Martha's Vineyard FAQ's

How did Martha’s Vineyard get its name?

For thousands of years, the Wampanoag Native American tribe lived on the island, which they referred to as Noepe. Martha’s Vineyard came to be in 1602, when the English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, landed on the island. Gosnold named the island after his daughter, Martha, and the abundance of wild grapes he found growing on the island, which reminded him of a vineyard. While the the grapes that grow here are really only good for Jams and Jellies, and no-one has successfully produced wine on Martha's Vineyard, one vineyard did produce pretty good vinegar as one time.

What Movies Were Filmed on Martha’s Vineyard?

According to the Independent Movie Data Base, 96 movies have been filmed on Martha’s Vineyard. Arguably, the most iconic of those films is the 1975 blockbuster Jaws. While the movie was set in Long Island, New York, the island town of Edgartown was the primary set for Jaws. 

The American Legion Memorial Bridge which connects Edgartown to Oak Bluffs is unofficially known as “Jaws Bridge”, where the scene was filmed of a shark attacking a boater. Despite “no jumping” signs, this has proven to be a popular destination for visitors to Martha’s Vineyard to jump into the water.

2025 will be a big year for Jaws fans, as the island will host the 50th anniversary of the movie!

How many towns are there on Martha's Vineyard?

Martha’s Vineyard consists of 6 towns, Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (also known as Vineyard Haven), and West Tisbury. While deceptively describing the western part of the island, “Up-Island” refers to the towns of West Tisbury, Chilmark, Menemsha, and Aquinnah, while “Down-Island” includes Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury.  See our guide to the various towns here.

What celebrities live on Martha's Vineyard?

It’s not uncommon for visitors to Martha’s Vineyard to spot a celebrity or two while on vacation. There are several well known personalities that have homes on Martha’s Vineyard, and the appeal to living here is their anonymity and lack of paparazzi attention. Celebrities who live here like to blend in where possible, so don't be surprised if you see someone who looks vaguely familiar, but who is gong about their normal business like you or I. 

Where do the Obamas live on Martha's Vineyard?

The Obamas purchased a home on the perimeter of Edgartown in 2019 for a recorded price of $11.75 million dollars. The home features seven bedrooms, eight and a half baths and several stone fireplaces and a two-car garage. The massive 6,892-square-foot house sits on 29.3 secluded acres fronting the Edgartown Great Pond between Slough Cove and Turkeyland Cove, with views of a barrier beach and the ocean beyond.

What is the average income for a Martha's Vineyard resident?

Known for its multimillion-dollar homes, Martha’s Vineyard provides a diverse residential landscape. The average annual household income in Martha’s Vineyard is approximately $172,315¹. The median household income, which provides a better sense of the typical earnings, is around $83,629 per year. Top industries on the island include Hospitality, Retail, Construction and Real Estate.

How many lighthouses does Martha’s Vineyard Have?

Martha’s Vineyard has a rich maritime history, and thus hosts five lighthouses. Each lighthouse is unique in design and history. It seems fitting that the earliest settlers, the Wampanoag tribe, were known as “People of First Light” and have a strong presence in the Gay Head region of the island, which houses one of those lighthouses.

Does it Snow on Martha’s Vineyard?

While you might think of the Vineyard as and think of sun, sea and sand - the winter months can produce snow, with winter temperatures dropping so low that our ponds can freeze over.    The window for snow fall on Martha’s Vineyard typically runs from December until late March, with and average annual snowfall of about 40 inches. February has historically recorded the highest average annual snowfall. This provides an opportunity for cross country skiing at places like the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest and Long Point Wildlife Refuge.