Suffolk County is a county located in the state of Massachusetts. As of 2000, the population is 689,807. Its county seat is Boston⁶.

Law and government

Like an increasing number of Massachusetts counties, Suffolk County exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government. All former county functions were assumed by state agencies in 1999. The sheriff and some other regional officials with specific duties are still elected locally to perform duties within the county region, but there is no county council or commissioner. (Immediately prior to the abolition of county government, the authority of the Suffolk County Commission had for many years been exercised by the Boston City Council, even though three communities in the county are not part of the city.) However, communities are now granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services. See also: MassGov page on counties (http://lwvma.org/govcounty.shtml).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 311 km² (120 mi²). 152 km² (59 mi²) of it is land and 160 km² (62 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 51.32% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 689,807 people, 278,722 households, and 139,082 families residing in the county. The population density is 4,551/km² (11,788/mi²). There are 292,520 housing units at an average density of 1,930/km² (4,999/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 57.76% White, 22.24% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 7.00% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 8.17% from other races, and 4.38% from two or more races. 15.52% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 278,722 households out of which 23.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.30% are married couples living together, 16.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 50.10% are non-families. 36.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.34 and the average family size is 3.17.

In the county the population is spread out with 20.20% under the age of 18, 15.10% from 18 to 24, 35.50% from 25 to 44, 18.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $39,355, and the median income for a family is $44,361. Males have a median income of $37,174 versus $32,176 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,766. 19.00% of the population and 14.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.90% of those under the age of 18 and 17.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Boston
• Chelsea
• Revere
• Winthrop

External Link

• National Register of Historic Places listing for Suffolk Co., Massachusetts (http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/MA/Suffolk/districts.html)