This article is about Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA; there are other places called Gloucester
Gloucester is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 30,273. A popular summer resort, Gloucester includes the villages of Bass Rocks, Bay View, Lanesville, Magnolia, Riverdale and West Gloucester.
Gloucester is located at 42°37'26" North, 70°40'32" West (42.624015, -70.675521).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 107.5 km2 (41.5 mi2). 67.2 km2 (26.0 mi2) of it is land and 40.2 km2 (15.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 37.42% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 30,273 people, 12,592 households, and 7,895 families residing in the city. The population density is 450.2/km2 (1,166.0/mi2). There are 13,958 housing units at an average density of 207.6/km2 (537.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.99% White, 0.72% Asian, 0.61% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,592 households out of which 27.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% are non-families. 30.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.38 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,722, and the median income for a family is $58,459. Males have a median income of $41,465 versus $30,566 for females. The per capita income for the city is $25,595. 8.8% of the population and 7.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 11.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Gloucester was settled in 1623, the first settlement on Cape Ann. It was incorporated in 1642, at which time the name "Gloucester" first appears, although in various spellings. The town was an important shipbuilding center, and the first schooner was apparently been built in 1713. It originally included Rockport, which until 1840 was its "Fifth Parish," known as "Sandy Bay." In 1873, Gloucester was incorporated as a city.
The community developed into an important fishing port, largely due to its proximity to Georges Bank and other fishing banks off the east coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Gloucester's most famous (and nationally recognized) seafood business was founded in 1849 -- John Pew & Sons. It became Gorton-Pew Fisheries in 1906, and in 1957 changed its name to Gorton's of Gloucester. The iconic image of the "Gorton's Fisherman", and the products he represents, are known throughout the country and beyond. Besides catching and processing seafood, Gloucester is also a center for fish research.
In October 1991, a rare combination of meteorological factors created a so-called "storm of the century" in the North Atlantic ocean off the eastern seaboard. The crew of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat out of Gloucester, attempted to sail home through the tempest. Their ordeal is featured in Sebastian Junger's 1997 book, The Perfect Storm. The city was used as a setting for the 2000 movie adaptation of the book. Perhaps the most famous story based in Gloucester is Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling, written in 1897, and made into a movie starring Spencer Tracy in 1937.
Gloucester's scenic beauty has inspired artists since the early 19th century, as it does today. Perhaps the first painter of note was native-born Fitz Hugh Lane, whose home still exists on the waterfront, and whose works hang at the Gloucester Historical Association, as well as at museums in Boston and New York. Others attracted here include William Morris Hunt, Winslow Homer, Childe Hassam, John Twachtman, John Sloan, Maurice Prendergast, Edward Hopper, Stuart Davis and Marsden Hartley. Smith Cove is home to the Rocky Neck Art Colony, the oldest art colony in the country.
On November 7th, 2005, incumbent Mayor John Bell was re-elected to a third term in office.
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Gloucester, MA
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