In 1755, as many as fifty enslaved African and Native American people lived in present-day Newburyport. The abolitionist movement reached a peak with the activities of William Lloyd Garrison, who was born in Newburyport and helped develop an anti-slavery climate. The population was 17,416 at the 2010 census. There is also an antique car parade. Among the authors who regularly visit are Andre Dubus III, Tess Gerritsen and Rhina Espaillat. First held in 1958, Newburyport's "Yankee Homecoming" is the second-oldest homecoming festival in the United States. Fanny Louise Walton. There is also a 45-minute fireworks show on Saturday night, which is followed the concluding Sunday by the famous Yankee Homecoming parade. Many feature widow's walks, structures on the roof where the residents could watch for the return of sailing vessels. Plum Island consists of its own history as well. It lasts one week. The US Census estimates the 2018 population at 18,202. The vintage year (e.g., V2019) refers to the final year of the series (2010 thru 2019). 1857: Mechanic Library Association incorporated. The new town was the smallest in Massachusetts, covering an area of 647 acres (2.62 km2), and had a population of 2,800 living in 357 homes. At the last moment, however, the city changed its mind and signed a federal grant that allowed it to keep most of its historic architecture. Newburyport prior to the Civil War had always been divided over slavery. Caldwell's Old Newburyport rum was manufactured locally until well into the 19th century. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Newburyport was: There are 14,441 adults, (3,681 of whom are seniors) in Newburyport. High Street is a remarkable street of fine old Federal-style houses, linking the Atkinson Common (1893–1894) with the Bartlett Mall, site of the Charles Bulfinch-designed Essex County Superior Courthouse (1805). The American gazetteer : exhibiting a full account of the civil divisions, rivers, harbours, Indian tribes, &c. of the American continent, also of the West India and other appendant islands : with a particular description of Louisiana. Among those working part-time, it was 8.42%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 10.97%. The city's historical highlights include: The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank on State Street was founded in 1854, and is one of the oldest banks in the United States still in operation.[16]. City of Newburyport, 60 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 (978) 465-4413 City Hall Hours: Monday - Wednesday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Thursday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Website Disclaimer Government Websites by CivicPlus ® The Newburyport Turnpike (U.S. Route 1) still traverses Newburyport on its way north. Colonial residences extend up the bank from Merrimac Street to High Street running parallel to it near the top of the ridge. Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2019, (V2019) 5.0%. This was held Friday evenings in Waterfront Park in downtown Newburyport, these free concerts were intended for all ages. The Atlantic slave trade supported much of Newburyport's early growth and prosperity, with ships built in Newburyport and sold by Newburyport merchants used in the transportation of enslaved people from Africa, and Newburyport rum distilleries being a major destination of resources extracted by slave labor in the Caribbean. Newburyport Linnean Society and Newburyport Steam Cotton Co. incorporated. Newburyport is currently growing at a rate of 0.76% annually and its population has increased by 6.11% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,416 in 2010. Today, the city gives little hint of its former maritime importance. Some estimates presented here come from sample data, and thus have sampling errors that may render some apparent differences between geographies statistically indistinguishable. They were connected by Merrimac Street, which ends upriver where the bank merges into bluffs covered with pine forest. The revival that followed his labors, brought into existence Old South Church, where he was buried after his death in 1770. Newburyport is located at 42°48′45″N 70°52′39″W / 42.81250°N 70.87750°W / 42.81250; -70.87750 (42.812391, −70.877440). Others are listed on the central monument in Atkinson Common. Consequently, by 1970 Newburyport's historic downtown section was scheduled to be razed prior to reconstruction with federal money.