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Hampden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. As of 2004, the population is 461,228. Its county seat is Springfield6.
Law and government
Like an increasing number of 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 region, but there is no county council or commissioner. However, communities are now granted the right to form their own regional compacts for sharing services. See also: MassGov page on counties.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,642 km² (634 mi²). 1,602 km² (618 mi²) of it is land and 41 km² (16 mi²) of it (2.48%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
- Hampshire County (north)
- Worcester County (east)
- Tolland County, Connecticut (southeast)
- Hartford County, Connecticut (south)
- Litchfield County, Connecticut (southwest)
- Berkshire County (west)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 285/km² (738/mi²). There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 116/km² (301/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.10% White, 8.10% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.30% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 8.85% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 15.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 175,288 households out of which 31.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 15.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,718, and the median income for a family was $49,257. Males had a median income of $37,676 versus $27,621 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,541. About 11.40% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities, towns, and villages*
- Agawam
- Blandford
- Brimfield
- Chester
- Chicopee
- East Longmeadow
- Granville
- Hampden
- Holland
- Holyoke
- Longmeadow
- Ludlow
- Monson
- -- Monson Center (a village of Monson)
- Montgomery
- Murrayfield (now named Chester)
- Palmer
- -- Bondsville (a village of Palmer)
- -- Three Rivers (a village of Palmer)
- Russell
- Southwick
- Springfield
- Tolland
- Wales
- West Springfield
- Westfield
- Wilbraham
External link
"Hampden County, Massachusetts"