Danvers is a town located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 25,212. The present day town of Danvers was formerly named Salem Village, and is close to the city of Salem, Massachusetts.

Most of the early victims and accusers of the 1692 Salem witch trials lived in the then Salem Village (now named Danvers). While early depositions and interviews took place in Salem Village starting in February 1692, the actual trials and a majority of depositions and interviews were moved to the then Salem Town (now named Salem) in May 1692.

History

Danvers was first settled in 1636 and was officially incorporated in 1775.

Geography

Danvers is located at 42°34'11" North, 70°56'35" West (42.569756, -70.943222)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.5 km² (14.1 mi²). 34.4 km² (13.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.75% water.

The town is at the intersections of Interstate 95, US 1, and Route 128. It is roughly midway between Boston and New Hampshire, along the Atlantic Coast.

Access to the Atlantic is via the Danvers River, a tidal river that flows into Beverly Harbor.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 25,212 people, 9,555 households, and 6,564 families residing in the town. The population density is 733.0/km² (1,898.5/mi²). There are 9,762 housing units at an average density of 283.8/km² (735.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.72% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 9,555 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 3.11.

In the town the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $58,779, and the median income for a family is $70,565. Males have a median income of $48,058 versus $33,825 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,852. 2.9% of the population and 1.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.0% of those under the age of 18 and 4.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government

Danvers has a representative town meeting, with a town manager and five selectmen.

External links

• Town of Danvers (http://www.danvers-ma.org/)
• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=42.569756&longitude=-70.943222&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=42.569756&lon=-70.943222&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver (http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=-70.943222&lat=42.569756&w=750&h=500)