Tolland, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Tolland is a town
in Hampden County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. The population was 485 at the 2010 census, making it the smallest town in Hampden County
by population. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. Tolland formerly had a popular "Black Fly Day" parade, which was celebrated in June. It has been replaced with a picnic on the town green. In 2010 there will be a bicentennial celebration to celebrate yet another 100 year mark.
. Tolland was officially incorporated in 1810.
Tolland is bordered on the north by Otis
and Blandford
, on the east by Granville, on the south by Hartland, CT and Colebrook, CT, and on the west by Sandisfield.
Tolland State Forest
and Granville State Forest
protect a part of the town's area.
of 2000, there were 426 people, 169 households, and 114 families residing in the town. The population density
was 13.5 people per square mile (5.2/km²). There were 478 housing units at an average density of 15.1 per square mile (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.42% White, 0.94% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 169 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples
living together, 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% 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 3.06.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 114.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,125, and the median income for a family was $65,417. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $35,278 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $30,126. About 2.3% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Hampden County
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 485 at the 2010 census, making it the smallest town in Hampden County
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile...
by population. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Massachusetts metropolitan area
The Springfield Metropolitan Area is a region that is socio-economically and culturally tied to the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Springfield metropolitan statistical area as consisting of three counties in Western Massachusetts. As of...
. Tolland formerly had a popular "Black Fly Day" parade, which was celebrated in June. It has been replaced with a picnic on the town green. In 2010 there will be a bicentennial celebration to celebrate yet another 100 year mark.
History
Tolland was first settled in 1750 when it was part of neighboring GranvilleGranville, Massachusetts
Granville is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,566 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History and Description :...
. Tolland was officially incorporated in 1810.
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 32.8 square miles (85 km²), of which 31.6 square miles (81.8 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (3.48%) is water.Tolland is bordered on the north by Otis
Otis, Massachusetts
Otis is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,365 at the 2000 census....
and Blandford
Blandford, Massachusetts
Blandford is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the home of the Blandford Ski Area.- History :...
, on the east by Granville, on the south by Hartland, CT and Colebrook, CT, and on the west by Sandisfield.
Tolland State Forest
Tolland State Forest
Tolland State Forest is a Massachusetts state park located in Otis. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-Description:...
and Granville State Forest
Granville State Forest
Granville State Forest is a Massachusetts state park located in Granville and Tolland in the southern Berkshire Hills along the state's southern border with Connecticut. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation...
protect a part of the town's area.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 426 people, 169 households, and 114 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 13.5 people per square mile (5.2/km²). There were 478 housing units at an average density of 15.1 per square mile (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.42% White, 0.94% African American, 1.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 169 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% 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 3.06.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 114.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,125, and the median income for a family was $65,417. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $35,278 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $30,126. About 2.3% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
Library
The Tolland Public Library was established in 1892. In fiscal year 2008, the town of Tolland spent 0.97% ($10,271) of its budget on its public library—some $22 per person.External links
- MHC Survey Reconnaissance Town Report: Tolland Massachusetts Historical Commission, 1982.