Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 2,554 | — |
| 1860 | 1,793 | −29.8% |
| 1870 | 1,776 | −0.9% |
| 1880 | 2,006 | +13.0% |
| 1890 | 2,106 | +5.0% |
| 1900 | 2,241 | +6.4% |
| 1910 | 2,798 | +24.9% |
| 1920 | 3,520 | +25.8% |
| 1930 | 5,398 | +53.4% |
| 1940 | 5,873 | +8.8% |
| 1950 | 8,566 | +45.9% |
| 1960 | 12,196 | +42.4% |
| 1970 | 18,088 | +48.3% |
| 1980 | 18,813 | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 17,655 | −6.2% |
| 2000 | 18,234 | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 18,165 | −0.4% |
Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 18,234 people, 6,987 households, and 5,261 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,248.6 people per square mile (868.1/km²). There were 7,143 housing units at an average density of 880.9 per square mile (340.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.22% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.
There were 6,987 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $51,770, and the median income for a family was $60,067. Males had a median income of $42,036 versus $29,851 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,420. About 3.2% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Read more about this topic: Somerset, Massachusetts