Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.1 km² (15.5 mi²). 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is land and 36.9 km² (14.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 91.99% water. It is built on an island in Massachusetts Bay and connected to the city of Lynn by a causeway.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 3,632 people, 1,629 households, and 970 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,130.9/km² (2,918.7/mi²). There are 1,704 housing units at an average density of 530.6 persons/km² (1,369.3 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.11% White, 0.39% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,629 households out of which 22.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% are married couples living together, 7.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 40.4% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the town the population is spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every 100 females there are 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $64,052, and the median income for a family is $76,926. Males have a median income of $52,045 versus $46,522 for females. The per capita income for the town is $41,807. 2.6% of the population and 1.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.7% are under the age of 18 and 2.0% are 65 or older.