Ayer, Massachusetts

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ayer, Massachusetts
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Massachusetts
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Middlesex
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1668
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1871
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
government_type = Open town meeting
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 24.8
area_total_sq_mi = 9.6
area_land_km2 = 23.4
area_land_sq_mi = 9.0
area_water_km2 = 1.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
population_as_of = 2007
settlement_type = Town
population_total = 7,369
population_density_km2 = 314.9
population_density_sq_mi = 818.8
elevation_m = 69
elevation_ft = 226
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 42 |latm = 33 |lats = 40 |latNS = N
longd = 71 |longm = 35 |longs = 25 |longEW = W
website = [http://www.ayer.ma.us/ www.ayer.ma.us]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 01432
area_code = 351 / 978
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 25-03005
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0618215
footnotes =

Ayer is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Originally part of Groton, it was incorporated in 1871 and became a major commercial railroad junction. The town was home to Fort Devens, an army camp established in the Civil War, until its closure in 1994. The population was 7,287 at the 2000 census.

For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Ayer, please see the articles on Ayer (CDP) and Fort Devens.

History

Ayer's history dates back to 1667, when the first mill in the agricultural community was built. The settlement sits on what the Nipmuc Indians called Nainacocius. A brook remains with that name. Originally part of Groton, the community was initially called Groton Junction or South Groton. The town of Ayer was incorporated in 1871, named in honor of Dr. James Cook Ayer, a prominent resident of Lowell who provided the funding for the recently restored Ayer Town Hall. The town's growth was influenced by a period of rapid development of railroad transportation. Though only 9.5 square miles in area, the town became a major junction for both east-west and north-south rail lines, and developed into an important commercial center oriented towards the rail industry.

During the American Civil War an army camp, Camp Stevens, was established here; that camp later became known as Camp Devens, and eventually as Fort Devens. The presence of thousands of military and civilian personnel on the base shifted Ayer's commercial development towards meeting their needs until Fort Devens was closed in 1994.

The town today is a reflection of its history. Within its relatively small area Ayer boasts numerous industries, a historical downtown unique to the region, and modern commuter rail service to Boston.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.8 km² (9.6 mi²). 23.4 km² (9.0 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (5.75%) is water.

Ayer borders the following towns: Shirley, Groton, Littleton, and Harvard.

Demographics

USCensusPop
title= Historical populations
1790=
1800=
1810=
1820=
1830=
1840=
1850=
1860=
1870=
1880=
1890=
1900= 2446
1910= 2797
1920= 3052
1930= 3060
1940= 3572
1950= 5740
1960= 14927
1970= 8325
1980= 6993
1990= 6871
2000= 7287
estimate=
estyear=
estref=
footnote=As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,287 people, 2,982 households, and 1,774 families residing in the town. The population density was 311.9/km² (808.1/mi²). There were 3,154 housing units at an average density of 135.0/km² (349.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.92% White, 5.70% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.90% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population.

There were 2,982 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 36.3% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,619, and the median income for a family was $61,968. Males had a median income of $44,092 versus $32,418 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,400. About 6.1% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government

As a New England town, Ayer is governed by town meeting and a five-member board of selectmen.

Education

*Page Hilltop Elementary
*Ayer Middle/High School
* The Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School on Fort Devens is within the Ayer section of Devens.

Transportation

Commuter rail service from Boston's North Station is provided by the MBTA with a stop in Ayer on its Fitchburg Line. [ [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=12 MBTA website] ."mbta.com". Accessed August 31 2007.]

Freight travels daily through Ayer over the tracks of the historic Stony Brook Railroad. The line currently serves as a major corridor of Pan Am Railway's District 3 which connects New Hampshire and Maine with western Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. [ [http://www.panamrailways.com/Maps/map.htm Pan Am Railways route map] ."panamrailways.com". Accessed August 31 2007.]

The Nashua River Rail Trail runs through the town.

Points of interest

Places on the National Register of Historic Places:
* Community Memorial Hospital - 15 Winthrop Ave.
* Fort Devens Historic District
* Ayer Main Street Historic District - Main St.
* Pleasant Street School - Pleasant St.

Notable residents

*The Rev. Angus Dun, vicar at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
*Robert Frazier, writer of speculative poetry and fiction.
*Mike Gillian, Longwood University head men's basketball coach.
*Jamie Morris, National Football League running back.
*Joe Morris, National Football League running back.

References

External links

* [http://www.ayer.ma.us/ Ayer official website]