Becket, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- For other meanings of "Becket", see Becket (disambiguation)
Becket is a town located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,755.
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History
Becket was first settled in 1740 and was officially incorporated in 1765.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 123.7 km² (47.8 mi²). 119.8 km² (46.3 mi²) of it is land and 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.12% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 1,755 people, 692 households, and 505 families residing in the town. The population density is 14.6/km² (37.9/mi²). There are 1,451 housing units at an average density of 12.1/km² (31.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.44% White, 0.68% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 692 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% are married couples living together, 6.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% are non-families. 22.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $46,806, and the median income for a family is $53,417. Males have a median income of $40,774 versus $30,300 for females. The per capita income for the town is $21,861. 4.5% of the population and 3.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Summer Camps
The population of Becket increases significantly in the summer, as it is home to several large summer camps. Among these are the all-boys Camp Greylock, the co-ed Camp Watitoh, and Camp Becket and Camp Chimney Corners run by the YMCA.
Points of interest
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
