ZIP Code 02539

Edgartown is a tourist destination on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. It was once a major whaling port, with historic houses that have been carefully preserved. Today it hosts yachting events around its large harbour. It includes the smaller island of Chappaquiddick, where Ted Kennedy's fatal automobile accident took place in 1969. Edgartown was used as the main shooting location for the town of Amity in Steven Spielberg's 1975 blockbuster Jaws. The town's population was 5,168 at the 2020 census. It is a part of Massachusetts's 9th congressional district, represented in the Massachusetts Senate as a portion of the Cape and Islands district. In 1642, Rev. Thomas Mayhew, Jr. led a group of families to start a colony on the Island after its purchase by his father Thomas Mayhews. Originally called Great Harbor, it was incorporated on July 8, 1671, as Edgar Towne, named for Edgar, whose father James II of England, was heir presumptive to the English throne. Those who chose the name to honor the monarchy did not know Edgar had died at the age of three on June 8,1671. In the 1800s, ships from all over the world would dock in its sheltered bay and captains would build grand mansions for their families with ornate top floor rooms called widow's walks, which overlooked the harbor. A myth developed that wives would watch for months from these tiny rooms, hoping to see the sails of ships that would bring their husbands home.

History

Edgartown was one of the two original towns on Martha's Vineyard, along with Tisbury, incorporated at the same time. It was named for Edgar Towne, whose father James II of England, was heir presumptive to the English throne. Today the town is more known for tourism, as well as the site of Chappaquiddick, where Ted Kennedy's fatal automobile accident took place in 1969. In 1642, Rev. Thomas Mayhew, Jr. began his work which led to his becoming the first church planting Protestant missionary after he settled in Edgartown. A Wampanoag Indian named Hiacoomes who lived nearby became his partner in founding the churches in the Indian communities. In the 1800s, the town was a major port for the whaling industry. By the beginning of the 20th century, its influence on the tiny town which had made its fortunes through the industry, was ended. The town is now a popular destination for tourists, especially those looking for a break from the heat of the summer. It is one of only a handful of towns in the U.S. that is still named after a Native American tribe, the Hiccupas. The Hiaccoas live on the island in a community known as the Hiackoas, which was once the seat of the Haccoas tribe, which is now part of the town of Wiscasset, Massachusetts. It has a population of about 2,000.

Tourism

Edgartown was used as the main shooting location for the town of Amity in Steven Spielberg's 1975 blockbuster Jaws. Many landmarks and buildings in Edgartown that were filmed in the movie can still be seen today. South Beach is a small part of the ocean beach that runs the entire southern length of the island. The harbor is large and entered through a modest sized channel on the North side of EdgartOWN. It opens into Katama Bay, created by a barrier beach that sometimes connects the south end of Chappaquiddick to the remainder of the town. The town has also encouraged renovation of historical structures such as the Whaling Church, a large 18th-century church, which has been converted to a performing arts center. The growth of the population over the past 25 years has led to a period of intense renewal of these old houses. Much of the beach is open to the public with ample parking available. The section near Katama is often crowded, while the sections further to the west (near Edgartow Great Pond and Oyster Pond) are often less so. The opening of the harbor will accommodate large sailing and motorized boats, but will not accommodate large ships or yachts which may anchor outside the harbor. It can be reached by driving or riding the bus south from Edgartrow center for approximately 2.5 miles. It is a major destination for tourists and is a big draw for summer visitors. The city is home to a number of sailing and sailing clubs, including the Martha's Vineyard sailing club.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 122.7 square miles (318 km²) Edgartown is ranked 103rd out of 351 communities in the Commonwealth by land area. The town includes the smaller island of Chappaquiddick, sometimes connected to the rest of Martha'a Vineyard only by a barrier beach which can be breached during storms. There are nine beaches, a yacht club, and several preserves and reservations in the town, including the Wasque Reservation and the Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge along the east shore of the island. EdgartOWN is also home to half of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, which extends into neighboring West Tisbury. The city is located at the eastern end of Martha's Vineyard (referred to as "down-island" in that as a ship travels east, it is said to be traveling "down east" as longitude decreases towards the Prime Meridian). The town is close to Nantucket's Muskeget Island, which is seven miles east of Wasque Point, the southeasternmost point of Chappaquidick. There is also a beach in Katama Bay, which has within its boundaries the Katama Airpark, the Katamas Farm, the Herring Creek Farm, and two resorts. The Town is home to two lighthouses, the Cape. Pogue Light on Chappa quiddick and the Edgart Down Harbor Light in Edgarttown Harbor.

Climate

Edgartown has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) according to most recent temperature averages. Winters are mild with occasional snow and summers are hot and humid. The warmest night on record is 76 °F (24 °C) in August 2010. Edgartown is among the most northerly locations with a semi-tropical climate in North America. The mean for the coldest day is at 20°F (7°C) and the daytime maximum fell to 7°C in December 1980. Even with 40 °F average January highs and the mild water temperatures, ice days were recorded every year at the station in its first 75 years operating. The annual average is 72 °F   (22 °C). When wind conditions come from the cold interior during winter, EdgartOWN can experience heavy cold snaps in spite of its offshore position and low latitude. Diurnal temperature variation is lower than on the mainland. The average temperature for the summer is 72°F (22°C). The average annual average for the winter months is 20°C (8°F) (the average winter high is 17°C, the average winter low is 16°C), the average annual high for the spring months is 18°C (the average summer low is 14 °C), and the average monthly high is 18 °C (the summer average high is 19 °C,  the summer average low is 17 °C.

