Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Vineyard Haven is a community within the town
of Tisbury
on Martha's Vineyard
in Dukes County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. It is listed as a census-designated place
(CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a population of 2,048 as of the 2000 census
.
Known by the original Wampanoag inhabitants as Nobnocket, this area was first referred to by the colonial settlers as Homes Hole; "Homes" from a Wampanoag term for "old man," and "Hole" meaning a sheltered inlet. By the 19th century it was more commonly spelled Holmes Hole after the descendants of John Holmes (1730–1812) who had settled in the village during the second half of the 18th century. In 1871 the village officially changed its name to Vineyard Haven. Though the name Vineyard Haven technically refers only to one section of the town of Tisbury, the names are used interchangeably, with Vineyard Haven now being a commonly used title for the whole town.
Vineyard Haven is the main port of entry to Martha's Vineyard, and one of the three main population centers (with Edgartown
and Oak Bluffs
). The Steamship Authority wharf is located in Vineyard Haven, at which ferries arrive and depart year-round. (A second, seasonal wharf is located in neighboring Oak Bluffs.) Although the year-round population is only about 2,000 people, its population increases tremendously in the summer, as many houses on the Vineyard are owned by summer residents.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (20.89%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,048 people, 941 households, and 479 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 632.6/km² (1,635.9/mi²). There were 1,420 housing units at an average density of 438.6/km² (1,134.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.92% White, 3.22% African American, 1.86% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races
, and 4.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 941 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,318, and the median income for a family was $44,844. Males had a median income of $35,824 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $26,225. About 6.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
The most reliable source of public transportation from Vineyard Haven to the rest of the island is the Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority (VTA). Almost all of the buses stop at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority
bus terminal and it is the most used in the summer time and year round. The VTA is the only Island-wide public transportation system on Martha's Vineyard, which makes it the best choice for traveling around the Vineyard for tourists who do not have cars and do not want to pay for a taxi.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
of Tisbury
Tisbury, Massachusetts
Tisbury is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,755 at the 2000 census.Vineyard Haven is the main village/town center of Tisbury. The two names are used interchangeably...
on Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
in Dukes County
Dukes County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,987 people, 6,421 households, and 3,788 families residing in the county. The population density was 144 people per square mile . There were 14,836 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is listed as a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau, with a population of 2,048 as of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Known by the original Wampanoag inhabitants as Nobnocket, this area was first referred to by the colonial settlers as Homes Hole; "Homes" from a Wampanoag term for "old man," and "Hole" meaning a sheltered inlet. By the 19th century it was more commonly spelled Holmes Hole after the descendants of John Holmes (1730–1812) who had settled in the village during the second half of the 18th century. In 1871 the village officially changed its name to Vineyard Haven. Though the name Vineyard Haven technically refers only to one section of the town of Tisbury, the names are used interchangeably, with Vineyard Haven now being a commonly used title for the whole town.
Vineyard Haven is the main port of entry to Martha's Vineyard, and one of the three main population centers (with Edgartown
Edgartown, Massachusetts
Edgartown is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dukes County. Edgartown has the largest population and area in the entire Dukes County and Martha's Vineyard.- History :In 1642....
and Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs is a town located on Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,713 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 3,735 as of 2008...
). The Steamship Authority wharf is located in Vineyard Haven, at which ferries arrive and depart year-round. (A second, seasonal wharf is located in neighboring Oak Bluffs.) Although the year-round population is only about 2,000 people, its population increases tremendously in the summer, as many houses on the Vineyard are owned by summer residents.
Geography
Vineyard Haven is located at 41.456109°N 70.607176°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (20.89%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,048 people, 941 households, and 479 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 632.6/km² (1,635.9/mi²). There were 1,420 housing units at an average density of 438.6/km² (1,134.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.92% White, 3.22% African American, 1.86% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 941 households out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,318, and the median income for a family was $44,844. Males had a median income of $35,824 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $26,225. About 6.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Air Service is provided from Martha's Vineyard AirportMartha's Vineyard Airport
Martha's Vineyard Airport is a public airport located in the middle of the island of Martha's Vineyard, three miles south of the central business district of Vineyard Haven, in Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is owned by Dukes County and lies on the border between the...
The most reliable source of public transportation from Vineyard Haven to the rest of the island is the Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority (VTA). Almost all of the buses stop at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority
The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority
The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, referred to coloquially as The Steamship Authority or simply the SSA, is the statutory regulatory body for all ferry operations to and from the Islands from the Massachusetts mainland, as well as being an operator of ferry service...
bus terminal and it is the most used in the summer time and year round. The VTA is the only Island-wide public transportation system on Martha's Vineyard, which makes it the best choice for traveling around the Vineyard for tourists who do not have cars and do not want to pay for a taxi.