Hampden County, Massachusetts

Last updated

Hampden County
County
Hampden County Courthouse - DSC03264.JPG
Hampden County Courthouse in Springfield
Seal of Hampden County, Massachusetts.svg
Seal
Map of Massachusetts highlighting Hampden County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts in United States.svg
Massachusetts's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°07′39″N72°34′17″W / 42.12756°N 72.571312°W / 42.12756; -72.571312
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Massachusetts.svg Massachusetts
FoundedAugust 1, 1812
Named after John Hampden
Seat Springfield
Largest citySpringfield
Area
 • Total
634 sq mi (1,640 km2)
 • Land617 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Water17 sq mi (44 km2)  2.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
465,825 Increase2.svg
 • Density755/sq mi (292/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd

Hampden County is a non-governmental county located in the Pioneer Valley of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, Hampden County's population was 465,825. Its traditional county seat is Springfield, [1] the Connecticut River Valley's largest city, and economic and cultural capital; with an estimated population of 154,758, approximately one-third of Hampden County residents live in Springfield. 42°08′N72°38′W / 42.14°N 72.63°W / 42.14; -72.63

Contents

History

Springfield had been Hampshire County's traditional shire town since its founding in 1636, then in 1794 Northampton was made Hampshire County's shire town. [2] Springfield grew at a pace far quicker than Northampton, so was granted shire town-status over its own southerly jurisdiction. [2] The southern division of Hampshire County was separated as Hampden County on August 1, 1812, by a prior act of the Massachusetts General Court on February 25, 1812, with Springfield named as the shire town. [3] [4] The agreement of settlement (regarding assets, liabilities, income and expenses) made between Hampden and Hampshire counties in November 1812 can be found in the Court of Sessions Record Book 1, pages 5–6 of the Hampden County Commissioners' Archives, housed in the Registry of Deeds. [2] Hampden County was named for parliamentarian John Hampden, [5] and is the youngest county by establishment date in the state.

To the north of Hampden County is modern-day Hampshire County; to the west is Berkshire County; to the east is Worcester County; to the south are Litchfield County, Hartford County, and Tolland County in Connecticut. Hampden County is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the most urban county in Western Massachusetts. The Knowledge Corridor surrounding Springfield-Hartford is New England's second most populous urban area (after Greater Boston) with 1.9 million people.

Law and government

As with most Massachusetts counties, Hampden County exists today only as a historical geographic region, and has no county government. All former county functions were assumed by state agencies in 1998. The sheriff and some other regional officials with specific duties are still elected locally to perform duties within the county borders, but there is no county council, county commission or other county governing body. Communities are now granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services. Hampden County and Hampshire County together are part of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Hampden County, Massachusetts [6]
Year Republican  /  Whig Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 92,47444.33%110,93753.18%5,1932.49%
2020 87,31840.02%125,94857.73%4,9112.25%
2016 78,68538.18%112,59054.63%14,8267.19%
2012 73,39236.62%123,61961.69%3,3881.69%
2008 71,35036.09%121,45461.43%4,9162.49%
2004 70,92538.00%113,71060.93%2,0041.07%
2000 59,55834.61%100,10358.17%12,4327.22%
1996 48,51328.17%105,05060.99%18,67610.84%
1992 54,62129.01%86,02645.69%47,61825.29%
1988 74,87243.17%97,33256.13%1,2160.70%
1984 89,33051.05%84,98548.57%6560.37%
1980 72,52840.36%80,36944.72%26,82314.92%
1976 70,00837.78%110,02859.38%5,2542.84%
1972 86,16447.31%94,94552.13%1,0240.56%
1968 55,78331.31%111,37662.52%10,9916.17%
1964 44,29924.86%133,08574.67%8350.47%
1960 72,05437.17%121,06162.46%7130.37%
1956 104,68955.87%81,74343.63%9350.50%
1952 98,64151.86%90,93647.81%6160.32%
1948 70,25641.89%94,60956.41%2,8551.70%
1944 63,29340.71%91,81959.05%3740.24%
1940 64,50241.67%89,47757.80%8170.53%
1936 51,28836.59%80,16457.19%8,7286.23%
1932 55,03244.51%63,18951.11%5,4084.37%
1928 56,06347.18%62,05652.23%7030.59%
1924 46,48959.97%19,07924.61%11,94715.41%
1920 46,74168.92%19,15628.25%1,9232.84%
1916 18,20750.19%17,02846.94%1,0422.87%
1912 11,39337.45%10,62034.91%8,41027.64%
1908 14,48552.19%9,91035.71%3,35812.10%
1904 14,96257.61%9,36936.07%1,6416.32%
1900 13,75754.66%10,42441.41%9893.93%
1896 16,06467.65%6,78728.58%8933.76%
1892 11,37348.82%11,22848.20%6932.98%
1888 9,57749.71%9,17747.64%5112.65%
1884 7,89747.76%7,24543.81%1,3948.43%
1880 8,67357.68%6,19441.19%1701.13%
1876 7,96354.49%6,60545.20%460.31%
1872 6,56561.56%4,10038.44%00.00%
1868 6,76064.61%3,70235.39%00.00%
1864 6,35668.71%2,89431.29%00.00%
1860 5,18464.28%1,99324.71%88811.01%
1856 5,53362.21%2,73030.69%6317.09%
1852 3,45844.50%3,54545.62%7679.87%
1848 3,30643.21%3,06140.01%1,28416.78%
1844 3,41645.79%3,59348.16%4516.05%
1840 3,44150.09%3,31248.21%1171.70%
1836 2,26248.83%2,37051.17%00.00%
County-level state agency heads
Clerk of Courts:Laura S. Gentile (D)
District Attorney:Anthony Gulluni (D)
Register of Deeds: Cheryl Coakley-Rivera (D)
Register of Probate:Suzanne Seguin (I)
County Sheriff:Nicholas Cocchi (D)
State government
State Representative(s):by community
State Senator(s):by community
Governor's Councilor(s):Tara Jacobs (D) 8th District
Paul DePalo (D) 7th District
Federal government
U.S. Representative(s): Richard Neal (D-1st District),
U.S. Senators: Elizabeth Warren (D), Ed Markey (D)
Voter registration and party enrollment as of February 2024 [7]
Unenrolled219,200
Democratic 91,495
Republican 35,661
Libertarian 1,416
Other parties 2,971
Total350,743

