According to mcat-test-centers.com, Nantucket County, Massachusetts is a county located in the state of Massachusetts. It is comprised of the island of Nantucket and several smaller islands and is part of the Cape Cod region. The county seat is Nantucket Town, located on the main island. The county has an estimated population of 10,822 residents and covers an area of 48 square miles.
Nantucket County has a rich history which can be dated back to 1659 when it was established as a separate county from Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Since then, it has become known for its unique culture and way of life which includes traditional whaling and fishing industries combined with modern tourism.
The economy in Nantucket County relies heavily on tourism as well as fishing, retail sales, real estate transactions and other service-related industries. In 2018, the median household income in Nantucket County was $76,917 which is significantly higher than both the state median income ($75,297) and national median income ($57,652).
The largest city in Nantucket County is Nantucket Town with a population of 10,172 people according to the 2010 United States Census. This city serves as both the county seat and commercial hub for the islanders with its numerous shops and restaurants lining Main Street. Other notable towns include Siasconset (population 592), Madaket (population 463) and Wauwinet (population 127).
The climate in Nantucket County varies greatly between summer and winter months with average temperatures ranging from 26°F (-3°C) to 78°F (26°C). Summers are generally mild while winters can be quite cold due to strong winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean. The area receives an average annual rainfall of 45 inches (115 cm).
Nantucket County is served by two public school districts: Nauset Regional School District (which serves most of the island’s students) and Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools (which serves students living off-island). There are also several private schools located throughout the county including St Mary’s School in Siasconset plus two Catholic schools: Our Lady Star Of The Sea Academy in Madaket and St Jude’s Academy in Wauwinet.
In addition to public schools, there are also several higher education institutions located within or near Nantucket County such as Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable plus University Of Massachusetts Amherst’s satellite campus on Martha’s Vineyard which offers degree programs for students living on or near either island.
Nantucket County offers a unique combination of natural beauty along with rich culture and history making it an ideal place for visitors to explore year-round.
History of Nantucket County, Massachusetts
Nantucket County, Massachusetts has a long and diverse history. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years by various Native American tribes, including the Wampanoag and the Nauset. In 1602, English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold first visited the island and named it “Little Grey Lady of the Sea”. For over a century, Nantucket County remained largely untouched by European settlers until 1712 when Thomas Macy and his family moved to the island from Massachusetts.
Macy quickly established himself as a successful trader in whale oil and other commodities and was instrumental in building up the infrastructure of Nantucket County to include wharves, trading posts, churches, schools, stores, mills, and other businesses. By 1763 there were nearly 1,000 people living on Nantucket Island with many more inhabiting Martha’s Vineyard nearby.
Nantucket County’s economy thrived in the late 1700s due to its booming whaling industry which brought immense wealth to many of its residents. However, this prosperity came at a cost as hundreds of whales were killed each year for their oil which resulted in a population decline among these majestic creatures. By 1846 whaling had become obsolete due to technological advances and declining profits so many islanders turned their attention to fishing instead.
The Great Fire of 1846 destroyed much of downtown Nantucket Town though luckily no lives were lost during this tragedy. Afterward reconstruction efforts began almost immediately with brick buildings replacing many of those that had burned down as well as new streets being laid out throughout the town center.
In 1852 Nantucket County was officially incorporated into Massachusetts as part of Dukes County (which included Martha’s Vineyard) though it remained under separate jurisdiction until 1899 when it became its own county once again with its own government and taxes system. During this period tourism also began to take off on both islands with numerous hotels being built along with ferry services offering transportation between them both.
Today, Nantucket County is still primarily known for its tourism industry but also relies heavily on fishing, retail sales, real estate transactions and other service-related industries for economic stability. The area is home to some 10 thousand people who enjoy all that this special place has to offer including its rich culture & history plus pristine natural beauty which makes it an ideal destination for visitors year-round.
Major cities and towns in Nantucket County, Massachusetts
Nantucket County in Massachusetts consists of two islands, Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard, and is considered part of the state’s Cape Cod region. The county seat is Nantucket, a small but thriving town on Nantucket Island.
The largest town in Nantucket County is Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. It has a population of over 4500 people and is the economic hub of the island with its bustling waterfront, boutique shops, historic homes and galleries. The town also offers visitors plenty of recreational activities from fishing to whale watching.
Oak Bluffs is another popular destination located on Martha’s Vineyard that features a lively downtown area with colorful Victorian homes known as “gingerbread cottages” as well as a vibrant nightlife scene with restaurants and bars.
On Nantucket Island, the main town is Siasconset which has a year-round population of around 500 people but can swell up to several thousand during peak season due to its popularity among tourists. Here visitors can find picturesque beaches, quaint boutiques and eateries as well as stunning views from atop Sankaty Head Lighthouse.
The Town of Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard is home to over 3000 people and offers plenty for visitors including its historic harbor lined with shops and restaurants plus nearby attractions such as the Aquinnah Cliffs or State Beach Park where you can take in some breathtaking views of the ocean.
The Town of Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard has a population of around 800 people and is known for its rural charm with rolling hillsides filled with wildflowers in springtime plus many miles of hiking trails throughout its woodlands. It also boasts one of the most beautiful beaches on the island – Menemsha Beach – which provides stunning views out over Vineyard Sound towards Martha’s Vineyard Great Pond Reserve.
Finally, there’s Gay Head (also known as Aquinnah) located at the westernmost end of Martha’s Vineyard; it has been home to Native Americans since prehistoric times with evidence found in numerous archaeological sites here including burial mounds that date back thousands of years ago. Today, it remains an important cultural center for local Wampanoag tribespeople who have lived here for generations alongside around 400 full-time residents who call this place home year-round.
Postal codes in Nantucket County, Massachusetts
According to Countryaah, Nantucket County, Massachusetts is home to several distinct and vibrant towns. Each of these towns has its own unique character and attractions, including picturesque beaches, historic sites, and plenty of recreational activities. Every town in the county is assigned its own set of postal codes by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
The main town in Nantucket County is Siasconset, which has a post office assigned to it with the postal code 02564. The post office here serves as the central mail distribution point for the entire county. The neighboring town of Nantucket has two post offices with their own unique postal codes: 02554 for Mid-Island and 02584 for South-Island.
The towns of Madaket and Wauwinet are both assigned the same postal code: 02563. This is because they are considered part of the same zip code area by USPS. The other two towns in Nantucket County – Tuckernuck and Muskeget – both have their own separate postal codes: 02555 and 02556 respectively.
The village of Siasconset also has its own distinct zip code area that includes all addresses located within a certain radius from the village center, which has a postal code of 02664. The villages of Madaket and Wauwinet are also included in this zip code area with their respective postal codes being 02663 for Madaket and 02662 for Wauwinet.
Finally, there is an additional zip code area that encompasses all addresses located within a certain radius from downtown Nantucket which has a postal code of 02654. This includes not only Mid-Island but also South-Island as well as Tuckernuck and Muskeget villages with their respective postal codes being 02655 for Tuckernuck and 02656 for Muskeget.
There are nine distinct zip codes that encompass all areas within Nantucket County Massachusetts; each one having its own unique set of characteristics that contribute to making this unique coastal community such an amazing place to live or visit.