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Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts. The city is made up of several neighborhoods, the result of the city's origin as a collection of villages. The main neighborhoods are Aldenville, Willimansett, Chicopee Center (Cabotville), Chicopee Falls, Fairview, and the Burnett Road Neighborhood. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,653. The current mayor is Michael D. Bissonnette.
Chicopee is home to Westover Air Force Base, built in 1940. With its huge runways, it is a backup landing site for the Space Shuttle. Elms College is located in Chicopee.
Chicopee is equally divided between a large Polish-American community and a large French American community. The Chicopee Provision Company is a major producer of Polish kielbasa under the Blue Seal brand. Chicopee also held an annual kielbasa festival until the mid 1990s, at which the World's Largest Kielbasa was proudly unveiled.
Name
Chicopee is a Nipmuck name from chekee, "violent", and pee, "waters", with reference to rapids. The Nipmucks were the native residents of the region before the arrival of the English.
History
Chicopee was settled in 1640, but was a part of Springfield, Massachusetts until 1848. The City's original Charter was granted by the Massachusetts General Court on April 18, 1890. George Sylvester Taylor (1822-1910) became Chicopee's first mayor on January 5, 1891.
In the 19th century it was noted for its cotton mills, woolen mills, brass foundries and iron foundries. The Ames Manufacturing Company made many machines and bronze cannons, and more swords than any other manufacturer in the U.S. at the time. Chicopee was also the first place a gas-powered automobile was made in the U.S.
Geography
Chicopee is located at (42.170159, -72.588630).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 61.9 km² (23.9 mi²). 59.2 km² (22.9 mi²) of it is land and 2.7 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (4.31%) is water. The Chicopee River flows through the north part of the city.
Within Chicopee lies the Chicopee Memorial State Park located off Burnett Road. Formerly known as the Cooley Brook Reservoir and Watershed, the area has been developed into a high use active recreation area. The total area is 575 acres including two 25 acre ponds. Activities include swimming, fishing, picnicking, jogging and biking.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 54,653 people, 23,117 households, and 14,147 families residing in the city. The population density was 922.7/km² (2,389.7/mi²). There were 24,424 housing units at an average density of 412.3/km² (1,067.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.82% White, 2.28% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.90% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.76% of the population.
There were 23,117 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,672, and the median income for a family was $44,136. Males had a median income of $35,585 versus $25,975 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,646. About 9.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
External links
"Chicopee, Massachusetts"