# Dukes County, Massachusetts

Dukes County is a county in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. At the 2020 census, the population was 20,600, making it the second-least populous county in Massachusetts. Its county seat is Edgartown.
Dukes County comprises the Vineyard Haven, MA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county consists of 32 named islands, the largest of which is Martha's Vineyard. It also includes Chappaquiddick Island (sometimes peninsula of the Vineyard), the Elizabeth Islands, including Cuttyhunk, and Nomans Land.

## History

The original inhabitants of the islands were Wampanoag, who had several villages. Political jurisdiction over the lands were granted by the English monarchy in overlapping claims to two different British nobles, from which Massachusetts Bay Company settler Thomas Mayhew purchased them in 1641. Mayhew established a colony in his new domain, carefully purchasing land ownership rights from the native inhabitants, and maintaining native governments to continue unimpeded. In 1665, Mayhew's lands were included in a grant to James, Duke of York (later King James II). In 1671, a settlement was arranged, allowing Mayhew to continue to rule while placing his territory under the jurisdiction of the Province of New York.
Dukes County was thus established as Dukes County, New York, on November 1, 1683, and included all of Mayhew's lands – Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands. The county was transferred to Massachusetts on October 7, 1691, and at the same time Nantucket Island was split into the separate Nantucket County, Massachusetts. The 1695 incorporation statute created a county "by the name of Dukes County," as opposed to the standard form "the county of Dukes" which is the reason for the redundancy in the formal name, "County of Dukes County".

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 491 square miles (1,270 km$^2$), of which 103 square miles (270 km$^2$) is land and 388 square miles (1,000 km$^2$) (79%) is water. It is the third-smallest county by land area in Massachusetts.

### Named Islands

* Martha's Vineyard
** Chappaquiddick Island, Edgartown
** Skiff’s Island, south of Chappaquiddick
** Ferry Boat Island, Tisbury
** Wood Island, Oak Bluffs
** Brush Island, Oak Bluffs
** Gravel Island, Oak Bluffs
** Sarson Island, Oak Bluffs
** Haystack Island, Oak Bluffs
** Edy’s Island, Chilmark
** Mayhew Island, Chilmark
** Beach Grass Island, Chilmark
** Strawberry Island, Chilmark
** Gull Island, Chilmark
** Great Island, Chilmark
** Nomans Land, Chilmark
* Elizabeth Islands, Gosnold
** Naushon Island
** Nashawena Island
** Pasque Island
** Cuttyhunk Island
** Penikese Island
** Gull Island
** Barlet Island
** Rock Island
** Uncatena Island
** Nonamesset Island
** Veckatimest Island
** Monohansett Island
** Cedar Island
** Bull Island
** Pine Island
** Weepecket Islands

### Nearby counties

* Barnstable County – northeast
* Plymouth County – north
* Bristol County – northwest
* Nantucket County – east

### National protected area

* Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge

## Demographics
### 2020 census

Dukes County, Massachusetts – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | %2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 14,275 | 16,230 | 86.33% | 78.79% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 477 | 795 | 2.88% | 3.86% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 175 | 202 | 1.06% | 0.98% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 123 | 184 | 0.74% | 0.89% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 9 | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH)(NH) | 571 | 701 | 3.45% | 3.40% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 526 | 1,945 | 3.18% | 9.44% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 384 | 534 | 2.32% | 2.59% |
| Total | 16,535 | 20,600 | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 16,535 people, 7,368 households, and 4,221 families living in the county. The population density was 160.2 inhabitants per square mile (61.9/km$^2$). There were 17,188 housing units at an average density of 166.5 per square mile (64.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 87.6% white, 3.1% black or African American, 1.1% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.9% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population.
The largest ancestry groups were:
* 18.5% Irish
* 17.1% English
* 11.7% Portuguese
* 10.0% American
* 9.2% German
* 7.6% Italian
* 5.5% French
* 2.9% West Indian
* 2.9% Scottish
* 2.5% Dutch
* 2.3% Scotch-Irish
* 2.1% Swedish
* 2.1% Polish
* 1.9% French Canadian
* 1.4% Russian
* 1.1% Arab
* 1.0% Sub-Saharan African
Of the 7,368 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 42.7% were non-families, and 33.4% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 45.3 years.
The median household income was $62,407 and the median family income was $77,231. Males had a median income of $43,850 versus $41,994 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,390. About 5.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 14,987 people, 6,421 households, and 3,788 families living in the county. The population density was 144 inhabitants per square mile (56/km$^2$). There were 14,836 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile (55/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 90.69% White, 2.40% Black or African American, 1.71% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.4% were of English, 13.3% Irish, 8.6% Portuguese, 6.4% Italian and 5.7% American ancestry, 93.1% spoke English, 3.7% Portuguese and 1.7% Spanish as their first language and 0.285% speak Irish at home. Of the 6,421 households 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.40% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.00% were non-families. 32.00% of households were one person and 11.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 22.70% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 27.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median household income was $45,559 and the median family income was $55,018. Males had a median income of $38,945 versus $30,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,472. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 5.30% of those age 65 or over.

