (Class II) Senator, up for re-election in 2008, is John Kerry.

Yarmouth is governed by the open town meeting form of government, and is led by a town administrator and a board of selectmen. There is a central police station, and one firehouse, post office and library each in South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth and Yarmouth Port.

Education

Yarmouth schools make up one-half of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District. Yarmouth operates two elementary schools (Laurence C. MacArthur and Station Avenue) which serve students from pre-kindergarten through third grade, as well as the Marguerite E. Small School for grades 4 & 5, and the Mattacheese Middle School for grades 6 through 8. The town is the home to Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, where both towns send their students. Their team colors are green and white, and their mascot is the dolphin.

Yarmouth does not have any affiliation with any technical schools. Students may, however, choose to attend Saint Pius X School for grades pre-kindergarten through 8, or any of the other private schools in neighboring Barnstable.

Notable residents

• Timothy Alden, (1771-1839), born in Yarmouth, Congregational Church clergyman and founder of Allegheny College