Lynn, Massachusetts

Lynn is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,050.

Historically, this city was populated largely by blue-collar workers and had a reputation for attracting unsavory characters, inspiring the infamous ditty:

Lynn, Lynn, city of sin. You never come out the way you went in.

In a 1997 effort to escape association with this couplet, city solicitor Michael Barry proposed to rename the city "Ocean Park", but this initiative was withdrawn after receiving widespread ridicule (opponents came up with a new rhyme, "Ocean Park, Ocean Park, you'd better get out before it gets dark").

Lynn is also called the city of firsts as it was the home to many great firsts, such as:

• First American jet engine

Also it is home to many famous and not-so-famous companies such as,

• General Electric
• West Lynn Creamery (bought by Garelick Farms, another local company. Products are sold under the Garelick name now)
• Durkee-Mower (makers of Marshmallow Fluff)

Table of contents

1 Geography 2 Transit 3 Demographics

Geography

Lynn is located at 42°28'26" North, 70°57'20" West (42.473996, -70.955583)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.9 km² (13.5 mi²). 28.0 km² (10.8 mi²) of it is land and 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 19.87% water.

Transit

Lynn is served by MBTA commuter rail and buses that connect it with Boston and nearby communities. There are ongoing studies on the feasibility of extending the Blue Line subway to the city.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 89,050 people, 33,511 households, and 21,044 families residing in the city. The population density is 3,177.7/km² (8,233.7/mi²). There are 34,637 housing units at an average density of 1,236.0/km² (3,202.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 67.89% White, 10.55% African American, 0.37% Native American, 6.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 9.82% from other races, and 4.85% from two or more races. 18.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 33,511 households out of which 32.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% are married couples living together, 17.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.2% are non-families. 31.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.62 and the average family size is 3.31.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,364, and the median income for a family is $45,295. Males have a median income of $34,284 versus $27,871 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,492. 16.5% of the population and 13.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 22.9% are under the age of 18 and 14.6% are 65 or older.