Losing Ground 2020: Statistics
Town of Acushnet
Sixth Edition
Published February 2020, Losing Ground: Nature's Value In A Changing Climate reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2017.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2012 and 2017. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017 (acres)
86
101
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
4.6
63
Total area of development (acres)
2,718
154
Total area of natural land (acres)
7,449
198
Total area of open land (acres)
1,713
92
Percent developed land
22 %
167
Percent natural land
61 %
211
Percent open land
14 %
44
Size of town in acres
12,073
201
Size of town in square miles
18.9
201
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, Green Infrastructure Network, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of permanently conserved land (acres)
1,243
274
Overall percent permanently conserved
10 %
294
Total area of newly conserved land from 2012 to 2019 (acres)
152
271
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 Core Habitat (acres)
38
218
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 CNL (acres)
97
174
Total area of newly conserved TNC resilient land (acres)
1
310
Total area of newly conserved GIN (acres)
152
271
Size of town in acres
12,073
201
Size of town in square miles
18.9
201
Fifth Edition
Released in June 2014, Losing Ground: Planning for Resilience reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2005 and 2013.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2005 and 2013. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of new development (acres)
62
144
Total area of newly developed land from 2005 to 2013, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
3.3
130
Natural land converted to development (acres)
28
161
Open land converted to development (acres)
34
108
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Area protected 2005 - 2013 (acres)
199
150
Percent BioMap2 Core Habitat protected
23 %
269
Percent BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape protected
15 %
288
Percent TNC resilient land protected
9 %
319
Fourth Edition
Released in May 2009, Losing Ground: Beyond the Footprint reports on the patterns of development and their impact on the Nature of Massachusetts, 1999 - 2005.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 1999 and 2005. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Natural land (acres) converted to development (1999-2005)
213
63
Total area of newly developed land from 1999 to 2005, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
11.3
26
Acres protected for this area is shown below.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Acres protected (1999-2005)
248
118