Geography

Cities and Towns of Hampden County
1
Chester
2
Blandford
3
Tolland
4
Granville
5
Russell
6
Montgomery
7
Westfield
8
Southwick
9
Holyoke
10
Chicopee
11
West Springfield
12
Springfield
13
Agawam
14
Longmeadow
15
East Longmeadow
16
Ludlow
17
Wilbraham
18
Hampden
19
Palmer
20
Monson
21
Brimfield
22
Wales
23
Holland

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 634 square miles (1,640 km2), of which 617 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (2.7%) is water. [8]

Adjacent counties

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

City neighborhoods

The following are neighborhoods located in Springfield or West Springfield.

The following are neighborhoods located in Chicopee.

  • Aldenville
  • Burnett Road
  • Chicopee Center (Cabotville)
  • Chicopee Falls
  • Fairview
  • Smith Highlands
  • Westover
  • Willimansett

The following are neighborhoods located in Holyoke.

National Parks

State parks

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 28,021—
1830 31,63912.9%
1840 37,36618.1%
1850 51,28337.2%
1860 57,36611.9%
1870 78,40936.7%
1880 104,14232.8%
1890 135,71330.3%
1900 175,60329.4%
1910 231,36931.8%
1920 300,30529.8%
1930 335,49611.7%
1940 332,107−1.0%
1950 367,97110.8%
1960 429,35316.7%
1970 459,0506.9%
1980 443,018−3.5%
1990 456,3103.0%
2000 456,2280.0%
2010 463,4901.6%
2020 465,8250.5%
2024 (est.)464,151 [9] −0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]
1790–1960 [11] 1900–1990 [12]
1990–2000 [13] 2010-2020 [14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 463,490 people, 179,927 households, and 115,961 families residing in the county. [15] The population density was 751.0 inhabitants per square mile (290.0/km2). There were 192,175 housing units at an average density of 311.4 per square mile (120.2/km2). [16] The racial makeup of the county was 76.5% white, 9.0% black or African American, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 9.2% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 20.9% of the population. [15] The largest ancestry groups were: [17]

Of the 179,927 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 38.6 years. [15]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,724 and the median income for a family was $61,061. Males had a median income of $50,207 versus $37,765 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,718. About 13.2% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. [18]

Population density of Hampden County by census block (2020) Hampden County MA population density.png
Population density of Hampden County by census block (2020)

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. [20] [21] [22]

