Fairhaven, MA

Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Introduction to Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Fairhaven, Massachusetts, in Bristol county, is 1 miles E of New Bedford, Massachusetts and 50 miles S of Boston, Massachusetts. The town is part of the New Bedford metropolitan statistical area. About 16,159 people live in Fairhaven.

Fairhaven History

In 1670, when the first settlers arrived at the easternmost part of the Dartmouth town, it was known by the name of "Acushnea". The land which originally belonged to an Indian chief and his son was later purchased by English settlers. In 1787, the city of New Bedford, which included the towns of Fairhaven and Acushnet, separated from Dartmouth. The city of Fairhaven was officially incorporated in the year 1812 and, in 1860, a part of this land was officially separated to form Acushnet. Fairhaven is the site of the Fort Phoenix State Reservation, which was used by American troops both during the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

Fairhaven and nearby Attractions

• West Island Marshes
• Duff Gallery
• New Bedford Whaling Museum
• Butler Flats Lighthouse
• WaterFire
• Old Silver Beach

Things To Do In Fairhaven

The city of Fairhaven has a number of historically and culturally important sites that one can visit to learn more about the town of Fairhaven. These include the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District, the Butler Flats Lighthouse, the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Duff Gallery. A little further south are a couple of stunning beaches, the Craigville Beach and the Old Silver Beach. These beaches offer all kinds of provisions for water and beach sports. Visitors can also rent bikes to take a trip down The Shining Sea Bike Path right up to the waters of the Vineyard Sound. The WaterFire, an award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans that is installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence, is another interesting tourist destination.

Fairhaven Transportation

Boston Logan International is the closest major airport to the area.

Fairhaven Higher Education

University Of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is the local university.

Comparative Profile of Fairhaven, MA

Comparing Fairhaven to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Massachusetts (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Age of the Population
Senior Citizens
Female Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
Male Share of the Population
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Fairhaven Almanac

Fairhaven Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Fairhaven Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Nearby Cities and Towns

Fairhaven Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Wal-Mart in Fairhaven

Fairhaven High Schools (2004)

FAIRHAVEN HIGH
12 HUTTLESTON AVENUE
508-979-4052
Serves 678 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 14

Fairhaven Colleges

(List of All Massachusetts Colleges)

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