Hampshire County
County
Old Hampshire County Courthouse
Old Hampshire County Courthouse
Official seal of Hampshire County
Seal
Map of Massachusetts highlighting Hampshire County
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts
Map of the United States highlighting Massachusetts
Massachusetts's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°20′N 72°40′W / 42.34°N 72.66°W / 42.34; -72.66
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Founded1662
Named forHampshire, England
SeatNorthampton
Largest townAmherst
Area
 • Total545 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land527 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total162,308 Increase
 • Density308.0/sq mi (118.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd

Hampshire County is a historical and judicial county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 162,308.[1] Its most populous municipality is Amherst (due to seasonal student population; the largest year-round is Northampton), its largest town in terms of landmass is Belchertown, and its traditional county seat is Northampton.[2] The county is named after the county Hampshire, in England.[3] Hampshire County is part of the Springfield, MA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Together with Hampden County, Hampshire County municipalities belong to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.[4]

History

Hampshire County was constituted in 1662 from previously unorganized territory comprising the entire western part of Massachusetts Bay Colony. It included the original towns of Springfield, Northampton, and Hadley. The original Hampshire County also included territory that is now in modern-day Hampden County, Franklin County, and Berkshire County, as well as small parts of modern-day Worcester County. By 1683, three new towns (Westfield (now Southwick), Suffield, and Enfield) had been incorporated south of Springfield. These towns were partly or wholly in the modern state of Connecticut at the time of their incorporation. They resulted in a border dispute between the Connecticut Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In 1731, Worcester County was created, which included the original town of Brookfield (incorporated in 1718 as part of Hampshire County). More territory was lost to Worcester County in 1742 when the town of Western (now Warren) was created and added to Worcester County. Further territorial losses occurred in 1749 when the towns of Enfield, Somers (split off from Enfield in 1734), and Suffield unilaterally joined Connecticut Colony. In 1761, Berkshire County was partitioned from Hampshire County. In 1811, Franklin County was split off from the northern part of Hampshire, and in the following year, Hampden County was split off from its southern part.

Following the dissolution of the county government in 1999, county affairs were managed by the Hampshire Council of Governments. The council itself ceased operations in 2019, due to what an appraisal of the council termed a "fundamentally flawed, unsustainable operational model"; it had no inherent source of income and lacked a regional planning function.[5]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Hampshire County, Massachusetts[6]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 22,281 25.36% 63,362 72.12% 2,211 2.52%
2016 21,790 25.88% 55,367 65.76% 7,036 8.36%
2012 21,480 26.32% 57,359 70.27% 2,782 3.41%
2008 20,618 25.91% 56,869 71.47% 2,083 2.62%
2004 21,315 28.64% 51,680 69.44% 1,427 1.92%
2000 19,202 27.98% 38,543 56.16% 10,881 15.86%
1996 14,787 22.64% 41,844 64.07% 8,678 13.29%
1992 15,694 22.40% 37,879 54.06% 16,498 23.54%
1988 24,331 37.48% 39,834 61.36% 750 1.16%
1984 28,111 43.96% 35,597 55.67% 234 0.37%
1980 21,117 34.99% 27,611 45.75% 11,627 19.26%
1976 22,219 36.99% 34,947 58.17% 2,909 4.84%
1972 24,529 45.72% 28,572 53.25% 553 1.03%
1968 16,270 35.83% 26,666 58.72% 2,476 5.45%
1964 11,385 26.09% 32,058 73.45% 202 0.46%
1960 19,346 42.90% 25,667 56.92% 83 0.18%
1956 26,361 61.93% 16,119 37.87% 84 0.20%
1952 24,141 58.19% 17,247 41.57% 98 0.24%
1948 17,331 48.37% 18,012 50.27% 490 1.37%
1944 14,907 45.62% 17,676 54.09% 97 0.30%
1940 15,651 46.42% 17,823 52.86% 241 0.71%
1936 14,012 45.34% 15,412 49.87% 1,482 4.80%
1932 13,241 49.28% 12,332 45.90% 1,296 4.82%
1928 14,101 52.13% 12,695 46.93% 255 0.94%
1924 13,918 66.23% 5,037 23.97% 2,059 9.80%
1920 13,174 70.10% 5,305 28.23% 314 1.67%
1916 5,748 56.15% 4,202 41.05% 286 2.79%
1912 4,512 46.84% 3,088 32.06% 2,032 21.10%
1908 5,362 60.97% 2,612 29.70% 821 9.33%
1904 5,892 68.25% 2,292 26.55% 449 5.20%
1900 5,550 66.71% 2,392 28.75% 377 4.53%
1896 6,434 76.39% 1,608 19.09% 381 4.52%
1892 4,887 54.61% 3,678 41.10% 384 4.29%
1888 4,731 55.93% 3,403 40.23% 325 3.84%
1884 4,013 53.99% 2,730 36.73% 690 9.28%
1880 5,025 69.91% 2,042 28.41% 121 1.68%
1876 5,020 66.68% 2,507 33.30% 2 0.03%

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 545 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 527 square miles (1,360 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.3%) is water.[7]

Hampshire County is the middle section of the Pioneer Valley and the northern tip of the Hartford–Springfield Knowledge Corridor.