RankTownPer capita
income		Median
household
income		Median
family
income		PopulationNumber of
households
1 Longmeadow Town$50,203$100,092$111,80315,7725,605
2 Wilbraham Town$39,372$88,839$107,87114,1455,393
3 Hampden Town$38,396$79,773$103,1735,1341,960
4 Montgomery Town$36,575$78,125$90,313742291
5 Tolland Town$36,567$67,083$75,625434164
6 Blandford Town$36,412$78,875$82,6561,174462
Massachusetts State$35,051$65,981$83,3716,512,2272,522,409
7 East Longmeadow Town$34,417$76,517$89,57015,5555,660
8 Southwick Town$33,753$74,721$86,9159,4253,657
9 Wales Town$32,129$60,938$70,5361,914773
10 Granville Town$32,050$71,667$85,6251,444554
11 Brimfield Town$31,671$78,380$86,6953,5821,385
12 Monson Town$31,274$70,485$86,3338,5313,318
Monson Center CDP$29,938$50,242$51,6911,880846
13 Agawam City$29,914$65,339$76,25828,40811,506
14 Holland Town$29,835$69,565$79,7792,595998
15 West Springfield City$27,946$54,251$63,95428,32011,571
United States Country$27,915$52,762$64,293306,603,772114,761,359
16 Palmer City$27,694$50,864$58,14412,1615,006
17 Ludlow Town$27,644$60,694$73,04821,1317,876
18 Chester Town$27,630$56,711$69,0631,320528
19 Westfield City$26,605$53,772$72,21041,02515,207
20 Russell Town$25,600$60,398$72,7591,846681
Hampden CountyCounty$25,363$48,866$61,800462,752177,954
21 Chicopee City$23,703$45,763$58,11855,20523,136
22 Holyoke City$20,370$33,915$42,03339,89716,012
23 Springfield City$18,483$35,603$41,454152,99256,211

Education

Colleges and universities

Public school districts

Other institutions

Although no county government exists in Hampden County, a number of private associations, mainly representing trades remain identified with Hampden County. For example the Hampden Agricultural Society opened Hampden Park in Springfield in 1853. To maintain current training among municipal inspectors, in 2005 the nongovernmental Hampden County Plumbing & Gas Inspectors Association was formed. [23] The Hampden County Bar Association provides support and resources to the legal community and those seeking such representation. [24] In part a legacy of the Eastern States Exposition, the Hampden County Improvement League, and Hampden County Beekeepers Association, both provide agricultural education and outreach. [25] [26] The Hampden County Radio Association, an affiliate of the ARRL, offers training in amateur radio and related technology. [27]

Transportation

Major highways

Hampden County Memorial Bridge over the Connecticut, connecting Springfield/West Springfield, c. 1945 Hampden County Bridge and tower, Springfield, Mass (78031).jpg
Hampden County Memorial Bridge over the Connecticut, connecting Springfield/West Springfield, c. 1945

Public transportation

Hampden County is served by both bus and rail service, with intermodal connections at Springfield Union Station, and Holyoke station via the Holyoke Transportation Center. Additionally the region is served by the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, and Westover Metropolitan Airport. A bike share program, ValleyBike, connects Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke and West Springfield to points north in Hampshire County.

Bus

Rail

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Hampden County Incorporated in 1812. Posted October 2, 2018, by Hampden County Registry of Deeds. Accessed August 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ An Act for dividing the county of Hampshire, and erecting and forming the southerly part thereof into a separate county, by the name of Hampden. Passed February 25, 1812, Effective from and after August 1, 1812. Chapter CXXXVII. Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, passed at the Several Sessions of the General Court Holden in Boston. Beginning May 31, 1809, and Ending on February 29, 1812. Vol. V. Publisher: Adams, Rhoades & Co., Boston, 1812. Accessed April 7, 2024.
  4. ↑ 01 AUG 1812 HAMPDEN created from HAMPSHIRE. (Mass. Acts 1812, ch. 137/p. 291) HAMPDEN. Massachusetts : Individual County Chronologies. Massachusetts Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library, 2009. Accessed April 7, 2024.
  5. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  148.
  6. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  7. ↑ "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts" (PDF). Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. February 24, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  14. ↑ "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  15. 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.
  16. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ TIGER/Line Shapefile, 2020, State, Massachusetts, 2020 Census Block, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division, Spatial Data Collection and Products Branch (Point of Contact), retrieved May 22, 2025
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "Hampden County Plumbing & Gas Inspectors Association". Archived from the original on February 17, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Hampden County Bar Association". Hampden County Bar Association.
  25. ↑ "Hampden County Beekeepers Association". Archived from the original on March 2, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Hampden County Improvement League". Archived from the original on January 6, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Hampden County Radio Association". Archived from the original on January 7, 2019.

Further reading

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