| Middlesex County is a
county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is the largest county
in Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,465,396.
Its county seats are Cambridge and Lowell. The county government was abolished
in 1997 but the county itself still survives as a legal venue and for other
administrative purposes. Law and government: Like an increasing number
of Massachusetts counties, Middlesex County exists today only as a historical
geographic region, and has no county government.
All former county functions were
assumed by state agencies in 1997. 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.
However, communities are now granted the right to form their own regional
compacts for sharing services.
Demographics. As of the census of
2000, there were 1,465,396 people, 561,220 households, and 360,864 families
residing in the county. The population density was 1,780/mi (687/km²).
There were 576,681 housing units at an average density of 270/km (700/mi).
The racial makeup of the county was
85.88% White, 3.36% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 6.26%
Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.07% from other races, and 2.24% from two
or more races. 4.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 561,220 households out
of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30%
were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with
no husband present, and 35.70% were non-families.
27.10% of all households were made
up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of
age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family
size was 3.11.
In the county the population was
spread out with 22.50% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 33.40%
from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age
or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were
93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household
in the county was $60,821, and the median income for a family was $74,194.
Males had a median income of $49,460 versus $36,288 for females.
The per capita income for the county
was $31,199. About 4.30% of families and 6.50% of the population were below
the poverty line, including 7.20% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those
age 65 or over.
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