Dracut

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Dracut
Seal of Dracut
seal
Location in Massachusetts
Dracut (Massachusetts)
Dracut
Dracut
Basic data
Foundation : 1653
State : United States
State : Massachusetts
County : Middlesex County
Coordinates : 42 ° 40 ′  N , 71 ° 18 ′  W Coordinates: 42 ° 40 ′  N , 71 ° 18 ′  W
Time zone : Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 )
Residents : 28,562 (as of 2004)
Population density : 527.9 inhabitants per km 2
Area : 55.3 km 2  (approx. 21 mi 2 ) of
which 54.1 km 2  (approx. 21 mi 2 ) is land
Height : 48 m
Postal code : 01826
Area code : +1 978
FIPS : 25-17475
GNIS ID : 0618221
Website : www.dracut-ma.us

Dracut (pronounced "Dray-Kit") is a city in Middlesex County in the US state of Massachusetts .

history

The house of James Mitchell Varnum in an 1887 photograph

The town of Dracut is in the vicinity of the town of Lowell , on the northern border with New Hampshire. It was originally founded in 1653 as part of the Wamiset Praying Town , an area where evangelized Indians lived. The city's economy used to be just fishing, logging and milling. In the eighteenth century paper mills and cotton processors were added. This attracted Irish and French-Canadian immigrants. On February 26, 1701 the city of Dracut was recognized as a town. The proximity to the city of Lowell has made Dracut a city with a suburban character. But there are still many historical houses in Dracut, such as the Colburn / Cutter House from 1717. In addition, the house of General James Mitchell Varnum , built in 1773 , which is now a museum, is worth mentioning.

geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ​​55.3 km², of which 54.1 km² is land (97.85%). Dracut is located in the Merrimack Valley and is approximately 40-50 km northeast of the capital, Massachusetts, Boston . The southern border of the city is the Merrimack River , the city itself is divided by the Beaver Brook. To the south the city is bordered by the city of Lowell, to the west by Tyngsboro and to the east by the city of Methuen . Dracut borders the state of New Hampshire to the north , with the town of Pelham being the closest. The cities of Tewksbury and Andover also border the city, but are separated by the Merrimack River.

population

According to the 2000 census, 28,562 people lived together in 10,451 households. 7,733 families lived in the city. The population density was 527.6 per square kilometer. 95.13% of the population were white, 0.78% African-American, 0.09% Native American, 2.58% Asian, 0.03% Pacific, 0.43% other races, and 0 , 96% with two or more origins. Latinos or Hispanics were 1.55% of the population.

Of the 10,451 households, 35.9% had children under the age of 18, 58.3% were married couples, 11.6% were single women and 26% were singles. On average, 2.73 people lived in a household, while a family consisted of 3.19 people on average.

traffic

Dracut is near several major highways. The I-93 , I-495 and US Route 3 are the largest. Route 128 is also just 30 km south. Route 38, Route 110, and Route 113 drive right through town.

Significant people

sons and daughters of the town

Personalities related to the city