Martha's Vineyard (including nearby Chappaquiddick Island), is an 87.48 square mile (231.75 km²) island off the southern coast of Cape Cod (both forming a part of the Outer Lands region) and is often known simply as "the Vineyard". Located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in Dukes County, Massachusetts (the rest of the county consists of Cuttyhunk and the other Elizabeth Islands and the island of Nomans Land). It was home to one of the earliest known deaf communities; consequently, a special dialect of sign language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, developed on the island. The island is primarily known as a summer colony, and is accessible only by boat and by air. Nevertheless, its year-round population has grown quite considerably since the 1960s. A study by the Martha's Vineyard Commission found that the cost of living on the island is 60 percent higher than the national average and housing prices are 96 percent higher. Full Article.