Transportation

Edgartown is home to two ferries, the "On Time II" and "On time III" The Pied Piper ferry runs seasonally between the town and Falmouth, on Cape Cod. Martha's Vineyard Airport is used for commercial commuter flights from nearby sites on the mainland and Nantucket. Katama Airpark is a grass field and located between Katama Bay and Edgartown Great Pond in the southern part of town; it serves smaller private aircraft. There are two airports in the town, one in the state forest and the other in the city's downtown area. The town is located on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which runs from New Hampshire to Rhode Island. It is also on the New England Coast, and the turnpike runs from Rhode Island to Massachusetts. It also runs from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, and from New England to New York City, and vice versa. The turnpikes stop at the town's airport, which is located in the center of the town. The airport is open to commercial flights from mainland U.S. airports and other airports on the East Coast, including Boston and New York. It has a small private airfield, which serves small private aircraft, as well as small private planes from the town itself. The ferry "OnTime" was built in 1948 and given its name because the ferry has never had scheduled runs and thus is never late. In fact, the ferry was given this name because a new owner, Foster B. Silva of Chappaquiddick, had less than two weeks to build it.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,779 people, 1,582 households, and 957 families residing in the town. Over the last 20 years there has been a continuous growth in the population of the island. The summer season, which previously lasted from mid-June through Labor Day weekend has been gradually extended and now includes the period from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. In 2003 the Vineyard Gazette estimated that there were 15,000 year-round inhabitants of the Island with a summer increase to 105,000. In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median income for a household was $50,407, and the median incomes for a family was $55,153. The per capita income for the town was $25,740. About 2.7% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 1.3%) of those age 65 or over. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was2.92. The population density was 140.0 people per square mile (54.1/km²). There were 4,360 housing units at an average density of 161.5 per squaremile (62.4/ km²).

Government

Edgartown is governed on the local level by the open town meeting form of government and is led by a Town Administrator and a board of selectmen. All of Dukes County is patrolled by the Fifth (Oak Bluffs) Barracks of Troop D of the Massachusetts State Police. The town has its own police and fire departments, both located just west of the historic center of town. The current police chief is Bruce McNamee. Edgartown has one post office, located further west and south of the wildlife preserve at Sengekontacket Pond. It is also the site of the Duke's County Courthouse, the only courthouse on the island. It also has a Free Public Library, which is located in the center of the town. On the national level, the town is a part of Massachusetts's 9th congressional district, and is currently represented by William R. Keating. The state's junior (Class II) member of the U.S. Senate is Ed Markey, and the senior (Class I) Senator is Elizabeth Warren. It has one fire department, located just outside the historic central part of town, and one police department, both of which are located near the historic city center. The city has one public library, located in town's historic center, as well as a free public library. It was founded in 1838. It's the only town on the Island to have its own post office. It opened in 1841.

Education

Edgartown is part of the Martha's Vineyard Regional School District along with Aquinnah, Chilmark, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury. Edgartown Elementary School, from grades K8 to High School students. The MVRHS's teams are nicknamed the Vineyarders, and their colors are violet and white. The school has a longstanding rivalry with Nantucket High School, with both competing for the Island Cup on an annual basis. The school's mascot is the "Vineyarder" and the school colors are purple and white, as well as the school mascot, "The Vineyarder," which means "violet" or "white" The school is located on the island of Martha's Vines, which is home to the popular surfing destination of Vineyard Haven. The town has a population of about 2,000 people, with the majority of residents living in the town of about 1,000 homes. It is located in the central section of the island, between the towns of Tisbury and Oak Bluff. The area is also known as the "Island of the Sea" due to its location on the East Coast of the U.S. East Coast. It was the site of the first recorded human settlement in the 17th century, when the first European settlers arrived in the area in the 16th century. It has been home to many historic sites, including the Dukes of Dukes, Dukes and Vineyard Islands.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Edgartown, Dukes County, Massachusetts = 20.4. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 40. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 100. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Edgartown = 3.7 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 3,404 individuals with a median age of 43.6 age the population grows by 4.29% in Edgartown, Dukes County, Massachusetts population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 191.4 residents per square mile of area (73.9/km²). There are average 2.36 people per household in the 1,639 households with an average household income of $60,174 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 6.00% of the available work force and has growths 12.86% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 59.72%. The number of physicians in Edgartown per 100,000 population = 233.9.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Edgartown = 45.6 inches and the annual snowfall = 21 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 124. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 201. 79 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 22 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 57, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Edgartown, Dukes County, Massachusetts which are owned by the occupant = 25.29%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 25 years with median home cost = $622,020 and home appreciation of 0.28%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $5.67 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $9,350 per student. There are 9 students for each teacher in the school, 347 students for each Librarian and 185 students for each Counselor. 6.69% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 25.48% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 9.88% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).