Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. The population was 8,424 at the 2000 census. It is known for being the home of Williams College. Williamstown is also home to the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theatre Festival which runs every July and August.

For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Williamstown, please see the article Williamstown (CDP), Massachusetts.

History

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Williamstown was first settled in 1749 and was officially incorporated in 1765. The town was originally named West Hoosac. A leading resident, Ephraim Williams, was killed in the French and Indian War, and left a significant sum to the town if they renamed it "Williamstown" and started a free school. The school eventually became Williams College.

Rhode Island Governor William Henry Vanderbilt III and composer Cole Porter were residents of Williamstown.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 121.5 km² (46.9 mi²). 121.4 km² (46.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.04%) is water.

Williamstown is the northwesternmost town in Massachusetts; that is, it shares its northern border with Vermont and its western border with New York.

Demographics

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As of the census² of 2000, there were 8,424 people, 2,753 households, and 1,693 families residing in the town. The population density was 69.4/km² (179.7/mi²). There were 3,053 housing units at an average density of 25.1/km² (65.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.79% White, 2.72% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 3.12% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.77% of the population.

There were 2,753 households out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town the population was spread out with 15.3% under the age of 18, 27.5% from 18 to 24, 16.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,875, and the median income for a family was $67,589. Males had a median income of $50,011 versus $32,845 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,039. About 1.7% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

External links

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Towns in Massachusetts | Berkshire County, Massachusetts | University towns

Williamstown, Massachusetts