Adjacent counties

Hampshire County is the only county in Massachusetts surrounded in all directions by other counties of Massachusetts: all other counties in the state are adjacent to at least one other state or the open ocean.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179059,656—
180072,43221.4%
181076,2755.3%
182026,487−65.3%
183030,25414.2%
184030,8972.1%
185035,73215.6%
186037,8235.9%
187044,38817.4%
188047,2326.4%
189051,8599.8%
190058,82013.4%
191063,3277.7%
192069,5999.9%
193072,8014.6%
194072,461−0.5%
195087,59420.9%
1960103,22917.8%
1970123,98120.1%
1980138,81312.0%
1990146,5685.6%
2000152,2513.9%
2010158,0803.8%
2020162,3082.7%
2021 (est.)161,572−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2018[12]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families living in the county. The population density was 288 inhabitants per square mile (111/km2). There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 per square mile (43/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.10% White, 1.96% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.40% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.7% were of Irish, 12.8% Polish, 9.6% English, 9.5% French, 8.5% French Canadian, 6.9% Italian and 6.4% German ancestry, 88.8% spoke English, 3.4% Spanish, 1.7% French and 1.4% Polish as their first language.[13] Of the 55,991 households 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.40% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.60% were non-families. 28.60% of households were one person and 10.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 19.60% under the age of 18, 19.30% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.90 males.

The median household income was $46,098 and the median family income was $57,480. Males had a median income of $39,327 versus $30,362 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,685. About 5.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.20% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 158,080 people, 58,702 households, and 34,480 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 299.8 inhabitants per square mile (115.8/km2). There were 62,603 housing units at an average density of 118.7 per square mile (45.8/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 4.5% Asian, 2.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.5% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.7% of the population.[14] The largest ancestry groups were:[16]

Of the 58,702 households, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 41.3% were non-families, and 29.7% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 36.6 years.[14]

The median household income was $59,505 and the median family income was $80,891. Males had a median income of $52,686 versus $43,219 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,367. About 6.2% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.[17]

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.[18][19][20]

Rank Town Per capita
income		 Median
household
income		 Median
family
income		 Population Number of
households
1 Pelham Town $50,367 $83,667 $97,875 1,290 556
2 Williamsburg Town $35,500 $62,851 $86,136 2,543 1,158
Hatfield CDP $35,150 $62,212 $93,750 1,390 665
Massachusetts State $35,051 $65,981 $83,371 6,512,227 2,522,409
3 Westhampton Town $34,337 $82,759 $88,500 1,590 632
Granby CDP $33,819 $77,292 $87,132 1,415 598
4 Hatfield Town $33,452 $53,485 $80,833 3,272 1,560
5 Worthington Town $33,360 $64,063 $75,417 1,181 532
6 Northampton City $33,175 $54,413 $77,998 28,621 11,853
7 Belchertown Town $32,898 $75,502 $94,232 14,479 5,605
8 Goshen Town $32,734 $77,917 $76,667 1,121 443
9 Southampton Town $32,548 $76,396 $85,521 5,758 2,261
10 Chesterfield Town $31,730 $59,063 $69,766 1,043 469
11 Hadley Town $31,727 $75,313 $86,106 5,209 2,048
12 Granby Town $31,409 $70,362 $82,684 6,232 2,619
13 Middlefield Town $31,110 $58,958 $78,281 431 190
14 Easthampton City $30,894 $53,185 $78,166 16,051 7,458
15 Huntington Town $29,245 $55,917 $73,438 2,219 933
16 Cummington Town $29,225 $58,750 $67,143 1,046 430
Hampshire County County $29,113 $60,331 $82,999 157,630 58,921
17 South Hadley Town $29,067 $62,532 $80,794 17,493 6,787
United States Country $27,915 $52,762 $64,293 306,603,772 114,761,359
18 Plainfield Town $27,758 $61,719 $66,250 589 247
Belchertown CDP $27,133 $47,863 $79,135 2,557 1,160
19 Ware Town $26,910 $50,712 $66,287 9,851 4,369
South Amherst CDP $23,823 $61,250 $95,625 4,760 1,435
Ware CDP $22,088 $37,040 $51,193 6,003 2,771
Huntington CDP $21,374 $40,486 $54,375 937 423
20 Amherst Town $21,049 $52,281 $100,304 37,611 8,771
North Amherst CDP $17,167 $33,093 $84,083 7,114 1,953
Amherst Center CDP $14,017 $44,604 $99,087 19,347 2,715

Education

Hampshire County is home to what are known as the "Five Colleges", which include the University of Massachusetts flagship campus and four well-known private colleges:

The Five College Consortium provides course cross-registration between the schools and funds free bus service, provided by Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, between the campuses.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Former towns

The following towns were disincorporated for the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Hampshire County, Massachusetts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 148.
  4. ↑ Kinney, Jim (April 17, 2019). "Hampshire Council of Governments plans to cease operations; hopes to sell historic Northampton courthouse". The Republican. masslive. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ Russell, Jim (April 17, 2019). "Hampshire Council of Governments shutdown a 'sad but necessary event,' former councilor says". The Republican. Springfield, Mass.
  6. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ↑ "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  19. ↑ "ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  20. ↑ "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
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