### Real estate

As of the fourth quarter 2021, the median value of homes in Dukes County was $883,820, an increase of 22.3% from the prior year.

### Demographic breakdown by town
#### Income

The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
| Rank | Town | | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income | Population | Number of households |
| 1 | Chilmark | Town | $45,210 | $59,583 | $79,688 | 801 | 302 |
| 2 | Edgartown | Town | $38,083 | $74,214 | $82,583 | 4,034 | 1,466 |
| 3 | West Tisbury | Town | $36,592 | $75,759 | $87,566 | 2,506 | 926 |
| | Massachusetts | State | $35,051 | $65,981 | $83,371 | 6,512,227 | 2,522,409 |
| | Dukes County | County | $33,228 | $69,760 | $82,659 | 16,353 | 5,568 |
| | Vineyard Haven | CDP | $30,298 | $77,935 | $92,112 | 2,465 | 652 |
| 4 | Gosnold | Town | $29,511 | $52,813 | $61,250 | 183 | 63 |
| 5 | Tisbury | Town | $29,384 | $54,762 | $60,521 | 3,914 | 1,290 |
| 6 | Oak Bluffs | Town | $29,117 | $78,890 | $84,846 | 4,449 | 1,429 |
| | United States | Country | $27,915 | $52,762 | $64,293 | 306,603,772 | 114,761,359 |
| 7 | Aquinnah | Town | $25,512 | $82,500 | $106,250 | 466 | 92 |

### Religion

| Year | 1980 | 1980 | 1990 | 1990 | 2000 | 2000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| Religion | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents | Congregations | Adherents |
| Catholic Church | 3 | 2,000 | 3 | 5,000 | 3 | 9,951 | 3 | 12,896 |
| Episcopal Church | 2 | 871 | 3 | 562 | 3 | 608 | 3 | 473 |
| United Methodist | 6 | 620 | 6 | 587 | 5 | 524 | 2 | 176 |
| American Baptist | 3 | 279 | 3 | 403 | 3 | 461 | 4 | 456 |
| Regular Baptist | 0 | n/a | 1 | 62 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 90 |
| United Church of Christ | 1 | 110 | 1 | 166 | 1 | 217 | 1 | 165 |
| Unitarian-Universalist | 1 | 83 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 83 | 1 | 74 |
| Assemblies of God | 1 | 5 | 1 | 69 | 2 | 174 | 1 | 160 |
| Friends (Quakers) | 1 | n/a | 1 | 22 | 1 | 52 | 1 | 9 |
| Church of Christ, Scientist | n/a | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Congregational | n/a | n/a | 1 | 300 | 1 | 295 | 1 | 331 |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Evangelical Christian | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 1 | 60 |
| Mormon | n/a | n/a | 1 | 27 | 1 | 49 | 1 | 84 |
| Buddhist | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 1 | 72 |
| Jewish | 1 | 138 | 1 | 260 | 1 | 300 | 1 | 923 |
| Ba'hai | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | n/a | 0 | 10,562 |

