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Raynham, Massachusetts
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Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.
area which would become Raynham was settled in 1639 as a part of Taunton. In 1652, iron was found along the Two Mile (Forge) River, and the town claims to be the site of one of the first iron works in America, and the last of those early iron works to officially close (in 1872). The eastern end of Taunton, was separated from Taunton and was incorporated as Raynham (named for the English town of Rainham) in 1731.
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Encyclopedia
Raynham is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,739 at the 2000 census. It has one village, Raynham Center.
History
The area which would become Raynham was settled in 1639 as a part of Taunton. In 1652, iron was found along the Two Mile (Forge) River, and the town claims to be the site of one of the first iron works in America, and the last of those early iron works to officially close (in 1872). The eastern end of Taunton, was separated from Taunton and was incorporated as Raynham (named for the English town of Rainham) in 1731. Many ships' hulls were built along the Taunton River in Raynham, which were sailed down the river towards Fall River and Narragansett Bay for final fittings. The town also had other small manufacturing industries, but for the most part it was, and still is, known for its rural and agrarian base.
Transportation
The intersection of Interstate 495 and Route 24, a four-lane divided highway, is located at the town's border with Bridgewater. Additionally, U.S. Route 44, Route 104 and Route 138 pass through the town. Route 24 has one exit which gives access to the town, Exit 13 (Route 44), and there is also a Raynham exit on Interstate 495, Exit 8 (Route 138).
Raynham is one of the towns covered by the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) bus service. The Middleborough-Lakeville line of the MBTA's commuter rail's nearest stop is in neighboring Bridgewater. The nearest local airport is in Taunton; the nearest national and international airport is Logan International Airport in Boston, 40 miles north of town.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,739 people, 4,143 households, and 3,231 families residing in the town. The population density was 572.7 people per square mile (221.1/kmē). There were 4,209 housing units at an average density of 205.3/sq mi (79.3/kmē). The racial makeup of the town was 96.54% White, 1.04% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.
There were 4,143 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $60,449, and the median income for a family was $68,354. Males had a median income of $46,954 versus $31,760 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,476. About 3.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The town is part of the Eighth Plymouth state representative district, which includes Bridgewater and part of Easton. It is also part of the First Plymouth and Bristol state senate district, which includes Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Dighton, Marion, Middleborough, Taunton and Wareham. Raynham is patrolled by Troop D (Southeast District), 4th Barracks (located in Middleborough) of the Massachusetts State Police. On the national level, the town is part of Massachusetts Congressional District 4, which is represented by Barney Frank. The state's senior (Class I) Senator, re-elected 2006, is Edward M. Kennedy, and the state's junior (Class II) Senator, up for re-election in 2008, is John F. Kerry.
Raynham is governed by an open town meeting and elects a board of selectmen, which directs a full-time town administrator. Joseph Pacheco, Chairman/ April 2010, Donald L. McKinnon/ April 2009, and Marie A. Smith/April 2011 are the three town elected selectmen. The Town Administrator is Randall Buckner. The three members of the board of selectmen are elected at large on a staggered schedule. Basic services are centered around the town hall located at Raynham Center, including the police station and fire department. There are two post offices, located near Raynham Center and along Route 138 near North Raynham. The town also operates the Borden Colony Recreation Area, and there is a small State Forest in the town.
Education
Raynham belongs to the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District. There are three schools in Raynham: L.B. Merrill Elementary School (housing Pre-Kindergarten through 1st Grade), LaLiberte Elementary School (housing 2nd through 4th grade), and Raynham Middle School, housing 5th through 8th grades. Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, located in Bridgewater, houses 9th through 12th grades. The high school athletics teams are nicknamed the Trojans, and the primary colors are red and white, with blue trim. The BR School District Chairman is Gordon Luciano and the school board has eight people on it. High school students may also attend Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, located in Taunton, or Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton. The town has one private school, Northbrook Academy, which houses grades 6-9. Students may also select to attend private and parochial schools in the neighboring towns.
Recreation
Raynham is the site of the Frostbite 15K, a 9.3 mile run held every January since 2001. The race draws over 400 runners and concludes with a New England style brunch.
Raynham - Taunton Greyhound Park is located in Raynham and holds the world record for largest annual handle.
Religion
Raynham is host to several organizations of various religious denomination. Among the largest is St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church . First Baptist Church on Church Street is home to the Raynham Food Basket. Agape Chapel is a contemporary evangelical church with a large youth group . Other churches include the Lutheran Church of the Way , First Congregational Church (Stone Church), and Father's House Family Church . Raynham also hosts a Thai Buddhist temple, Wat Nawamintararachutis . The town is serviced by two Christian radio stations, WEZE 590 AM (Boston) and Positive & Encouraging K-Love 91.1 FM (WTKL New Bedford).
See also
External links
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