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Wilbraham is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 13,473 at the 2000 census.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Wilbraham, please see the article Wilbraham (CDP), Massachusetts.
History
Wilbraham is home to Wilbraham Monson Academy, founded in 1803. Also, the oldest Methodist meeting house in New England is located in the town's center. The town's center is among the largest historical designated areas in the country, with fine examples of colonial and Victorian homes. Wilbraham was first settled in 1730 and was officially incorporated in 1763.
Wilbraham is also the home of Friendly's. Although this restaurant and ice cream corporation was started in Springfield, Massachusetts, it is currently headquartered in Wilbraham. On the Massachusetts Turnpike, hedges along the side of the pike have been trimmed to welcome drivers to "Wilbraham, home of Friendly's."
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 58.1 km² (22.4 mi²). 57.5 km² (22.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.89%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 13,473 people, 4,891 households, and 3,873 families residing in the town. The population density was 234.1/km² (606.3/mi²). There were 5,048 housing units at an average density of 87.7/km² (227.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.40% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 4,891 households out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $65,014, and the median income for a family was $73,825. Males had a median income of $55,600 versus $36,922 for females. The per capita income for the town was $29,854. About 3.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Famous People from Wilbraham
The town is noted for two famous citizens. One is NHL Hockey Star and US Olympian Bill Guerin. The other is NASCAR driver Erin Crocker.
"Wilbraham, Massachusetts"