## Politics

United States presidential election results for Dukes County, Massachusetts :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 2,745 | 22.48% | 9,137 | 74.84% | 327 | 2.68% |
| 2020 | 2,631 | 20.56% | 9,914 | 77.47% | 253 | 1.98% |
| 2016 | 2,477 | 21.22% | 8,400 | 71.95% | 797 | 6.83% |
| 2012 | 2,792 | 25.46% | 7,978 | 72.74% | 198 | 1.81% |
| 2008 | 2,442 | 23.14% | 7,913 | 74.98% | 198 | 1.88% |
| 2004 | 2,602 | 26.03% | 7,265 | 72.67% | 130 | 1.30% |
| 2000 | 2,315 | 26.14% | 5,474 | 61.81% | 1,067 | 12.05% |
| 1996 | 1,739 | 22.58% | 5,137 | 66.70% | 826 | 10.72% |
| 1992 | 1,827 | 23.16% | 4,292 | 54.41% | 1,769 | 22.43% |
| 1988 | 2,441 | 34.75% | 4,495 | 63.99% | 89 | 1.27% |
| 1984 | 2,788 | 45.52% | 3,313 | 54.09% | 24 | 0.39% |
| 1980 | 1,809 | 33.52% | 2,370 | 43.91% | 1,218 | 22.57% |
| 1976 | 2,365 | 46.06% | 2,513 | 48.94% | 257 | 5.00% |
| 1972 | 2,312 | 53.32% | 2,001 | 46.15% | 23 | 0.53% |
| 1968 | 1,576 | 49.31% | 1,540 | 48.19% | 80 | 2.50% |
| 1964 | 1,015 | 31.58% | 2,187 | 68.05% | 12 | 0.37% |
| 1960 | 1,998 | 60.80% | 1,282 | 39.01% | 6 | 0.18% |
| 1956 | 2,618 | 82.85% | 541 | 17.12% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1952 | 2,432 | 76.05% | 760 | 23.76% | 6 | 0.19% |
| 1948 | 1,731 | 69.69% | 720 | 28.99% | 33 | 1.33% |
| 1944 | 1,372 | 61.41% | 861 | 38.54% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1940 | 1,643 | 61.54% | 1,014 | 37.98% | 13 | 0.49% |
| 1936 | 1,655 | 63.29% | 931 | 35.60% | 29 | 1.11% |
| 1932 | 1,330 | 68.80% | 583 | 30.16% | 20 | 1.03% |
| 1928 | 1,487 | 75.94% | 470 | 24.00% | 1 | 0.05% |
| 1924 | 1,182 | 86.91% | 108 | 7.94% | 70 | 5.15% |
| 1920 | 1,013 | 86.73% | 150 | 12.84% | 5 | 0.43% |
| 1916 | 464 | 58.96% | 309 | 39.26% | 14 | 1.78% |
| 1912 | 269 | 34.75% | 215 | 27.78% | 290 | 37.47% |
| 1908 | 589 | 76.79% | 133 | 17.34% | 45 | 5.87% |
| 1904 | 602 | 80.16% | 120 | 15.98% | 29 | 3.86% |
| 1900 | 617 | 79.10% | 114 | 14.62% | 49 | 6.28% |
| 1896 | 691 | 80.54% | 91 | 10.61% | 76 | 8.86% |
| 1892 | 588 | 66.52% | 238 | 26.92% | 58 | 6.56% |
| 1888 | 570 | 64.19% | 199 | 22.41% | 119 | 13.40% |
| 1884 | 568 | 67.70% | 202 | 24.08% | 69 | 8.22% |
| 1880 | 576 | 76.60% | 174 | 23.14% | 2 | 0.27% |
| 1876 | 399 | 72.81% | 149 | 27.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 556 | 82.74% | 116 | 17.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1868 | 436 | 80.15% | 108 | 19.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
As does the rest of the state of Massachusetts, Dukes County heavily supports the Democratic Party. The last Republican Party candidate to receive over 40% of the county's vote was Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the last Republican to win the county was Richard Nixon in 1972. Before 1964, however, the county was a stronghold of the Republicans, supporting Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 by an especially large margin, well over 50%, and was one of the few counties where William Howard Taft finished ahead of Woodrow Wilson in 1912. (See table).

### Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of February 2024 :
| | Unenrolled | 9,710 | 58.16% |
| | Democratic | 5,762 | 34.51% |
| | Republican | 1,117 | 6.69% |
| | Libertarian | 42 | 0.25% |
| | Other parties | 65 | 0.39% |
| Total | Total | 16,696 | 100% |

## Communities
### Towns

* Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head)
* Chilmark
* Edgartown (shire town or county seat)
* Gosnold
* Oak Bluffs
* Tisbury
* West Tisbury

### Census-designated places

* Edgartown
* Oak Bluffs
* Vineyard Haven

### Other villages

* Cuttyhunk
* Menemsha

## Education

School districts include:
K-12:
* Gosnold School District
Secondary:
* Martha's Vineyard School District
Elementary:
* Edgartown School District
* Oak Bluffs School District
* Tisbury School District
* Up-Island Regional School District